Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus) novel Chapter 301

Prescott had just been thrown out.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd, everyone watching to see how Terrell would handle the situation with the Vaughan Group.

Terrell took the microphone from the host, his gentle eyes flicking briefly to Isadora.

When Isadora caught the reassuring look he sent her way, her nerves settled just a little.

But Terrell quickly looked away, addressing the audience once more.

“Our association is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. From the very beginning, our goal has been friendly exchange and mutual growth. Over the years, we’ve become a benchmark in the industry. It’s that openness and willingness to embrace new ideas that’s allowed us to flourish.”

“As for what just happened—this is ultimately a matter for the Vaughan Group to resolve internally. It’s not our place to interfere or make hasty judgments.”

With Mr. Fawcett’s word, the crowd relaxed. The commotion faded, the drama slowly losing its sting.

Janet, Isadora’s assistant, finally hurried back.

She kept her head down and spoke softly, “I’m sorry, President Vaughan—I wasn’t able to call security in time.”

Isadora gave her a long, meaningful look.

She’d always known Janet had a tendency for little schemes behind the scenes. But Isadora had forgiven her, remembering how Janet had been fresh out of college when she first started as her assistant. This time, though, Janet had crossed a line.

Isadora’s expression hardened. “Starting today, you don’t need to follow me anymore.”

Janet stared at her, stunned. “President Vaughan, you’re firing me just because I was five minutes late calling security?”

Isadora let out a cold laugh. “Do you really want me to list all the things you’ve done behind my back?”

“For instance—when Pearl stole the project proposal from my office and took it to the Fitzgerald Group to pitch for funding, are you going to pretend you didn’t know? Didn’t you cover for her?”

Janet hadn’t expected Isadora to bring up something from so long ago. Back then, she’d just graduated—she hadn’t wanted to get involved in the Vaughan family’s internal feuds, so she’d kept quiet.

Isadora, she thought bitterly, is the worst kind of boss—holding grudges, pretending to let things go, only to bring them up again later. Janet wasn’t about to stick around for this.

She turned on her heel and stormed off, anger written all over her face.

It was Magnus’s birthday. Isadora had rented out a restaurant, planning an intimate candlelit dinner to celebrate. But Magnus had stood her up—again.

She’d waited until closing time. The staff told her they needed to lock up. Isadora stared at the cold plates on the table and the untouched cake, unwilling to let the night end that way.

She’d pleaded with the staff to let her stay until midnight, just one more hour. But they’d refused—restaurant policy, they said.

Then, a man passing by overheard her request. He paused, then told the staff, “Let her stay. The restaurant closes when this lady is ready to leave.”

She hadn’t realized until now—that man had been Terrell.

Isadora’s eyes widened. “That was you.”

Terrell chuckled softly. “How are things between you and your boyfriend now?”

Isadora shook her head, her answer simple. “I’m single.”

Terrell’s smile deepened. He remembered—it had been the night his first love, Winnie, chose her dream of ballet over him and left.