Chapter 35
“Isabella, I have something else to handle. Why don’t you head back first?” Logan said.
Isabella nodded understandingly and turned to leave.
At the door, she spotted Addy and flashed him what she thought was a charming, flirtatious smile.
She didn’t notice the mocking curl of his lips as soon as he turned away.
He thought, ‘She’s so flirtatious, so cheap. What does Logan even see in her? Why did he trade a perfectly good wife for that?‘
But other people’s messy relationships weren’t his problem. When Logan called him in, Addy stepped inside without another thought.
Partnering with the Finch Group was Logan’s backup plan.
If things fell through with Nathan, an alliance with the Finch Group was the next best move.
A solid collaboration would ensure that even without the Turner Group, the Eliot Group wouldn’t be easily cornered.
Faced with a powerful new player, everyone’s instinct was the same.
On this, Addy and Logan saw eye to eye.
Meanwhile, Isabella, thrilled with the 180 thousand from Logan, left the Eliot Group and headed straight for the downtown luxury boutiques.
Actually, she had zero intention of using the money for any studio.
She’d already blown through all the funds Logan gave her when she first returned, not a penny went toward building a career.
Right now, her only goal was figuring out how to stun everyone at the gala tonight.
She was convinced the only reason Logan hadn’t divorced Eliana and married her yet was because he felt no pressure.
Once he saw how popular she still was at the charity event, that competitive urge would kick in, and he’d move to secure her.
Smiling to herself, Isabella spent hours hunting for the most dazzling jewelry her budget could buy. Just as she was about to make a purchase, a commotion nearby caught her attention.
She looked over and saw Eliana blocked by a man in a suit.
“Ms. Lyons, you’ve stalled for days,” the man argued, frustration clear. “The construction site is idle, burning money every single day. I need a straight answer today. Can this project move forward or not?
Chapter 35
“If not, we’ll have to pack up and leave now.”
Eliana understood his urgency. She was essentially waiting for Nathan’s final decision.
But even if he said no, she wouldn’t give up. She’d find another way to revive this project.
EL 38 vouchers
She knew its future value and that the Lyons Group couldn’t afford the breach penalties. Failure wasn’t an option.
Her determined stance, however, didn’t seem to convince him.
Seeing this, Isabella sauntered over with a smirk. “Well, it’s Ms. Lyons.
“What’s this? Weren’t you so sure about divorcing Logan?
“You just left Logan and you’re struggling like this?
“Ms. Lyons, how pitiful you are.”
Turning to the agitated man, Isabella continued, “I suggest you cut your losses and get out now. Otherwise, no one’s coming to save you.
“Everyone knows the state the Lyons Group is in. Where would she get the funds for a new project? She’s barely keeping the company afloat as it is.
“And now, with her and Mr. Eliot headed for divorce, there’s no safety net left. If you don’t run now, you’ll be left with nothing.”
Before she could finish, Irene swung her handbag and smacked Isabella right in the face. “Everyone, look. It’s the homewrecker. Let’s give her what she deserves!”
Eliana was stunned for a second, and then couldn’t help but laugh.
Remembering the crowd, she quickly masked it with a sob. “She’s the one who destroyed my family. And she has the nerve to talk about my divorce!”
Pulling out her phone, she showed the screenshot from yesterday to the gathering onlookers.
She snapped, “Look at this. See how brazen mistresses are these days?
“Logan and I aren’t even divorced yet. She’s staying in my house, wearing my pajamas, posting this online just to taunt me. How can anyone be so shameless?”
The crowd immediately erupted in murmurs and pointed fingers.
Hearing herself called a homewrecker, Isabella tried to shout back, but Irene’s bag came swinging again, silencing her with a solid thwack.
“Isabella, you shameless homewrecker! Get lost now, or I’ll make sure you regret it,” Eliana yelled, drawing the heat onto herself.
Chapter 35
She couldn’t let Irene bear the brunt of Isabella’s future spite.
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Isabella flailed with her own bag, cursing violently, but she was no match for the two of them. Finally, she turned desperately to the worried man. “Just look at her. Does she look like someone capable of running a
business?
“I was just telling you the truth, trying to save you from ruin. Look how they treat me. You’re on your own.”
With that, unable to handle Irene’s ferocious attacks any longer, Isabella covered her head and scurried away.
With the drama over, Eliana looked at the man, who was still watching her with deep worry. She was wracking her brain for a way to convince him when her eyes landed on Nathan leaning casually against a wall not far
off.
He’d been watching the whole spectacle, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips.
While she was here, disheveled and putting on a show, he stood there looking pristine, cool, and detached, as if existing in a completely different world.
Seeing him like that made Eliana grit her teeth.
Noticing her reaction, Irene followed her gaze.
Spotting Nathan, she raised an eyebrow and whispered, “What an awkward encounter.
“Oh no, Eliana. He saw your fierce side. Do you think it’ll ruin your pure image in his mind? I’ve been rooting for you two to reconnect!”
Eliana shot Irene a glare. “You need to read less romance novels.”
Turning back to the anxious man, she spoke with renewed confidence. “Honestly, you don’t need to worry about the project funding. Even if Logan is out, someone far more capable has stepped in.
“See that gentleman over there? He’s Mr. Turner. I’m sure you know of him. He’s investing in this project. So, you can rest assured. The project will proceed with even greater investment than before.”
