Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 99 Last time, Isadora had agreed to take the stage and sign a contract with the Fitzgerald Group.

But she'd only done so because Richard had promised her 30% of the Vaughan Group's shares as a condition. Now, she discovered Richard was pulling a new trick-he wouldn't actually transfer the shares until she married Magnus.

Isadora had already been fooled once; she wasn't about to let it happen again.

Richard was caught off guard by her sudden, pointed question.

He knew, deep down, that he was in the wrong this time.

But if he'd handed the shares over too quickly, it would have done the Vaughan family no good.

Isadora had always been headstrong and aloof, never one to submit to anyone's authority. She did things her own way-and her relationship with Pearl was famously icy.

To the Vaughan family, she was a ticking tbomb.

As her father, Richard had long since learned to keep her in line with a combination of leverage and promises. But now, with the Fitzgerald Group's unexpected involvement, even Richard found himself at a loss.

He turned to Isadora, trying to appeal to her sense of family: "Isadora, you need to think about the bigger picture. You're my daughter-half of the Vaughan Group will belong to you eventually. Right now, our priority is to get the remaining funds from the Fitzgerald Group. I've already promised you the shares, and I'll keep my word. It's just a matter of time, so why are you making this so difficult?" He sighed, playing the familiar card. "If it were Pearl, she'd understand her father's burden." Isadora almost laughed at that.

So, deep down, Pearl-the fake daughter-was still his favorite.

She hadn't forgotten what happened at the event hall that day: Richard had already arranged Pearl's share transfer paperwork in advance, just in case.

Her expression frosted over. She tapped her fingers against her armrest. "You wantto chase down the rest of the funds from the Fitzgerald Group? Fine." "Really?" Richard's eyes lit up. "Isadora, you really are a good daughter." But Isadora only smiled faintly. "Dad, don't get ahead of yourself." "How about this: We sign the share transfer contract today, and I'll go make sure the Fitzgerald Group pays up. What do you say?" Richard's face darkened instantly.

"Isadora, why do you have to be so stubborn? Let's not talk about this for now. You're one of the project leads for this global expansion-you wouldn't want to see it stall halfway, would you? Go get the investment from the Fitzgerald Group first." Isadora didn't so much as blink. She locked eyes with him, voice cold. "No. Shares first, or there's nothing to discuss." Richard glared at her, his gaze heavy, as if seeing his daughter for the first time.

Isadora met his stare, unyielding.

"Dad, you always toldthat in business, everything comes down to profit. I learned from the best-you. If you want someone to do something, you have to offer them something in return. Isn't that right?" For a moment, Richard just looked at her, his tone icy. "You really are my daughter. You've learned well." He walked to the marble desk, picked up the phone, and dialed. "Have legal draft a transfer contract for 30% of the Vaughan Group's shares. Bring it up now." After she signed the contract, Isadora felt lighter than she had in a long time.

She glanced over at the paperwork on the passenger seat. As of today, she was officially the second-largest shareholder in the Vaughan Group.

But that wasn't enough.

This was only the beginning.

Over the past few weeks, Isadora had cto realize a lot. If she couldn't win the Vaughans' love, then at least she could take their money. That was something.

It was foolish of her, she thought now, not to fight for anything in the past.

When she first moved back into Vaughan Manor, Pearl had done everything she could to make her feel unwelcome, treating her like an intruder.

Isadora, wanting to make things easier for Richard and Eleanor, had even moved out on her own accord.

Looking back, she realized just how many stupid things she'd done for other people's sake.

Why keep swallowing her pride, she wondered, when she could let others taste discomfort for a change? Maybe that was the secret to happiness.

Half an hour later, Isadora pulled up outside the Fitzgerald Group's headquarters.

The building was the tallest in the city-a marvel of modern design, all glass and steel, imposing and futuristic.

She stepped into the lobby, where three stylish receptionists stood behind the counter, as much a part of the scenery as the marble floors. One of them—a woman with long hair-recognized her immediately from her last visit.

After all, Isadora had a striking look: bright eyes, memorable features, and a beauty that turned heads wherever she went.

She's back again, the receptionist thought, still not giving up on meeting the boss.

And who could blher? Victor Fitzgerald was the city's golden boy.

Every woman in theXOcompany-probably every woman in town-had dreamed about him at least once. Without even asking the executive office, the long-haired receptionist delivered the sbrush-off as last time:

"Miss, you're here again? You could show up a hundred times-Mr, om Fitzgerald isn't available. Actually, even if he were, he wouldn't have tto see you." Isadora just glanced at her, said nothing, and pulled out her newly repaired phone to make a call.

The receptionists exchanged snide remarks, watching her with thinly veiled disdain.

But after she hung up, a sharply dressed man in an immaculate suit walked out from the elevators.

It was Kemp-Victor Fitzgerald's senior executive assistant.

He strode right up to Isadora and greeted her respectfully, "Miss Vaughan, Mr. Fitzgerald askedto escort you up personally." The receptionists were floored.

Who was this woman, to have the boss's top aide greet her in person? Clearly, her relationship with the golden boy went much deeper than anyone had guessed.