Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 435

Meade frowned, feeling things had truly gone too far.

He glanced at Victor, hoping to use his own standing to plead for his daughter-in- law. But Victor stood there, face cold and impassive, radiating the kind of authority that made people instinctively hold back—a presence that demanded respect and brooked no defiance.

In that moment, Meade realized Victor was no longer the young boy who used to call him "Grandpa." He was now Victor Fitzgerald, ruthless in business, a man who could go toe-to-toe with Legacy National Bank. This was Mr. Fitzgerald, a force to be reckoned with.

For the first time, Meade felt the weight of his own age. The world really did belong to the next generation.

In this society, power and influence dictated everything. And tonight, it was painfully clear that Victor was the one in control.

Meade pressed his lips together, his voice heavy. "Catherine, go teach your daughter some manners."

When Andrina heard this, her eyes widened in disbelief and she stumbled backwards, blood draining from her face.

She had been the matriarch of this family for decades-her husband died young, but Meade had given her real authority. For over forty years, she had managed the household, maintaining her position and her dignity.

Now, she was being told to bow her head and apologize, lumped together with a mere girl. All those years spent cultivating her image, all the respect she'd earned, seemed to vanish in an instant.

Andrina's breathing grew shallow, her chest rising and falling with emotion.

But she held herself together.

Olivia tried

they walked up to Isadora. Andrina bent in a deep, formal bow, then forced Olivia's head down as well. Her voice trembled with humiliation and tears, but she forced out the words, one by one:

she hissed at Olivia

jaw, refusing to

snapped, "Do you want your mother to

flickered in Olivia's eyes, but finally she spat

her face calm. "I hope you'll think twice

twisted with

cut her off. "That's enough!

Olivia kept mouthing off, not

his command, Andrina dragged her daughter away, the two of them stumbling out of the room under the eyes of mocking and pitying onlookers, their once-proud backs now

to Victor and Isadora, lowering his head slightly. "I

to teach them properly. Isadora, please accept my

her, Isadora didn't want anyone thinking he was

there's no need for that. They've apologized. Let's put this behind us." The commotion finally

rest and asked his

ago people had watched Isadora with gossip and envy in their eyes, now there was a

and Leda had already slipped out the back the moment Olivia

softly over the estate, the garden lawn bathed in the gentle glow of lanterns, carrying the crisp scent

guiding her step by