She also saw someone she''d rather avoid.


    Prescott didn''t have enough time to hide his reaction-a sh of distaste crossed his face, his brows drawing together before he could smooth out his expression.


    Richard, however, greeted them with a broad smile. "Isadora, it''s been a while since you''ve seen your brother, hasn''t it? He just got back from Solstrandst week."


    Isadora walked over and smiled politely. "I know. I heard you took Mom, Dad, and Pearl on a road trip to the coast the other day."


    Richard''s smile faltered just a bit.


    He''d actually nned to invite Isadora along.


    But Prescott had said she wouldn''t enjoy it, that she never felt at ease tagging along, so Richard had let it go.


    Prescott now chimed in,pletely unbothered. "I figured you weren''t into those kinds of trips, so I didn''t ask you toe along this time. I hope you don''t mind, Isadora."


    Isadora let out a shortugh.


    In the past, whenever Prescott said things like this, Isadora would just go along "Of course, I don''t mind."


    But not this time.


    Her cool, measured voice echoed through the office. "But if you never invite me, how would you know what I like?"


    Prescott hadn''t expected her to push back. "You never wanted to go before..."


    "Prescott, that was then. Things are different now. Just like after today, I''ll be Director at The Vaughan Group. I won''t be working under you anymore-we''ll be equals. Actually, I own thirty percent of The Vaughan Group now. So technically, I outrank you."


    "Dad, what''s going on here?" Prescott''s voice was tight as he turned to Richard. "Isadora''s the new Director? And she owns thirty percent of thepany?"


    Prescott''s lips pressed into a hard, thin line as he stared at Richard, demanding an exnation.


    He''d spent two grueling years out in Solstrand, working his way up to Director of External Rtions at The Vaughan Group-earning every step.


    Yet Isadora, who''d barely lifted a finger, was suddenly named Director and given a huge chunk of thepany? It was outrageous.


    Richard hadn''t had the chance to fill Prescott in on the details.


    "I''ll exin the sharester, Prescott," Richard said quickly. "As for the Director''s position..."


    Even he was a little puzzled.


    He''d promised Isadora: the promotion woulde only if she secured M Boutique for the Vaughan family''s mall. Unless...


    He turned to Isadora, eyes narrowing. “Isadora, did you actuallynd M Boutique? They agreed to join our mall?"


    Isadora arched a brow and tossed the contract onto his desk. "That''s right. Time to keep your end of the deal, Dad."


    Richard knew better than anyone how hard it was to win over M Boutique. Even his own attempts to meet their owner, Mason, had ended at a closed door.


    Sending Isadora after them had just been n A. The deal was crucial for thepany''s new direction, so he''d already started working on a n B.


    He never imagined she''d pull it off in just a few days.


    Excellent. Absolutely excellent.


    He couldn''t help the huge grin that spread across his face.


    Immediately, he dialed the PR department. "Release a statement right now-l want everyone in Capitolion to know that M Boutique ising to our mall. Make sure the Vaughan family name is front and center in this news."


    As soon as he hung up, Richard turned to Prescott. "Prescott, your sister''snded


    a major deal for The Vaughan Group. That''s why I promised her the promotion."


    Prescott''s eyes were red with frustration as he red at Isadora.


    "I don''t ept this!" he snapped.