Isadora arrived at The Fitzgerald Group headquarters with her two associate directors in tow.


    The Fitzgerald Group''s building was an imposing sight, towering into the sky with sleek ss and steel. They were led by a polite assistant up to the 56th floor, to the conference room of the Investments Department.


    The room itself was spacious, easily seating close to fifty people. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined one wall, offering a direct view of Capitolion''s most icondmarks.


    As Isadora settled into her chair, a mix of emotions churned inside her. Thest time she''d gathered her nerve toe here, it had been to search for proof that Victor still had even a shred of feeling for her. She''d been so close-just one step away. Now, she was back, but as the representative of a partnerpany, her rtionship with Victor reduced to little more than that of strangers.


    After a few minutes, the conference room door opened again. Paige Dawson, Director of Investments, swept in with several sharply dressed colleagues. Instinctively, Isadora nced behind them, but Victor was nowhere to be seen. Only then did her tension begin to ease, her nerves finally settling after a day spent on edge.


    Paige was well aware of the recent shakeup inside The Vaughan Group-after all, the Global Project was one of the investments under her division. As always, she put on a warm, professional smile. "Miss Vaughan-oh, I suppose I should say President Vaughan now, shouldn''t I?"


    Isadora returned the courtesy with humility. "It''s just a title. And in this case, we''re really just the junior partner."


    "Thanks to The Fitzgerald Group''s investment, the Global Project finally turned a profit in the first quarter," Isadora continued. "We''re now nning to expand into the eastern overseas market-"


    She was interrupted by a knock at the door.


    The Executive Office''s chief assistant, Kemp, entered briskly. "President Vaughan, Mr. Fitzgerald would like you toe to his office and present your ns for the next quarter of the Global Project."


    Isadora blinked in surprise. Why would such a small project warrant a personal report in his office?


    Paige''s colleagues exchanged confused nces. It was unheard of for President Fitzgerald to spare time for such a minor investment. In all these years, none of them had ever seen him personally request a project leader to present an update.


    Paige quickly recalled the unusual circumstances under which the contract with The Fitzgerald Group had been signed. It seemed Isadora''s rtionship with Victor Fitzgerald was anything but ordinary. She recovered swiftly, offering an exnation: "President Vaughan, Mr. Fitzgerald personally approved the Global Project. So, your report will need to go through the executive office."


    Isadora had no choice but toply. Her two associate directors stood up, ready to apany her.


    But Kemp, all business, looked at Isadora. "Mr. Fitzgerald has requested that youe alone, President Vaughan."


    Isadora was at a loss for words.


    *


    Following Kemp, Isadora made her way to Victor''s office. Kemp knocked respectfully before opening the door.


    A low, unhurried male voice sounded from inside. "Come in."


    Kemp opened the door wider and gestured for her to enter.


    Isadora hesitated at the threshold, clenching and unclenching her fists before finally stepping inside. The door closed behind her with a soft click.


    She realized immediately that Victor wasn''t alone. Several men in suits were gathered around the seating area, clearly in the middle of a meeting.


    Victor sat on a ck leather armchair, back to the panoramic windows. He wore a charcoal shirt and gray cks, the top two buttons undone, one leg casually crossed over the other. The other men were seated in two neat rows.


    When the door opened, Victor nced up, his gaze cool and sharp, even more piercing than usual. His dark eyes lingered on Isadora for a few seconds before flicking away, returning to the meeting at hand.


    In those few seconds, her heart skipped a beat-she couldn''t help herself. She didn''t understand. He was in the middle of a meeting-so why had he summoned her to report in person?