Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 178

Here's a culturally localized, natural English adaptation for a Western novel audience:

"I'm not getting engaged—and even if I were, it certainly wouldn't be to you."

Nannie knew Victor's temper all too well; he never cared about saving anyone's pride, not even for a moment.

If he didn't care about someone or something—he wouldn't even bother with empty politeness.

A sharp pang twisted in Nannie's chest.

She forced a smile, though it barely reached her eyes. "My mom's birthday is coming up. Grandma finally agreed to let me fly home for a visit. Would it be all right if I traveled with you?"

Victor's reply was as flat as ever. "That's not going to work."

Nannie was caught off guard.

They'd grown up together, more or less childhood friends, and even after all these years apart, she thought at least a trace of that old bond remained.

Besides, her father had died saving the Fitzgerald family.

Would it really be such a big deal to share his private jet for a few hours?

more, Victor said bluntly, "My girlfriend wouldn't

stared at him in disbelief. "You... you have

be the woman he'd just been

glacial as it flicked over her. "Is that any of your

last remnants of Nannie's smile

heart aching with a bitter,

time she'd ever heard Victor-the

and glow, like sunlight shimmering on a lake. Nannie saw that tenderness, clear as

wondering what kind of woman could have

was relieved as

of the man who'd given his

immediately

his ear, absentmindedly opening the small, elegant black velvet box in his other

exquisite blue gems linked together, dazzling

carefully cut and polished, sparkling like a string of tiny stars across a midnight

was no question: the bracelet was a rare treasure, and its value was

jewelry—until he learned what this

The phone rang.

glanced up from the steering wheel,

letting it ring, the persistent