Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 18

This sort of thing was hardly a big deal in Richard's eyes.

Just a petty spat between his two daughters-nothing more than a flash of

jealousy.

But he couldn't have this kind of childish spectacle turning into a laughingstock at the Vaughan family's 30th anniversary gala.

It would be a stain on the family's reputation and dignity.

Richard just wanted the matter settled quickly. Glancing at Pearl's tear-stained face, he turned to Isadora and said, "Isadora, hand the necklace back to Pearl for now. We'll discuss this after the party."

As soon as the words were out, the guests turned their eyes on Isadora, and she felt the weight of their sympathy, pity, and thinly veiled amusement.

She watched Eleanor comforting Pearl, Richard shielding Pearl-together, they looked every bit the picture of a loving, united family.

And she? She felt like the unwelcome outsider, the villain ruining their peace.

lump in her throat, determined not to

Suddenly-

"If this diamond necklace is meant as a

next moment, Isadora found herself enveloped in a familiar but distant

up and

furrowed instinctively, and she immediately pulled

tie perfectly straight, adding to his air of

cold, a presence so imposing that the entire room seemed to

was stunned by

even noticed when Magnus

family's influence far outstripped that of the Vaughans-and

Pearl or Isadora didn't matter

to defend Isadora, the balance had clearly shifted in

over. "Magnus, I'm afraid you've walked in on a bit of family squabble. Just a harmless misunderstanding between my daughters. The diamond necklace was always meant as a wedding gift from the Vaughan family-naturally, it belongs

fell as she heard the sudden change in

Eleanor, silently pleading for her mother to stand up

Eleanor understood immediately.