Married to my Archenemy

Adam looked about six or seven years old, with big eyes, long eyelashes, chubby cheeks, and curly hair, making him irresistibly cute.

Isabella smiled, rubbing his hair. "Of course you can."

The two golf rookies started playing happily while Ethan invited Anthony and his wife for a friendly game.

Anthony, a golf enthusiast, nodded in agreement, and his wife joined as a referee. While the "kids" played, the adults engaged in a competitive match.

The morning flew by with everyone enjoying themselves. Adam grew attached to Isabella, holding onto her hand and asking, "Big sister, can we have lunch together?"

Pinching his cheeks fondly, Isabella said, "Ask your parents. If they agree, of course we can."

Adam eagerly turned to his parents. However, Anthony's wife gently declined, "Not today, we still have other plans."

Adam, though disappointed, sensibly relented. "Okay."

Reluctantly letting go of Isabella's hand, he waved goodbye.

Back in the car, Isabella immediately asked Ethan, "Did it work?"

Ethan's lips curved into a smirk. "They recognized me."

"It's no surprise," he explained. "Anthony has access to all the information about the bidding companies."

"So what did you say to them?" Isabella pressed.

"I told them my favorite thing about golf is that every stroke is entirely in my own hands—win or lose, it's all up to me."

His words hinted at Anthony's personality—cold, firm, rational, and principled.

For lunch, they chose an upscale Italian restaurant to celebrate Ethan's rare hole-in-one, believing the feat would bring them good fortune. As luck would have it, Anthony's family was also dining there.

Though they exchanged polite greetings, neither side disturbed the other.

During the meal, Isabella unknowingly smeared some sauce on her lips, and Ethan gently wiped it off with a napkin.

Isabella frowned. "What are you doing?"

"Maintaining appearances," Ethan replied nonchalantly.

Annoyed, Isabella wished she hadn't suggested pretending to be a loving couple. Couldn't they have simply posed as business partners?

Not one to let Ethan have the upper hand, Isabella started feeding him food as well. Unfortunately, everything she picked turned out to be his favorites, much to her frustration.

Back at the hotel, a figure suddenly jumped on Ethan.

"Ethan, I'm here! Did you miss me?"

The unexpected visitor caught Isabella off guard. "What's going on?" she asked in astonishment.

Ethan frowned as he pulled the individual off him.

Ethan's brows furrowed even tighter. "Emma? Who let you in?"

Emma pouted unhappily. "Ethan, I came all this way to see you and cheer you on. Why are you so cold to me?"

"Where did you get the room key?" Ethan's tone became unusually severe as his brows knitted. There were sensitive project-related materials in his room. If anyone could come and go as they pleased, the consequences could be disastrous. Even though Emma wasn't exactly an outsider, the matter still concerned him.

"It was given to me by Larry," Emma explained quickly. Larry was Ethan's secretary. "Don't blame him; it was my idea to surprise you and not let you know that I also came. So, he gave me the key card."

Ethan massaged his temples in frustration. "I'm swamped today and don't have time to entertain you."

Standing at the side, Isabella muttered a soft "Huh?" The relationship between the two seemed unusual.

"I know how important this project is to you," Emma continued, clutching Ethan's arm. "I came with the bidding team to show my support. I've even planned a three-day seaside retreat for team building after the bidding concludes so we can relax."

Ethan sighed. It seemed he had little choice but to agree to her plans. "Fine, but don't forget to let Alexander know. If anything happens, it's on me to answer for it."

"I'm already 20 and working; I don't need to report everything to Alexander," Emma grumbled before changing the topic. "Ethan, have you eaten yet? Shall we go downstairs for dinner?"

"No need," Ethan replied coolly. "I already ate with Isabella."

"What?" Emma's eyes widened in shock. "Why is Isabella here? Who even let her in?"

To avoid further unpleasant remarks, Isabella stepped forward and greeted Emma with a polite smile. "Good evening, Miss Thomas. We meet again."

Emma froze as the rest of her complaints died in her throat. Why hadn't Larry mentioned Isabella's presence?

In truth, Larry had no idea either. Ethan had only informed him that a translator was already arranged without specifying her identity. Moreover, Isabella had independently booked her ticket online rather than going through Larry.

Emma quickly consoled herself, suspecting Isabella must have pressured Ethan into letting her tag along—a pattern from the last three years. She immediately felt a little better.

Ethan's phone suddenly rang. He excused himself to take the call in the adjoining room, leaving Emma and Isabella alone.

Once Ethan was out of sight, Emma dropped her pretense, glaring fiercely at Isabella. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to disturb Ethan while he's working?"

"I'm working too," Isabella responded with an unflappable smile.

"You?" Emma sneered. "What could someone like you possibly do? Isabella, you're just an abandoned woman, clinging to men in desperation. But no matter how hard you try, you'll never succeed with Ethan. So why not stop humiliating yourself?"

Isabella ignored the biting comment, shaking her head lightly. "Miss Thomas, it seems only you define a woman's worth by whether a man stays with her or not. Personally, I see women as independent beings. Divorce isn't shameful—it's just another chapter of life. But it seems you've misdirected your efforts. Perhaps you should focus on loving yourself before trying to win someone else over."

"Hmph!" Emma scoffed. "You're just spouting this nonsense to save face because you know Ethan will never truly accept you. You may act nonchalant, but I know deep down you're ashamed. Just give up and get lost already. Someone like you doesn't deserve to stay by Ethan's side."

"I'm here because Ethan asked me to be," Isabella responded simply. "If you think I should leave, I suggest you take it up with him."

Emma's smug demeanor faltered briefly before she declared, "Ethan spoils me. If I ask him to send you away, he'll do it without hesitation. Don't believe me? Let's test it out."

"Alright" Isabella shrugged indifferently.