Nannie stepped forward and set her insted thermos down on the marble dining table. Her sharp eyes swept over Isadora, who had just emerged from the


    bedroom.


    Isadora''s long, softly curled hair spilled down her back, framing a radiant, fair face. Her arched brows and luminous hazel eyes gave her an unforgettable beauty-delicate features, impossible to ignore.


    Today, she wore a nude silk blouse tucked into fitted jeans, the slim waist entuating her polished, confident aura.


    Nannie prided herself on being attractive, but the woman before her possessed a lively, pure charm that went beyond simple beauty.


    This must be the "girlfriend" Victor had mentioned-the one who even fussed about sharing a private jet with her.


    The thought stung. No wonder Mrs. Fitzgerald felt threatened, wanting to use Nannie as a pawn to push this woman out.


    And truth be told, Nannie was more than willing to y the part. In her eyes, Victor was unique, untouchable, far above anyone else''s reach.


    She feigned surprise, her voice light and sweet as she spoke. "And who might you be? What are you doing in Victor''s home?"


    Something about Nannie''s crisp, almost syrupy tone triggered a sense of déjà vu in Isadora, but she couldn''t quite ce it.


    Isadora''s guard went up. "If you''re wondering why I''m here, maybe you should ask Victor."


    Nannie smiled, undeterred. "Oh, I had no idea someone else was here. I only stopped by to drop off some homemade nourishing soup for Victor."


    Isadora remained wary. "And how exactly do you know him?"


    In all her time with Victor, Isadora hadn''t seen any other woman around him. Could this be the infamous fiancée from all those Fitzgerald family rumors?


    Nannie offered an innocent smile. "I''ve grown up with the Fitzgerald family-Victor and I are childhood friends. We''re... very close."


    At that, Isadora lowered her gaze, clearly uninterested in further conversation. "If you''re looking for him, you can give him a call. I''m heading out."


    Of course, Nannie had no intention of calling Victor. She always came under the pretense of Mrs. Fitzgerald''s orders, even using the door code that the olddy had given her. Helping Mrs. Fitzgerald chase off women seen as gold-diggers was nothing new to her-she was practically an expert by now.


    Nannie ignored Isadora''s indifference. "Miss, are you Victor''s... lover?" She deliberately chose the most insulting term.


    Isadora pressed her lips together, saying nothing. Sometimes, even she couldn''t define what she and Victor were to each other.


    Nannie shrugged, her tone airy butced with malice. "Don''t take it personally- it''s just that Victor already has a well-known fiancée, and he''s never mentioned you to the Fitzgerald family. I assumed you were just like all those other women who chase after him-an easily receable fling."


    The words struck like a de, cutting straight to Isadora''s heart, leaving a raw ache in her chest. Still, she kept herposure, her voice turning icy.


    "Miss, what goes on between Victor and me is none of your business, and I don''t need your approval."


    With that, Isadora turned and walked out, not sparing Nannie another nce.


    A faint, mocking smile curled on Nannie''s lips. Not so impressive after all.


    *


    Across town, a Rolls-Royce glided through the dazzling city streets, passing block after block in silent luxury.


    In the front, the driver kept his eyes on the road while Kemp, seated beside him, gave a detailed report.


    In the back, Victor read through a file, his long, elegant fingers flipping the pages, his gaze unreadable.


    The car finally pulled up in front of a two-story cottage.