Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 176

"Oh?" Deanna's sharp gaze flicked over the file in Isadora's hands, but she made no move to take it. “Miss Vaughan, are you turning your nose up at my gift?"

Isadora drew in a deep, steadying breath.

She knew Deanna had been waiting for her today, deliberately setting this meeting. Otherwise, with the Vaughan family's modest standing in the business world, how could they possibly have caught the eye of the Fitzgerald matriarch?

Not to mention, the Fitzgeralds were one of the most elite families in Capitolion. Every season, the world's finest new jewelry designs were sent straight to their door for their choosing.

Isadora lifted her eyes and met Deanna's gaze. Her voice was unwavering. "I don't want to make a deal with you."

Deanna's lined face was unreadable, but her deep-set eyes fixed on Isadora, unwavering.

Her voice, worn with age, betrayed no emotion. "What's this, then? Have you set your sights on Victor? Want to be the next Mrs. Fitzgerald?"

Isadora's hand trembled as she clutched the file, her expression shifting, her throat tightening painfully.

"Mrs. Fitzgerald, I know my position is awkward and I'm hardly qualified," she said, her voice low but steady. "I don't want to marry into your family, but I... I care about Victor. I'm sorry, but I won't leave him."

As the words left her mouth, the crushing weight in Isadora's chest seemed to lighten, if only a little.

She was still Isadora-at her core, always bold in love.

even tried to pull away. But in the end, she chose to follow

pinpoint when she'd fallen for him. Maybe it was that night he looked at her with such unexpected gentleness as the city lights

what she'd once felt for Magnus. This went deeper,

was certain-she loved

charm, his wild spirit, the way he lived as if nothing could hold him

wanted, desperately, to

flashed with

you won't take these shares, I

Isadora stared, momentarily stunned.

initial warmth had vanished, replaced by the commanding tone of someone

like my grandson-hardly news. But are you really so

struck a raw nerve, and

for her, maybe

knowing smile. "You thought his trip to Solstrand was just business? Gemma, the heiress to LS Capital Holdings, is turning twenty-two

faltered, her heart sinking, and

once promised Victor in marriage, but his fiancée never showed up. That's only because she hadn't graduated yet. Our families' alliance will be sealed this year. I

Deanna let her housekeeper help her up, and walked out

drained, as if she'd

the courage to speak her truth, to reveal the secret she'd guarded