Chapter 434
Chapter 434:
Isolde looked at the car. It was ostentatious, impractical, and utterly unsuited to her new life. It was a statement — just not one she wanted to make.
“I don’t want it,” she said simply. “I want that one p>
She pointed to a silver-grey BMW X7 tucked away in a corner. Solid, safe, and discreet.
The manager blinked. “That’s a family SUV, ma’am. Its price is merely a tenth of the Ferrari’s p>
“I have a daughter,” Isolde stated plainly. “I need an ISOFIX interface, not a zero-to-sixty acceleration time.” She ran a hand along the BMW’s clean lines. “And its safety rating is the highest p>
Jо𝗶𝘯 𝘵𝗁о𝘂𝘀𝖺𝗻𝘥ѕ 𝗼𝖿 𝘧𝖺𝗇ѕ 𝗈𝗻
“But Mr. Lancaster authorized an unlimited budget,” the manager stammered.
“Good,” Isolde said. “Then take the remaining budget and donate it to a scholarship for female engineers. In the name of the Carson Company p>
She slid into the driver’s seat of the X7. The solid, familiar weight of the mechanics grounded her — a stark contrast to the flighty thrill of a supercar. She gripped the steering wheel. This was the kind of vehicle she needed now.
Harper leaned against the open passenger door. “Are you sure? That Ferrari would have driven Belle insane with jealousy p>
Isolde offered a small, genuine smile. “Belle is going to be angry no matter what I do. I’m more concerned with staying alive p>
She signed the paperwork. There was no need for a loan — the funds were transferred directly from the Lancaster Group. With practiced ease, she retrieved Effie’s car seat from Harper’s car and installed it securely in the back. As she drove the X7 out of the dealership, the scent of new leather mingled with the intoxicating smell of freedom.
Meanwhile, in a high-rise office overlooking Central Park, Grayson received the report from his assistant.
“She chose the X7,” Arthur said, holding a tablet. “And she instructed the dealership to donate the price difference to a scholarship for female engineers, in her company’s name p>
Grayson gazed out the window, a faint smile playing on his lips. “She always did know how to make my money spend more meaningfully p>
“You bought her a car p>
A sharp voice cut through the quiet office. Belle stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
“Is this what you call business compensation p>
Grayson’s smile vanished, replaced by cool indifference. “This was a corporate decision. Would you like one too? Perhaps if you’re willing to drive it into a mountain p>
Belle flinched as if struck, her face contorted with a fury she couldn’t voice.
Back in the quiet cabin of the BMW, Isolde’s phone rang.
An unfamiliar landline number.
She answered, putting it on speaker. “Hello p>
“Isolde.” A commanding, elderly female voice filled the car, each syllable laced with cold authority. “This is Beatrice Lancaster p>
The Lancaster Estate, Long Island.
The iron gates loomed out of the fog like the jaws of a beast.
Isolde drove the new X7 up the long gravel driveway. Effie sat in the back, clutching her stuffed rabbit.
“Mommy, the windows are all different sizes,” Effie whispered. “The patterns on the stone don’t repeat. It’s not symmetrical. It makes my head feel fuzzy p>