Chapter 86: When Enemies Meet 3

Charlotte gestured toward the villa behind them.

"Isn’t that Morgan Foster’s beach house?"

"Exactly," Phoebe chimed in. "The whole country saw the scandal yesterday. And today she’s here. That’s hardly a coincidence."

A heavy silence descended.

Every pair of eyes turned toward Isobel.

She neither flinched nor lowered her gaze.

Instead, she looked at Shania with unnerving calm, as though the accusation had failed to shake her.

Just as she parted her lips to answer—

A deep male voice sliced through the tense silence.

"She’s here because I invited her."

Everyone turned toward the voice.

Standing a few meters away was Morgan Foster. The morning sun behind him cast a golden glow around his tall frame, making his commanding presence even more imposing.

Beside him stood Kristine, their fingers still intertwined as though they had no intention of letting go.

Morgan’s gaze swept across the group, lingering briefly on each face before coming to rest on Isobel. Seeing that she looked okay, the hardness in his expression eased—if only for a fleeting moment.

Then he shifted his attention to Shania.

"I already addressed this matter yesterday," he said evenly. "The facts were made public for anyone willing to read them."

His eyes turned cold.

"But it appears some people are more interested in spreading slander than learning the truth."

The weight of his gaze was enough to make Shania’s confidence crumble.

She lowered her head, suddenly finding the sand beneath her feet far more interesting than meeting Morgan Foster’s eyes.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the beach.

"Mr. Foster," Charlotte said, stepping forward with an apologetic smile. "My friends spoke out of turn. I apologize on their behalf."

Morgan acknowledged her with a brief glance before his eyes shifted to the man standing beside her.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, though it never reached his eyes.

"What a coincidence, Kristoff."

"It is," Kristoff replied, equally composed. "I didn’t expect to find you here either."

His gaze flickered to Kristine before returning to Morgan.

"A pity Alexander isn’t here. It could have been the babies’ play date."

For the first time, Morgan’s expression changed.

"Wouldn’t that ruin your date with your fiancee?" His voice sounded mocking.

Kristoff’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. The way he highlighted the word fiancee seemed jarring to his ears.

The air between the two men seemed to tighten, heavy with an unspoken history that no one else present could understand.

Neither man spoke.

Neither looked away.

The crashing waves were suddenly the only sound on the beach.

Kristine cleared her throat softly.

"Honey, the sun’s getting stronger," she said, her gentle voice flowing like a soothing melody. "We should take the babies inside."

Morgan turned to her.

The sternness that had hardened his features moments ago melted away. His eyes softened with unmistakable affection as they settled on Kristine.

"You’re right."

He gestured toward the Isobel and the two nannies.

The two nannies emerged from the shallow water, each carefully cradling a baby which they wrapped snugly in a dry towel.

Without another word, Morgan slipped his hand into Kristine’s and led the way back toward the villa. The nannies followed behind them, with the Isobel bringing up the rear.

Kristoff’s gaze lingered on Isobel until she disappeared up the stone staircase.

He wasn’t the only one watching.

Phoebe’s eyes remained fixed on Isobel’s retreating figure, her expression slowly hardening with disbelief.

Even from behind, Isobel carried herself with effortless grace. The damp white cover-up clung lightly to her silhouette, hinting at the elegant curves beneath without revealing more than it should.

Phoebe clicked her tongue.

"Didn’t she just give birth?" she whispered to Shania.

"That’s what everyone online said," Shania murmured back. "She’s the twins’ wet nurse."

Phoebe frowned.

"Then how does she look like that?"

Her eyes narrowed as Isobel vanished into the villa.

"I would’ve never guessed she’d recently had a baby."

For the first time that morning, Phoebe couldn’t help comparing herself to another woman...

...and she didn’t like the outcome.

Charlotte on the other hand clenched her jaw so tightly it ached.

The conversation between Phoebe and Shania had been little more than a whisper, yet every word reached her ears with painful clarity.

They envied Isobel’s looks and figure.

Her nails dug into her palms as irritation surged through her. Ever since they had arrived at the beach, everyone’s attention seemed to drift toward that woman.

Worst of all...

Kristoff had been no different.

She had caught him watching Isobel more than once. His gaze had lingered far longer than she cared to admit, and the memory made her stomach twist.

If she had noticed it, then Phoebe and Shania must have noticed it too.

The thought humiliated her.

She had wanted to flaunt Kristoff’s devotion to her but the reality was the opposite.

She refused to remain there another second.

"I think we should head back," she said, forcing a smile that failed to reach her eyes. "The sun’s getting too hot."

Charlotte shot Phoebe and Shania a subtle look.

It was enough.

The two women immediately understood.

"You go ahead," Phoebe said with an easy smile, pulling out her cellphone. "Shania and I will stay a little longer. The lighting is perfect—we want to take a few photos."

Charlotte gave an almost imperceptible nod before slipping her hand through Kristoff’s arm.

"Come on," she said sweetly. "Let’s head back."

Without waiting for a response, she guided him toward the stone staircase leading to the villa.

Only after they had disappeared from sight and were well out of earshot did Phoebe lowered her phone.

She turned her gaze toward Morgan’s beachfront villa, her expression thoughtful.

"There’s something very strange about that woman."

Shania looked at her in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Phoebe crossed her arms.

"Morgan Foster defended her without a second thought."

"So did Kristoff," Shania added.

Phoebe nodded slowly.

"Exactly."

Her eyes remained fixed on the villa.

"Two powerful men. Both protecting the same woman."

She paused, piecing everything together.

"That’s no coincidence."

A slow smile spread across her lips.

"I think we’ve underestimated her."

Shania’s brows knitted together.

"You think she’s hiding something?"

Phoebe’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"I don’t know."

She slipped her phone back into her beach bag.

"But I’m going to find out exactly who Isobel is."