Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 389

Chapter 380 Sleepless Night

Chapter 389 Sleepless Night

Lynn looked away, her cheeks-instantly warming.

“Just… average looking.”

+10 Prea Cons

“Hmm, average,” Lucas repeated with a low chuckle. He bit his lower lip slightly, gave a slow nod, and a faint, unreadable smile touched the corner of his mouth.

That night, Lynn didn’t dare sleep at all. She locked the guest room door from the inside and tossed and turned on the large, unfamiliar bed.

Finally, she called her mother.

“Mom, are you home?” Lynn asked cautiously.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong? You’re still up so late.” Having been through her own share of life’s twists, Lynn’s mother was surprised to

receive a call at this hour.

Hadn’t things progressed between the two young people already?

That was the rumor circulating in their circle-that wedding celebrations weren’t far off.

“I want to take a few days off and come home…”

“We are on a trip abroad; the house is empty. No point in coming back.”

Lynn was at a loss for words.

S

After hanging up with her mother, she tried calling her dad. The/phone rang once and was declined. When she tried again, it went straight to voicemail.

Frowning, she flopped face down onto the bed and pulled a pillow over her head.

What in the world was going on…

“Ding-”

A notification chimed from her phone.

She picked it up and saw a message from Isabelle.

“Heard you’re on leave?” Isabelle had written.

୮

Seeing Isabelle’s name, Lynn’s heart skipped a beat, and a wave of guilt washed over her. She wasn’t good at lying; if Isabelle as certain questions, she really wouldn’t know how to evade them gracefully.

Fortunately, she hadn’t been at the hospital these past few days. She could simply claim she was out of the loop.

“Yes, I’m on leave for about a week or so,” Lynn replied carefully.

Isabelle paused for quite a while after that.

Chapter 392 Family Crisle

Chapter 392 Family Crisis

Camellia and Eric had also rushed back from out of town.

It seemed serious.

Bruce checked his phone, locked the screen, and decided to inform Damian & little later.

“Why wouldn’t I be able to get up?” Lucas chuckled, then suddenly remembered something and looked at Damian with disbelief.

“Tsk-” Lucas laughed softly and shook his head.

Damian watched him with mild amusement. “Should I start setting aside a wedding gift fund?

“Even if there’s no wedding, my thirtieth birthday deserves a proper celebration. You might as well prepare something in advance” Lucas stretched his legs out on the sofa, idly scrolling through his phone.

He kept opening Lynn’s contact profile and closing it again.

It dawned on him that she had probably blocked him.

Well, that’s one way to handle things.

“Maybe it’s better if you stay single. Lynn is a good person,” Damian remarked.

“What, am I a bad guy? I’m a decent person too.”

“A guy…” Damian smited.

Still calling himself a “guy” at thirty.

Lucas glanced up, frowning at Damian’s irritatingly knowing expression.

Damian held back another smile.

“Getting discharged in a couple of days?”

“Yeah, check-up tomorrow. If everything looks good, I’m heading back.”

୮

“Back where?” Lucas asked.

“Back to Cross Manor.”

He planned to stay there at least another week or so, until he could walk without a noticeable limp, before returning home.

Lucas hummed in acknowledgment, his mind elsewhere.

“Still not leaving?” Damian adjusted himself against the pillows.

“Where would I go?”

“Anywhere you want. You’re just hanging around here killing time, aren’t you? I’m going to nap, then call my wife later. Want to listen in?”

12:43 pm

ppp

Chapter 392 Family Cricic

+10 Free Coins

tucas had been unusually free lately, with little on his schedule. Normally, he’d work out at home or shoot pool at the club-it was hard to get him to go out at all

These past few days, even with Damian’s parents taking shifts, Lucas would still show up and linger for a while, usually leaving around mealtime.

That pattern had started around the time Lynn moved into his place.

With Lynn’s knee still bothering her, she’d been staying in, and Lucas hadn’t dared to go back too early.

Damian could see right through it-it reminded him exactly of that tentative phase he and Isabelle bad gone through.

“Don’t follow my old playbook. A man’s got to make a move.”

This wasn’t about playing it cool-stay distant too long, and you might lose her for good.

Lucas remained silent.

Bruce came in shortly after, and Lucas finally took his leave.

“Mrs. Cross has returned to Foster Manor,” Bruce reported.

“Mm.” Damian had already been informed half an hour earlier.

Abigail and Jonathan had arrived at Foster Manor by then, and Abigail had texted Damian the update.

Christian had suffered a mild stroke and was now resting at home under the care of the family physician. At his age, every health scare was concerning.

That was why everyone had rushed back.

Theodore had also gone with Louis to pay a visit.

With so many family members gathered, Bruce’s presence wasn’t needed.

When Isabelle arrived at Foster Manor, Sophia and the others were already waiting in the main living room.

Christian was in his bedroom being examined, and everyone else waited anxiously outside.

Sophia frowned the moment she saw Isabelle, her lips pursing in clear displeasure.

r

Jonathan, standing beside her, gave her ear a light tug, redirecting her gaze. “Behave. Or next time I really will send you to that research station in Aridia.”

“Ouch…” Sophia grumbled-she hadn’t even said anything.

Isabelle glanced over. “Jonathan.”

Caught between complex relationships, she settled on the simpler term.

Her eyes moved to Sophia. It had been a while-Sophia seemed more grounded now, though she’d tanned considerably and lost some of her former polished sheen.

“How is Grandfather?” Isabelle asked.

Chapter 392 Family Crici

+10 Free Coins

He hasn’t been well for some tires. The doctor has been visiting daily, but his condition worsened these past two days.” Jonathan explained.

Isabelle nodded. After a brief exchange, she went to find Caroline.

Caroline was speaking quietly with Regina and Abigail. Isabelle thought she even overheard Damian’s name,

She didn’t dwell on it–they probably knew about Damian’s surgery, but she refused to let it upset her now.

Mostly, she felt a quiet warmth in her chest.

She was grateful to have so many people who cared for her.

“You didn’t have to come. We have everything under control here,” Caroline said, looking Isabelle over with concern.

“I was just at home with nothing to do,” Isabelle replied calmly.

Abiga I stood nearby, offering a gentle smile as if she wanted to say something but held back.

Isabelle observed her. From the back, Abigail still carried herself gracefully-one wouldn’t guess she was several months pregnant unless seeing her from the front.

The bedroom door opened, and the doctor stepped out. Everyone gathered closer.

“Hospital admission is advisable,” the doctor stated plainly.

The message was clear.

Louis and Eric immediately began making arrangements.

Christian was transferred to the hospital by private ambulance, and the family followed in separate cars.

Upon arrival, they coincidentally ran into Collin, who was bringing lunch to Linda. As fate would have it, Christian’s assigned room was right next to hers.

୮

Chapter 393 Shared Meal

Chapter 393 Shared Meal

+10 Free Come

They passed each other in the corridor, but everyone was preoccupied and didn’t have a moment to exchange greetings.

Christian needed to go for a series of scans, so Eric and Jonathan accompanied him. The others waited in the hospital room, making small talk until Jonathan gradually suggested everyone head home for the day.

Caroline stayed behind in the room. Isabelle and Regina left together and ran into Collin just outside the door.

It seemed as though he had been waiting there the whole time.

“How is your grandfather?” Collin asked.

2

“An old condition acting up again. He had some stressful business matters recent probably triggered his blood pressure,” Isabelle said, not entirely certain of the cause herself and keeping her reply general.

“Are you holding up alright?” Collin’s eyes lingered on her.

Regina shot him a disdainful look. What business is it of yours?

“Actually, it’s perfect timing running into a cultured man like you. We’ve been choosing baby names lately and can’t decide. Mr. Dorfman, would you mind giving us your opinion?” Regina took out her phone.

She and Louis had started brainstorming names as soon as they learned Isabelle was pregnant and had saved quite a few thoughtful options.

“That won’t be necessary. I don’t have much experience in that area, Collin replied lightly, his gaze still resting on Isabelle.

“True, Mr. Dorfman, you must be around thirty now, right? Still no girlfriend-what a pity. But you really should hurry. Men who stay single tend to age faster, you know.”

“Regina, I’m getting hungry,” Isabelle interjected, suspecting Damian might have inherited his sharp tongue from somewhere.

Collin had saved her life, and she remained grateful, but she didn’t want emotions to complicate that debt. Even though Damian had struck him, she wouldn’t forget what Collin had done for her.

“Collin, we’ll be on our way now,” Isabelle said.

“Alright.” Collin nodded.

He noted that even with such a significant family matter unfolding today, Damian was nowhere to be seen.

ched them walk away.

ed her arm through Regina’s as they made their way downstairs, chatting and even taking Regina’s phone to scroll

list of names.

all this? We don’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl yet, and you’ve already picked out names?” Isabelle laughed while Reg ully guided her along.

We’ll love the baby either way, so we prepared options for both. You can choose later, or we can let the baby pick by drawing to Regina said with a warm smile. “I’m about to become a grandmother, after all.”

Chapter 393 Shared Meal

She reached over and gently rested a hand on Isabelle’s belly

+10 Free Coins

“Dinner probably won’t be at the mom house törnight. How about we head to your place?” Regina suggested. “Damian is so secretive. We had no idea when he bought that house-only heard it was fully renovated afterward. We’ve never even had the chance to visit, I feel like I haven’t cooked a single meal for you yet. I’m starting to worry I’m a terrible mother-in-law.”

“Well then you’ll have to come cook for me often, of that ‘terrible mother-in-law’ title might stick,” Isabelle teased, laughing until her sides ached.

Damian had originally planned to move in after the wedding, but his impatience had gotten the better of him.

It was true Regina hadn’t cooked for Isabelle. Someone of Regina’s social standing rarely had reason to step into a kitchen.

Besides, Louis was the ultimate doting husband and would never allow Regina hear a stove, let alone actually cook.

Even Damian had probably rarely tasted his mother’s cooking.

Downstairs, James drove them back.

It looked like Damian wouldn’t be getting a home-cooked meal from Isabelle tonight.

業

Meanwhile, Lynn stood in the kitchen, her phone propped up against a recipe holder as she carefully followed a video tutorial. She dropped a pat of butter into the hot skillet, watching as it melted and sizzled. The scent of rosemary and minced garlic filled the air as they hit the foaming butter.

Humming softly to herself, she held a spatula in one hand and used the other to cautiously hold up the pan lid like a shield, looking entirely at ease.

She turned up the volume on her phone and carefully laid the steak into the center of the hot pan.

“Sizzle…”

The noise in the kitchen intensified, and a thin veil of aromatic smoke began to rise. The exhaust fan whirred diligently but struggled to keep up with the rich scents blooming from the skillet.

She quickly moved her phone further back and used the spatula to gently adjust the position of the steak.

“Medium-well, medium-well. Do me proud now, don’t burn on me…” she murmured, almost as if speaking to the

pan

itself.

Pursing her lips, she resumed her quiet humming.

Even though she knew her cooking skills were far from expert, she was at least confident she could cook it through properly.

Lucas’ fridge was surprisingly well-stocked, but since she genuinely didn’t know how to prepare much, she’d opted for what seemed simplest-a steak.

Lucas hadn’t returned at noon. He’d sent a text saying he’d gone to the office and told her to find something to eat on her own. new housekeeper wouldn’t start until tomorrow.

For lunch, Lynn had snacked on some treats she’d secretly brought from home the day before, then ended up napping straight through the afternoon.

12:44 pm ⚫ ppp

Chapter 393 Shared Meal

+10 Free Cons

She’d considered waiting for Lucas to come back and cook, but hunger had gotten the better of her, and with no idea when he’d return, she decided to give it a try herself.

“Whoosh…”

A sudden burst of flame leapt from the pan along with a spray of tiny oft spatters, startling Lynn and making her jump back two steps with a small gasp.

Chapter 394 Cooking lessanG

Chapter 394 Cooking Lessons

Unexpectedly, she bumped into a firm, warm chest. The heat of his breath brushed the top of her head, uncomfortably close.

Lynn didn’t even have time to look up before the familiar scent of him washed over her.

Almost immediately, her hand was enveloped by his much larger, rougher one. His other hand settled firmly on her waist, steadying

her.

He took the lid from her grip and covered the skillet, then turned off the burner.

Lynn’s petite frame was nearly enveloped by his broad, V-shaped silhouette. She was completely surrounded by his presence.

Her heart skipped, then began to pound erratically.

The warmth from his body seeped through both their layers of clothing, unmistakable and intense.

“Are you hungry?”

His voice was low and a little rough. He took the spatula from her hand and set it aside.

Lynn was too flustered to answer.

“Did you eat lunch?” He frowned.

“No…” Lynn replied guiltily. She turned and took two steps back, putting about three feet between them.

Lucas let out a quiet, amused snort as he noted the distance she’d/created.

He’d received an urgent call at noon and had to rush to the office. It took a while to handle everything. Only afterward did he remember there was someone at home who hadn’t eaten. He’d assumed she would manage something, but it turned out she couldn’t cook at all.

He wondered how she’d survived on her own all this time.

“Did you burn yourself?”

“Huh?”

Lynn had expected him to scold her-at the very least, not to be in this oddly calm state.

It really seemed like Lucas had changed. Had he actually… softened?

“I asked if you burned yourself.” Lucas raised his voice slightly.

Lynn snapped back to reality. Right-still as irritable as ever. Since when would Lucas ever be gentle?

r

But she accepted it. She was already used to his temperament and never imagined he would change for her.

She didn’t expect him to, either.

She only hoped that after they married, he’d stay out of her way as much as possible.

Chapter 391 Morning Harmy

to avoid the closeness.

Lucas didn’t respond, neven with a glance.

Lynn’s refusal seemed to simply evaporate into the air

He would definitely do it later.

She held her cup with both hands, sipping slowly while stealing glances at him.

What kind of man was he, really?

Lynn couldn’t figure him out.

*****

*

When Lucas arrived at the hospital, Damian was contentedly finishing the breakfast Bruce had “smuggled” in for him.

“Looks like I’m unnecessary,” Lucas remarked casually, setting a container of broth on the bedside table.

“I thought you might not make it out of bed this morning,” Damian said with a faint smile.

Bruce slipped out of the room and quietly updated Isabelle from the hallway.

“He finished everything.”

“Lunch is already simmering on the stove. If he wants more, just warth it up. There’s a pot of short ribs stewing for you too. I’m heading out for a bit,” Isabelle replied.

“Where are you going, Mrs. Cross? I’ll come with you.” Bruce hadn’t forgotten his duty.

“Back to Foster Manor. No need to come.” Isabelle seemed to be in a hurry and didn’t send anything further.

Isabelle had James drive her there.

Christian was bedridden. She’d left as soon as she got the news, and she’d beard that even Sophia, who was usually away at her remote retreat, had hurried back.

r

Chapter 389 Sleepless Night

+10 Free Coins

She was weighing whether Lynn knew about the situation. if she did, wouldn’t asking directly risk exposing her own knowledge?

Naturally, she wouldn’t confront yor point-blank-kynn was originally his attending physician, and they weren’t close enough for heart to heart talks anyway.

But as a casual acquaintance, Lynn would probably answer general questions openly.

Isabelle’s guess proved correct.

“There have been all sorts of rumors lately at the company about Damian’s leg. I really hope they’re not true, so I wanted to ask your advice on recovery and care.” Isabelle’s question was tactfully worded.

Lynn breathed a quiet sigh of relief and sent over some general notes on leg injury recovery and aftercare.

Isabelle took them down diligently.

They exchanged messages for about ten more minutes before the conversation wound down.

Isabelle didn’t probe further.

Once the chat ended, Lynn’s earlier unease came flooding back.

She still wished someone would talk to her, even a stranger-it would at least distract her a little.

She was terrible with unfamiliar beds; she was sure she wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight.

Getting up, she looked around the guest room.

There wasn’t even a bottle of water in here.

With a sigh, she tiptoed out of the room, padded into the kitchen, took a glass from the cupboard, rinsed it, and poured herself some water.

Curling her legs up, she settled into a corner of the large sectional sofa, sipping the warm water slowly. Her gaze drifted through t expansive floor-to-ceiling window, tracing the scattered moonlight outside-bright at first, then gradually swallowed by gatherin clouds.

Summer nights were always so unpredictable.

Clear and starry one moment, overcast the next.

Just like whatever was happening between her and Lucas.

They really could have had nothing to do with each other.

r

She suddenly remembered that things between them began to shift after the joint relief effort following the floods in Laurel Val She recalled going to discuss calling off the engagement-she could tell Lucas had been agreeable to the idea then.

But after that accident, Lucas’ attitude had done a complete one-eighty.

Lucas probably once thought she was just another pretty, privileged socialite, no different from the rest, which was why he ha

been interested.

12:43 pm

Chapter 370 Sleepless Matt