Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 107

Isadora arched an eyebrow.

So Richard really did know exactly what she wanted. He was dangling the position of director in front of her like bait, tempting her with the one thing she couldn’t quite refuse.

Well, it wasn’t as if she couldn’t give it a shot.

Seeing the flicker of interest on Isadora’s face, Richard continued, “It’s not difficult. I’ve already looked into it. The manager of M Boutique and Magnus are old friends—if you just reach out to Magnus…”

He hadn’t finished before Isadora cut him off, patience running thin. “Dad, how I get it done is my business. You’ve always cared about results, not the process, haven’t you?”

Magnus. There was no way she was going to contact him.

Richard gave her a meaningful look and patted her shoulder. “Alright, then. I’ll wait for your good news.”

After he left, Isadora pulled up some research on M Boutique.

M Boutique had a long, storied history in Northmarch—over a century old, originally serving the royal family and the upper crust of society. In recent years, it had tried to modernize, attracting a younger, affluent clientele, but it was still a luxury brand, strictly for those who could afford it.

A brand like that wouldn’t set up shop just anywhere; they’d be selective about which mall they entered.

The Vaughan Group’s mall was a general-purpose galleria, not exactly a luxury haven. Landing M Boutique would be anything but easy.

But if she could bring M Boutique to the Vaughan Galleria, it would mean a huge step up for the entire Vaughan Group—a move straight into the upper echelons.

Isadora pondered for a while, but she couldn’t see a way forward. The Vaughan Group didn’t have any unique advantages or selling points.

Suddenly, Victor’s impossibly handsome face flashed through her mind.

The CEO of Capitolion, the most elite family in town—if he was willing to help, everything would become so much easier.

She shook her head at the thought.

Eighty million dollars, and just like that, she’d become Victor’s woman. If she went to him for help again, she’d probably lose whatever pride she had left.

No. She needed to find another way.

Outside, evening had already fallen. She glanced at the clock—almost 7 p.m.

Earlier that afternoon, Victor had messaged her: Come to my place.

Leaving the office, Isadora debated for a moment before driving straight to Stratus Manor.

Her emotions were a tangled mess on the way over. The last time she’d come to Stratus Manor, it was as a supplicant, desperate for help. This time, it was as his girlfriend.

Just like that, the furry missile screeched to a halt half a meter away, not a second too soon.

Pudding looked up at her with big, soulful eyes, as if pleading for affection.

Isadora’s heart melted. She crouched down and ruffled Pudding’s soft head. “Hey, sweetheart, you’re alright.”

Victor strolled over, his voice relaxed but a little teasing. “You’d crush her if you jumped, you know. You have no idea how heavy you are?”

Pudding barked indignantly.

Isadora shot Victor a look. “Don’t be mean.”

“Me? Mean?” Victor grinned, glancing at her with feigned innocence. “You sure you know your own weight?”

She bristled. “I’m a perfect size, thank you very much.”

He was always going on about how thin she was, as if she didn’t know that being five-foot-five and ninety-five pounds was perfectly healthy.

Victor’s gaze swept over her, slow and deliberate. He leaned in, voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur beside her ear. “Mm. Perfect, indeed.”