"Work? Ha..." Isabel let out a cold, bitterugh, her eyes tinged with self-mockery. "I''ve thrown myself into my job-wasn''t it all just so I could be a little closer to him? And what do I get for it? He doesn''t even see me. I''m invisible to him."


    Carole frowned, her tone turning serious. "Isabel, don''t give in to despair. It''s not like you just met Mr. Etheridge yesterday. You know he''s not the type to fall for someone easily. The only way to get close to him is to be even better yourself. That''s the truth."


    Isabel fell silent. Deep down, she knew Carole was right.


    But she simply couldn''t control how she felt.


    From the very first moment sheid eyes on Lyman, she hadn''t been able to look away. His aloofness, his strength—he was like a mountain she could never climb.


    Yet that was exactly what drew her in, what made her unable to let go.


    Still, Isabel was confident that Lyman wouldn''t just leave her behind.


    Because he''d promised her he wouldn''t.


    "Carole, am I being foolish?" Isabel asked quietly, her voice trembling with vulnerability.


    Carole sighed, her words softening. "You''re not foolish, just young. But if you keep working on yourself, I''m sure Mr. Etheridge will notice. He really does care about you, even if you can''t see it right now. Don''t let your imagination run wild, okay?"


    Isabel drew a deep breath. Suddenly, a steely glint shed in her eyes. "Carole, can you help me look into the woman around Lymantely? Know your rival, win the war-it''s that simple."


    Carole broke into a relieved smile. "Now that''s the Isabel I know. Stop overthinking and get some rest. Leave the digging to me-I''ll find out everything you want to know."


    After all, this involved her own interests, too.


    Carole certainly hoped Lyman and Isabel would end up together.


    All these years, it was Lyman who''d been backing Isabel from behind the scenes.


    With his support, Isabel could do almost anything she wanted in the entertainment industry.


    Every show shended was top-tier.


    Isabel nodded. She was genuinely curious-what kind of woman could make Lyman actually pay attention?


    But whoever she was, Isabel was sure she wouldn''t be a real threat.


    Effie felt uneasy all day, though she couldn''t quite put her finger on why.


    She only realized she''d forgotten her keys when she sat down at her desk.


    So she''d called Lyman, asking him toe home early.


    Work soon swept her up, until she needed a break and headed to the kitchte for a cup of coffee. That''s when she overheard her coworkers gossiping.


    This office was like that-rumors traveled faster than emails.


    Effie had no interest in their chatter. She poured her coffee, took a sip, and was about to leave when she caught a snippet of conversation.


    "You know what? My idol is back in town. I absolutely adore her."


    "Don''t tell me Isabel?"


    "That''s her! She got back this morning. There was a bit of a mishap at the airport, and she ended up in the hospital."


    "I just checked the entertainment news. Apparently, our Mr. Etheridge rushed straight over to see her."


    "Oh my god, can you imagine? They''re perfect together-she''s gorgeous, he''s brilliant. Maybe Isabel will be our boss''s wife one day!"


    "Honestly, I wouldn''t be surprised!"


    Effie stopped listening. Suddenly, her coffee scalded her hand, snapping her back to reality.


    She frowned, thoughts swirling.


    Isabel?


    Wasn''t that the woman Vinson Elliott had mentioned before?


    Was there something going on between her and Lyman?


    If so, then why had Lyman married her?