Elise''s face went pale in an instant.


    What?


    She''d just been scalded by hot water-such a serious thing-and Magnus still wanted to believe Isadora?


    Tears welled in her eyes. "Magnus, do you really think I''d hurt myself just to frame her? Is that what you think of me?"


    Isadora nced coolly at Magnus''s stormy expression, then at Elise''s look of utter disbelief. Her own face remained calm, almost indifferent, and her voice was t, detached. "Believe whatever you want."


    After all, she hadn''t done it. Why should she care whether he believed her? She didn''t love Magnus anymore. His trust orck thereof meant nothing to her now. Did he really expect her to beg for his approval, to fight for credit in his eyes, just like before?


    How pathetic. Isadora was done ying that fool''s game.


    Having said her piece, she didn''t bother with them anymore and turned to leave.


    Magnus, watching her walk away with barely a care, felt a sudden, fierce anger surge up inside him. She really thought she could just walk out?


    Without thinking, he lunged forward and grabbed her slender wrist. "Isadora, you''re not going anywhere," he growled, his voice low and thick with barely


    controlled rage.


    Isadora''s patience snapped. Enough was enough! This damn man never knew his own strength-always grabbing her, never gentle, and now his fingers dug into her wrist again.


    She didn''t hesitate. Her free hand swung up andnded hard across Magnus''s cheek.


    Smack!


    The sharp sound echoed through the room. Elise gasped, stunned. "Isadora, how could you how could you hit Magnus?"


    Magnus barely seemed to register the sting. He just stared at Isadora, eyes wide, as though he couldn''t believe she''d actually hit him—again. His gaze was zing with fury.


    He ground out the words through clenched teeth, every sybleced with shock and disbelief. "Isadora, you actually dared to hit me?"


    Isadora met his re, chin lifted in defiance. "Why not? You think you can manhandle me and I''m just supposed to take it?"


    Magnus''s face darkened, jaw tight as he bit down, forcing the words out between his teeth. "Apologize to Elise."


    All you have to do is repent, Isadora, he thought. Just beg for my forgiveness, and I''ll let the past go. I won''t care about your ''stained'' reputation. I''ll give you the title of Mrs. Wainwright.


    Elise, sensing Magnus''s support, rxed. A smug smile yed on her lips. It looked like he was on her side after all.


    Isadora let out a short, bitterugh. "Why should I apologize? I didn''t throw water on her. I''m not the same Isadora you used to push around."


    Magnus could feel she''d changed. But his anger drowned out what little reason or guilt he had left. He just red at her, unyielding.


    Isadora knew all too well how stubborn Magnus could be. Seeing his obstinance, she let out a cold chuckle. "Fine. You want an apology?"


    She turned to Elise, her eyes icy and unsettling. Elise shrank back instinctively, unsure what Isadora would do.


    "Elise, since you say I sshed you and demand an apology, let''s get it right: I''ll ssh you, then apologize."


    With that, Isadora strode over to the coffee table, snatched up a bottle of water, twisted off the cap, and with one swift motion-flung the cold water straight at Elise.


    Elise didn''t even have time to react. Water drenched her hair and clothes, leaving her blinking, soaked, and utterly humiliated.


    Arms crossed, Isadora looked at her with clear disdain. "There. Sorry. Is that good enough for you?"


    "You want another apology? One ssh, one sorry. That''s how it works."


    "What a shame it was cold water this time. If only it had been hot..."