Isadora lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with impatience. "There are plenty of women lining up to have dinner with Mr. Fitzgerald. Isn''t Ms. Laverne always eager to keep youpany? You certainly don''t need me."


    Victor had been simmering with irritation, but her words made his eyes flicker. He studied Isadora, his gaze dark and searching, lingering on her face.


    He lounged back on the couch, arm draped carelessly along the side, and let out a short, amusedugh. "Oh? Is President Vaughan actually... jealous?"


    Isadora pressed her lips together, her expression cool and unreadable. "Not at all. Mr. Fitzgerald and I are practically strangers. I''m here on behalf of Vaughan Group to deliver our report on the Global Project-nothing more."


    Victor''s mouth curled into a faint, mocking smile.


    Of course.


    This woman-jealous? As if she had a heart to feel such things.


    Just then, Victor''s phone rang, cutting through the tension in the room.


    He nced at the screen, then answered.


    On the other end, Deanna''s familiar voice came through. "Darling, President Lennox from LS Capital Holdings will be visiting Capitolion in a few days. Our families will be meeting up, so make sure you clear your schedule."


    Seated across the room, Isadora immediately recognized Mrs. Fitzgerald''s voice.


    She instinctively straightened in her seat.


    LS Capital Holdings.


    She remembered now that was the family the Fitzgeralds were nning to form an alliance with, maybe even by marriage.


    So it was official now. They were really in talks for an engagement....


    The thought made the nausea she''d just managed to suppresse rushing back.


    Victor, half-lidded eyes dark and inscrutable, shot Isadora a sidelong nce.


    She sat there, head bowed, face nk.


    His voice was devoid of emotion as he replied, "Alright."


    Once he ended the call, Isadora rose to her feet.


    Her tone was icy. "Mr. Fitzgerald, Vaughan Group will send over a detailed report on the Global Project for your team''s review. I won''t take up any more of your time."


    She didn''t wait for a response. Without a backward nce, she turned and strode out of his office.


    Down in the Fitzgerald Group''s main lobby, two vice presidents were waiting for her.


    As soon as they spotted her, they rushed over, concern in their voices. "President Vaughan, was Mr. Fitzgerald satisfied with our ns for the next quarter of the Global Project?"


    Isadora walked briskly toward the parking lot. "Send someone to print out a hard copy of the Global Project proposal and deliver it to the Fitzgerald Group."


    One of the vice presidents looked startled. "Wait, what?"


    He hesitated before continuing, "President Vaughan, this was such a good opportunity-why didn''t you discuss the n with Mr. Fitzgerald in person? If he''s happy with our work, he might even agree to invest more."


    The other vice president quickly chimed in. "Exactly. The Global Project is our gateway into the US and European markets. If we can expand further, Vaughan Group''s market share will skyrocket."


    Isadora stopped in her tracks, turning to fix them with a sharp, steely look. "Can''t we stand on our own? Or do we have to grovel for the Fitzgerald Group''s approval?"


    With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving them speechless. The two vice presidents exchanged bewildered nces.


    "What''s gotten into President Vaughan? Isn''t seeking investment in business perfectly normal? She made it sound like we were begging. There are plenty of people who''d love the chance to work with the Fitzgerald Group."


    "Maybe she just doesn''t want to owe them any favors," the other said quietly. "That''s probably why she''s so against it."


    Night fell, neon lights glittering across the city as the nightlife began to stir.


    Isadora sat alone at home, arms wrapped around herself on the couch, gazing out at the city lights beyond her balcony.


    Her eyes drifted from the distant skyline to a battered ultrasound report on the coffee table.


    It was obvious the paper had been folded and unfolded many times, the corners creased and worn.


    She''d been so shocked at the hospital when she learned she was pregnant, she hadn''t even looked at the report.


    Tonight, for the first time, she read through it-again and again.