Richard clenched his jaw so hard it hurt-Isadora was tantly taking advantage of their crisis!


    Paige Dawson overheard the exchange. Even though this was an internal


    Vaughan family matter, Victor-the heir himself—had just singled out Isadora for the investment.


    Paige hadn''t survived this long in the business world without learning to read the room. She yed her cards with practiced cunning.


    Feigning impatience, Paige called out, "Mr. Vaughan, is Isadoraing or not? Are we signing this contract today or should I take my business elsewhere?"


    Thirty percent of thepany on the line, plus an investment of eight hundred million dors. The choice was brutal.


    Richard closed his eyes, took a long, steadying breath, and swallowed the pain. Keeping his voice low, he muttered to his assistant Ableson, "Go get Isadora. Tell her toe up and sign the contract."


    Ableson, ever cautious, quietly asked, "And about the thirty percent stake...?"


    Richard shot him a scathing re. "Give it to her! Tell her it''s hers!" he snapped. Ableson wiped the nervous sweat from his brow. It wasn''t even his idea to give away the shares-why was the boss taking it out on him?


    Isadora, having gotten Richard''s reluctant approval, knew when to stop pushing her luck. She walked in, poised, and quickly signed the contract.


    The room broke into polite apuse.


    Paige found herself studying Isadora with renewed interest. The young woman was striking-dressed in a cream blouse and a tailored pencil skirt that entuated her slender figure, her hair swept up in an elegant chignon. Her face was radiant, almost impossibly beautiful, with porcin skin and finely sculpted features.


    She was one of those rare women who could turn every head on the street. It was suddenly clear why Victor had gone out of his way to favor her.


    Sure, the Global Project was lucrative-anyone in Paige''s position could see that. But The Fitzgerald Group had plenty of high-potential investments to choose from. There was no reason they had to pour eight hundred million into the Vaughan Group, especially when the project only required half that amount.


    Victor had doubled the offer without blinking. This Isadora was clearly someone to watch.


    Paige''s demeanor shiftedpletely. She extended her hand, all humility and charm. "Miss Vaughan, it''s a pleasure to work with you."


    Isadora shook her hand politely. "Thank you, Director Dawson."


    Meanwhile...


    Magnus had just returned from a business trip. His driver, Lean, was waiting at the airport in a ck town car.


    As soon as Magnus slid into the back seat, he picked up a contract from Wainwright Holdings outlining their nned investment in the Vaughan Group''s Global Project. His voice was cool and unreadable. "Has Isadorae to see me?"


    Lean''s nerves got the better of him. He almost missed the red light as he processed the question.


    He''d only just learned that morning that the Vaughan Group had secured funding


    -eight hundred million dors from The Fitzgerald Group.


    Swallowing hard, Lean stammered, "Isadora, she... uh..."


    Magnus''s tone turned icy. "Spit it out."


    Lean flinched. "The Vaughan Group already got their funding for the Global Project. I don''t think she''ll being."


    Magnus gripped a small velvet jewelry box in his hand, his brow furrowing deeply. "Impossible. Four hundred million isn''t pocket change. There''s no way the Vaughan Group managed that without my help.”


    But they hadn''t just managed-they''d secured double the amount, from his biggest rival no less.


    Lean was just as baffled. When had Isadora built a connection with The Fitzgerald Group? Of allpanies, it had to be the one Magnus despised most.


    Magnus''s voice was low and dangerous. "Exin."


    Lean knew there was no hiding the news now. "It''s all over the inte. The Fitzgerald Group has invested eight hundred million in the Vaughan Group''s Global Project. It''s everywhere."


    And the headlines were juicier still, all tangled up with rumors about the real and fake heiresses of the Vaughan family. The story was going viral.


    Magnus tossed the contract aside and snatched up his phone, quickly searching the headlines.


    Sure enough, article after article shed before his eyes:


    "Fitzgerald Group Invests $800 Million in Vaughan Group''s Global Project!"


    "Fitzgerald & Vaughan: The Start of a Powerful New Alliance?"


    "Isadora and Pearl-The Heiress Drama Behind the Investment Deal!"


    "This record-breaking investment was secured by the Vaughan family''s true heiress, Isadora Vaughan."


    There was even a close-up photo of Isadora onstage, clutching the contract, her smile dazzling and triumphant.


    Magnus stared at the screen, his deep-set eyes darkening, his anger brewing like a storm about to break.