BookToReadChapter 86 Victor swirled the whiskey in his glass, his gaze distant and bored as Dailey rambled on about his latest big idea- a project pitched with all the subtlety of fireworks. Victor didn't nod. He didn't shake his head. He just listened, noncommittal.
The Brooks family had started out in tech three generations ago, their nonce spoken in the sbreath as the Fitzgeralds. But the newer Brooks heirs? Not a business brain among them. They'd managed to squander fortunes, one disaster after another.
Victor lounged deeper into the leather sofa, sipping his drink, radiating indifference. As he absentmindedly checked his phone, a new message from Finley popped up-a photo.
The image made Victor's blood run cold. There, in a flawless white wedding dress, stood a woman he recognized instantly.
His eyes, usually a cool gray, turned glacial_hard and sharp as an Arctic winter. Fury radiated from him in waves. He zoomed in, staring at the screen as if he could burn through it.
There was no mistaking her. Isadora.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThat liar.
She'd told him it was just a one-night stand, that things with Magnus were over. But now here she was, dressed for a wedding. Who was she marrying? Magnus? Victor's jaw clenched as he exited the photoand immediately called Isadora.
No answer.
His lips pressed into a thin, angry line. Anxiety and dread twisted in his chest.
He tried her number. Still nothing.
A bitter laugh escaped him, but there was no humor in his eyes-only the brewing storm of a man about to snap. He gripped his phone tightly, dialing Finley.
"Where is she?" he demanded when Finley picked up.
Finley's voice cback teasing, "Whoa, Prince. Who do you mean?" Victor's tone dropped, ice-cold. "Finley, do you want your hospital to go out of business?" The threat was so sharp Finley nearly slammed on his brakes, momentarily forgetting he was driving. He'd only meant to mess with Victor, to see if he could rile the famously unflappable heir. He hadn't expected this reaction- Victor was ready to bring down his entire hospital? Finley knew Victor's reputation-ruthless, dangerous when provoked. Pushing it further would be suicide.
He sobered instantly. "Okay, okay. I ran into Isadora at LA Wedding Boutique. She was trying on wedding dresses. Magnus was with her." "Is that so?" Victor's fury was palpable even through the phone.
Finley hesitated. "Prince, do you... do you really care about Isadora?" The call ended abruptly-a sharp beep in Finley's ear. He stared at his phone, stunned.
Meanwhile, across the lounge, Patricia shot Dailey a look. They switched seats, and she slid onto the sofa beside Victor.
Patricia was Dailey's younger sister-the Brooks family's darling, raised with every privilege. As a child, she'd spent twith Victor when their families were close; she'd fallen for him at first sight. Even as an adult, she'd campaigned for her family to arrange a marriage with the Fitzgeralds, but nothing ever cof it.
Now, with her brother's disastrous management threatening to bankrupt them, the siblings were desperate to restore their old status-and Victor was their ticket back to the top.
The moment Patricia sat beside Victor, she could feel the jealous stares of the nearby actresses-women who usually saw themselves as queens of the room. Patricia's pride soared. They might be A-list celebrities, but she was the Brooks heiress, born to mingle with families like the Fitzgeralds.
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She picked up two glasses of wine and offered one to Victor, hervdice honeyed and sweet. "Victor, it's me-Patricia. Do you remember me?" Victor was still seething from what he'd seen on his phone, ready to walk out- until Patricia blocked his path.
"Do you need something?" His voice was icily polite.
Patricia smiled, her tone as delicate as a songbird's. "We met when we were kids, remember? just went shopping with Mrs. Fitzgerald last week-she likesa lot." Mrs. Fitzgerald wasn't Victor's birth mother, but she'd raised him.
Victor stood, shooting Patricia a glacial look. "If she likes you, that's her business. It has nothing to do with me." He turned to go, having no patience for her games.
Panicking, Patricia reached out, trying chances to grab his hand. "Victor don'tga haven't had a chance to talk to you yet-" Victor recoiled, shaking her off as if her touch burned. "Get out of my way."
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