EuropeNovelChapter 175 Hearing those words, Richard froze for a moment, stunned.
If Isadora really left the Vaughan Group now, would they lose their chance to profit from the Fitzgerald family? That prize was practically within their grasp.
He still had ambitious plans brewing-another huge project on the horizon, hoping Victor would invest another billion dollars. A shadow flickered in Richard's eyes. He absolutely couldn't let Isadora just walk away like this. At the very least, he had to make sure the Vaughan Group squeezed every possible benefit out of the Fitzgerald Group before she left.
"Isadora, you're a daughter of the Vaughan family. The family business is part of your legacy too. If you resign now, the rumors swirling around outside will only get worse! I can't possibly agree to this!" Isadora rose from her seat. "I'm not here to negotiate, Richard. I cto inform you. Whether you agree or not is no longer my concern." Only love makes you fight for something. Without it, the Vaughan Group was just another job that didn't suit her anymore.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWith that, Isadora turned and walked out.
Richard called after her, anger lacing his voice. "Isadora! Since when do you ignore your own father?" Prescott, unable to watch any longer, spoke up. "Dad, if she wants to go, let her go. You still have me." Richard's broad palm landed on the back of Prescott's head with a sharp smack. "What do you know? If you're so capable, go finda Capitol City heiress, then!" "The Fitzgeralds have run their investment firm for a century. The Fitzgerald Group controls billions in assets. If Victor's willing, the Vaughan family could be the top family in Capitol City. But if Isadora's gone, do you think Victor will still look at us the sway?" Back in her office, Isadora began packing up her things and closing out her work. Each file on her desk, every project-she'd poured sleepless nights into them all.
She ran her fingers over the typed pages. A pang of reluctance tugged at her heart; after all, she'd given four years of her life to this place. She had started at the very bottom and clawed her way up, step by step, until she finally beca director at the Vaughan Group. The journey had been grueling; she'd sacrificed so much.
All that time, she'd pushed herself harder and harder, craving Richard and Eleanor's approval. In the end, it was just a lonely celebration-hers alone.
Now, it was finally over. Their recognition meant nothing to her anymore.
Why keep fighting for a crown in someone else's kingdom? She'd rather build her own.
Isadora decided to launch her own design studio. She did squick calculations -she had enough liquid assets set aside. Renting an office and hiring a small team-the initial investment would be around half a million. As long as she could land a few projects and get started, she could slowly turn a profit.
That evening, on her way out after work, Isadora passed by a newly opened luxury boutique in the shopping mall. The store was lavishly decorated, every detail exuding elegance; soft golden light bathed the displays, making the merchandise glow.
The mall seemed to have cleared out for a VIP event. Two staff members stood at the entrance, ensuring privacy. Inside, an elderly lady in a dark, regal gown sat gracefully, a string of emeralds at her throat. Several attendants hovered nearby, and the sales associates-clearly unaccustomed to such high-profile guests- waited on her with nervous deference.
Isadora peered through the boutique's glass window. The elderly woman's gaze met hers-deep, unreadable, but full of unspoken meaning.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIsadora paused, her fingers tightening involuntarily around her purse.
A moment later, Pattie the Fitzgerald family's butler-stepped outside. "Miss Vaughan, what a doincidence. Would you care to join the lady for a bit of shopping?" Isadora pressed her lips together, hesitating for a moment before following Pattie inside.
"Mrs. Fitzgerald," she greeted quietly.
Deanna Fitzgerald sat on a velvet sofa, delicately picking up the fine bone china teacup the sales clerk had prepared. She smiled. "Miss Vaughan, ever since M Boutique opened in your family's mall, there's been a surge of luxury stores. Quite the transformation." Isadora looked down, feeling a faint, taut string inside her snap-softly, but with surprising force.
"It's rare for us to meet like this. Why don't you pick out something you like? My treat," Deanna offered.
Isadora stood still, not browsing the displays. Instead, she pulled a folder from her bag and handed over the documents for the 30% equity stake. "Mrs. Fitzgerald, I can't accept this," she said quietly.
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