Isadora had just two months to find a suitable sessor for The Vaughan Group and tie up all the loose ends.


    Every day at the office was a whirlwind of activity.


    Honestly, the quickest solution would be to sell her shares outright.


    But that would risk Richard getting his hands on them again.


    Isadora definitely didn''t want that.


    When it came to headhunting, though, no one had more connections than Terrell.


    As soon as she thought of him, she picked up the phone.


    A warm, cultured voice answered on the other end, "Isadora, what can I do for


    you?"


    "Mr. Fawcett, I need a favor. Do you know anyone with solid experience managing shopping centers?"


    "What''s going on?" he asked.


    "I''m looking for someone to take over The Vaughan Group as a professional manager."


    Terrell''s concern came through the line. "That''s pretty sudden. Everything okay?" Isadora didn''t hide the truth. "I''ll be leaving Capitolion in a few months."


    Hearing this, Terrell paused, the ck pen in his hand stilled. He frowned slightly. "Remember that dinner you owe me?" he said.


    "Hm?"


    Terrell chuckled. "How about tonight? I actually have a few people in mind, and it''ll be easier to discuss face-to-face."


    Isadora nced at her schedule-she was free tonight, so she agreed.


    Culinary Haven.


    Traffic was heavy, and Isadora arrived a bitte.


    As soon as she walked in, a server greeted her and led her inside.


    "Miss, right this way."


    Isadora nced around curiously. The restaurant waspletely deserted. Hearing her approach, Terrell stood up and pulled out the chair across from his.


    "Thank you." Isadora sat down, ncing around again before whispering, "Why is there no one else here?"


    Terrell smiled gently. "I didn''t want us to be interrupted."


    Isadora raised a brow. "And how did you manage that...?"


    Terrell must have thought she was still sensitive about thest time someone


    arranged a private dinner here-her ex, Magnus.


    "Sorry," he said, "I just thought this ce was a nice callback to when we first met.


    If you''re ufortable, we can go somewhere else."


    Isadora waved it off. "It''s fine. That''s all in the past."


    She really was over Magnus.


    Soon, the server brought out a series of elegant dishes.


    As soon as the scent of seafood hit her, Isadora''s stomach lurched and she almost gagged.


    She''d mostly gotten over her sensitivity to smells, but fish was still too much for her.


    Terrell looked concerned. "Is something wrong? Not to your taste?"


    Isadora swallowed twice. "I just need to use the restroom for a moment."


    She took a few moments topose herself in the bathroom before making her way back out.


    Terrell was waiting by the door, offering her a warm, damp towel.


    She epted it, wiping her hands and smiling. "Mr. Fawcett, has anyone ever told you you''re incredibly thoughtful?”


    Terrell''s eyes softened, a teasing


    note in his voice. "Not really. I hardly ever dine with women, and the men I Ocertainly don''tpliment me my manners. You''re the first."


    When Isadora returned to the table, she noticed the seafood and fish dishes had


    been quietly cleared away.


    This man was nothing if not observant.


    "That''s twice now I''ve seen you lose


    your appetite at dinner. Are you


    ig stomach issues? I know a


    good doctor if you want a


    rmendation."  fo


    She shook her head. "No, I''m just not used to the taste of fish."


    No way she was admitting she was pregnant.


    The meal went smoothly after that.


    Terrell rmended three promising candidates for the job.


    As the evening wound down, Terrell poured Isadora a ss of warm water and, as if in passing, asked, "Isadora, why are you leaving Capitolion? If there''s something troubling you, maybe I can help."