Elise frowned, a flicker of guilt passing through her chest.
"What are you doing here?"
A sharp crack split the silence.
Without warning, Penelope Dawson raised her hand and pped Elise hard across the face. The blow was swift, vicious, and precise.
A red mark bloomed instantly on Elise''s cheek.
Penelope let out a cold, contemptuous snort. "What am I doing here? I actually thought you had some real talent, that maybe you could win M Boutique for the Harrison family. But it turns out you''re not even worth the dirt under my shoes, you pathetic little bastard. I gave you far too much credit."
Elise pressed a trembling hand to her stinging cheek, her skin burning with pain.
That witch actually hit her.
Ever since Elise had returned from abroad and Magnus had taken her under his wing, no one had dared to treat her like this.
She took a shaky step forward, ready to p Penelope right back.
But the two bodyguards-both towering and built like linebackers-straightened and red at her threateningly.
Elise faltered, retreating two steps without even realizing it.
She forced herself to stand tall, chin up. "I never agreed to do what you asked! M Boutique signing with the Vaughan family has nothing to do with me."
Penelope was only here to vent her anger.
Wasting more words on this eyesore of an illegitimate daughter would only drag her down to Elise''s level.
"You little brat. Should''ve tossed you in the river years ago. What are you two standing around for? Get her."
At hermand, the bodyguards advanced, their heavy steps making the floor vibrate.
Elise''s face drained of color as they drew closer. She hugged herself, terror making her whole body tremble.
"Wh-what do you want?! Penelope, you can''t do this to me I''m still Jack Harrison''s daughter!"
One of the bodyguards red down at her, his expression ice cold. "Sorry, Miss Harrison."
With that, he drew back his leg and kicked her hard in the stomach.
Elise screamed as the impact sent her flying like a rag doll. She crashed into the wall with a sickening thud and crumpled to the floor, fresh blood staining her lips.
Penelope watched the brutal scene unfold, her facepletely unmoved.
That, she thought, is what happens to anyone who stands in her way.
"Don''t let me catch you around here again."
With that, she turned on her heel and strode to her waiting Bentley, every step radiating disdain.
Once inside, Penelope pulled out her designer phone and made a call.
As soon as the line connected, her voice lost its edge, softening into deference. "Hello, this is Penelope Dawson from the Harrison Group. I''d like to arrange a meeting with Mrs. Fitzgerald. Thank you."
Meanwhile, Elisey on the floor, bracing herself with one arm as pain seared through every nerve ending. Her whole body shook, both from agony and humiliation.
Her eyes turned cold as steel. She clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms.
If it weren''t for Isadora, Penelope would be the one begging her for help right now.
Isadora, you''ll see what I''m capable of.
This time, Elise wouldn''t hold back.
Her hands trembling, she pulled out her phone. "Gideon, can you... help me onest time?"
*
At a quiet café downtown, Isadora sat tucked away in a corner, idly stirring the dark coffee in her ceramic mug.
Soft sunlight filtered through the windows, draping a gentle veil over her pale, elegant profile.
With her softly curled hair and striking, cool beauty, Isadora drew more than a few curious nces from the other patrons.
Just then, the café door swung open, and another striking woman stepped inside.
Nte, dressed in a sleek ck designer dress and oversized sunsses that obscured half her face, scanned the room before heading straight for Isadora.
With a practiced air of nonchnce, Nte slumped into the seat across from her and slid a beautifully wrapped box across the table.
"Here''s what you wanted. I snagged it for you at the Northmarch auction. You know, I just got off the ne and you already dragged me out here. Was it really that urgent?"
Isadora epted the box with a bright, grateful smile. "Thank you so much, darling."