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?

said bluntly, "My girlfriend wouldn't be

disbelief.

woman he'd just been

gaze was glacial as it flicked over her. "Is that

smile faded. "Right. I'll

heart aching with

first time she'd ever heard Victor-the Fitzgerald Group's golden boy- admit to having a

when he spoke about her, his eyes took on a depth and glow, like sunlight shimmering on a

what kind of woman could have found

as long as it wasn't

daughter of the man

immediately

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

a sapphire bracelet-dozens of exquisite blue gems linked

like a

bracelet was a rare

about jewelry—until he learned what this sapphire bracelet meant. That's why he'd bought

The phone rang.

glanced up from the steering wheel, her eyes rimmed with

stared at her phone, letting it ring, the persistent sound filling