Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 244

Rowena drew a long, shaky breath, her eyes locked on Isadora.

After a tense silence, she bit her lip and spoke through gritted teeth. “Abbott has some compromising photos of me. He said if our firm lands the Horizon Architects project, he’ll leak them to the press.”

Wendy caught up behind them just in time to hear this. Her face darkened as she rolled up her sleeves.

“That scumbag did what? Rowena, I swear, I’ll go knock his teeth out!”

Isadora frowned. “Wendy, if you storm over there now, those photos could be plastered all over Capitolion by tomorrow—or even in the next minute.”

*

Parking garage.

Isadora scanned the lot and spotted a tall, broad-shouldered man not far away, reaching for his car door.

She hurried over—at first walking, then picking up speed, her heels clicking sharply against the concrete as she broke into a run.

“Victor!” she called out.

Victor paused at the familiar voice, turning to see Isadora running toward him, her hair streaming behind her and her fair cheeks flushed with urgency—alive and radiant.

He’d never seen her like this before, rushing to him, breathless and determined. Something strange and unfamiliar flickered in his chest.

Afraid he might leave, Isadora ran faster. As she reached him, Victor opened his arms and caught her effortlessly, a grin tugging at his lips.

“What’s the hurry? I’m not going anywhere.”

Still catching her breath, Isadora managed, “I… I need your help with something.”

Victor arched an eyebrow, his tone playfully casual. “Let me guess—what could possibly make you this desperate? You must be here to ask me for a favor.”

The flush on Isadora’s cheeks deepened, whether from having been caught out or simply from her dash across the lot.

Isadora’s gaze lingered, a subtle spark in her eyes. This man, she realized, really was the embodiment of her every ideal.

Finally, she spoke up. “Victor, could you help me look into someone? Abbott.”

He glanced at her, a lazy amusement in his tone. “And why would you want me to do that? Planning to get even?”

She shook her head. “It’s not about me. My friend Rowena—he’s blackmailing her.”

At that, Victor’s expression turned nonchalant, his interest only mildly piqued. “Oh?”

Isadora watched him, trying to read his reaction.

“Rowena’s a close friend. I want to help her.”

Victor gave a low, dismissive chuckle. “Close enough that you’d risk every penny you have investing in a design firm on the verge of bankruptcy?”