Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 157

After hearing Nanette’s explanation,

Isadora finally realized there hadn’t been a single mention online about last night—it was as if someone had deliberately buried the news.

Not that she was afraid of the world finding out about her and Victor. Given her complicated situation, though, she just didn’t want to stir up unnecessary trouble.

Still, Isadora didn’t dwell on it for long.

At that moment, Nanette’s phone rang.

“How much? Five hundred dollars? Are you sure?”

Nanette actually laughed, incredulous. “You do realize that just a couple years ago, I got fifty grand for half an hour at these ribbon-cutting gigs? Are you kidding me?”

Who would have thought—a scandal!

And not even a proven one. Just like that, years of grinding in the industry had gone to waste.

Now she’d have to pay back all those endorsement deals, cover all sorts of penalties.

Even the series she’d already filmed had been put on hold!

Overnight, she’d plummeted from A-list celebrity to tabloid fodder.

Even Faye, her agent of several years, had abandoned her at the worst possible moment.

All that generosity—buying Faye a car, even a place to live—she’d nearly found her a husband! And for what?

It was only after falling from grace that Nanette realized she’d been surrounded by snakes.

The person on the other end of the line didn’t bother to sugarcoat things either.

“Come on, princess. You really think you’re still the star you used to be? Right now, people just want you to show up so they can gawk. Give it some time, and you’ll be lucky if anyone offers you even five hundred.”

“So, yes or no? If you won’t do it, I’ll call someone else.”

Nanette thought of all the compensation payments stacking up. Swallowing her pride, she gritted her teeth. “Fine, fine, just tell me when and where.”

After hanging up, she grabbed her milk tea off the table and finished it in one long, frustrated gulp.

But the sweet, smooth drink did nothing to ease the knot in her chest.

Isadora watched from the side, concern etched on her face.

“Nanette, is there anything I can do to help?”

Nanette managed a smile. “Darling, you know what that’s called in showbiz?”

Isadora reached out, lifting Nanette’s chin with a playful grin.

“While I’ve still got some cash, let me be your sugar momma for once.”

*

The Fitzgerald family estate.

Penelope Dawson sat primly on a pinewood sofa, dressed in a dark Chanel suit, her makeup understated—gone was her usual sharp, commanding presence.

The Fitzgerald estate was enormous, designed in a modern-classic style.

The grand hall alone had nearly a dozen crimson double doors, each one guarded by uniformed staff.

Penelope had been sitting, stiff and upright, for almost two hours now.

She was growing impatient, but didn’t dare show it.

After all, getting an audience with Deanna was a rare opportunity she’d fought hard for.