"Sorry."


    Terrell moved in, reaching out to embrace her.


    But Isadora immediately stepped back, putting a careful distance between them.


    Terrell''s hand hung awkwardly in the air. He couldn''t hold back-his words came out sharp: "When you needed him the most, he still didn''t show up. Why can''t you just let him go?"


    Isadora looked up, meeting his gaze.


    "Mr. Fawcett," she replied evenly, "even if Victor and I aren''t together, I have no intention of settling for someone else just for the sake of it. That''s only fair to you."


    "I don''t mind," Terrell said, his eyes fixed on her, unwavering.


    He could see right through her-see the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide behind her mask. It made his chest ache, this urge to protect her growing stronger by the second.


    "I don''t care if you''re cruel to me, Isadora. All I want is a chance."


    As he finished, Terrell gently rested his hand on her shoulder.


    Isadora''s brow furrowed.


    Realizing he''d crossed a line, Terrell quickly withdrew his hand.


    "I''m sorry," he said, his voice low. "I just lost my temper tonight."


    Isadora''s expression didn''t change. "Mr. Fawcett, please don''t waste your time on me."


    Terrell let out a bitterugh. "Even now, after all he''s done, you still choose him, don''t you?"


    Isadora stayed silent.


    Right now, choosing Victor was thest thing on her mind.


    What mattered more was seeing Deanna and Rowena get what they deserved.


    *


    Fitzgerald Manor.


    The massive t-screen TV was tuned to the evening news, broadcasting coverage of The Vaughan Group''s press conference.


    On screen, the anchor summarized:


    "Today, Isadora, CEO of The


    Vaughan Group, publicly stated she has no personal ties to Preston from The Dunbar Group. In fact, she. used Preston of using


    underhanded tactics to lure her to the hotel. Isadora will be taking legal action against him."


    "She also confirmed her pregnancy, but declined to reveal the father''s identity Given Mr. Fawcett''s


    protective disy at the press


    conference, viewers are specting that he''s the father."


    "They make a striking pair-let''s offer our congrattions to Terrell and Isadora,


    and look forward to wedding bells in the future."


    ...


    Deanna pressed pause on the remote, freezing the image of Isadora hurrying away from the cameras.


    Pattie, the housekeeper, respectfully massaged Deanna''s shoulders.


    "Ma''am, the baby Isadora''s carrying is still the Fitzgerald family''s blood. Aren''t you


    worried you''re pushing your own flesh and blood out of the family?"


    Deanna narrowed her eyes. "You


    don''t understand, Pattie. Victor''s


    entire world revolves around that


    world.


    woman now. I need to get rid of her first-then we can deal with everything else. As for the child..." She gave a cold, calcting smile. "Once it''s born, taking it back will be the easy part."


    Pattie nodded in agreement.


    "You''re absolutely right, ma''am. No one thinks as far ahead as you do."


    Just then, a maid entered from the hallway and announced,


    "Mrs. Fitzgerald, Rowena''s here."


    Deanna took a slow sip of her tea, unhurried. "Show her in."


    Rowena entered the old mansion again, this time with far less hesitation than


    before. She approached and gave Deanna a respectful nod.


    "Good afternoon, Mrs. Fitzgerald."


    Deanna regarded her coolly. "You did well."


    She nced at Pattie, who nodded and brought over tworge ck suitcases, setting them on the table. When they were opened, they revealed stacks of crisp red bills.


    A satisfied smile curled at Rowena''s lips.


    Deanna set down her teacup.


    "There''s five million pounds in cash here."


    "Thank you, Mrs. Fitzgerald," Rowena replied, her mind already working.


    "If you''re pleased with my work, perhaps we could coborate again?"