Chapter 467
Chapter 467:
“I do not have time,” Isolde said without looking up. “You go enjoy it p>
Arland walked in holding a cup of coffee. He took off his glasses and wiped them on his shirt.
“You should go, Isolde,” Arland advised. “High-intensity brain work requires physical decompression. Your muscles are tense.” He put his glasses back on. “Plus, it is an informal networking event. A lot of the judges might be there p>
Isolde stopped typing. Networking was a crucial, unspoken part of the ISSDC grading rubric.
“Fine,” Isolde agreed. “But I am not staying long p>
Across the estate, in the main building, Belle held the same gold card in her hand. She was standing in front of a full-length mirror, holding up a tiny, bright red bikini.
“What do you think of this one?” Belle asked. “Gray will definitely love it p>
Daron sat on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. He let out a sleazy laugh.
“Not just Gray,” Daron said. “Carter Sterling will be there too. Belle, this is your golden opportunity.” He stood and walked over. “If you can show Carter that you have a much better body than that washed-up housewife, maybe you can steal his investment away from Carson Dynamics p>
Belle puffed out her chest confidently. “Of course I can. Isolde had a kid. Her body was ruined five years ago p>
In the next room, Grayson lay face down on his bed, listening through the open door. The thought of entering a hot, mineral-rich pool with a back covered in second-degree burns was medically absurd — it would mean excruciating pain and a severe risk of infection. He had no intention of going.
𝘘𝗎аl𝗂𝗍𝘆 𝘁𝗿а𝗇s𝗅𝘢tі𝗈𝗇ѕ oո
Daron walked into the bedroom.
“Come on, Gray, you should go,” Daron urged. “The steam is good for your skin. And besides… do you really want to sit here while Carter Sterling puts his hands all over Isolde in the water p>
That sentence hit Grayson’s absolute breaking point. He gritted his teeth and pushed himself up with his left arm.
“I’ll go to the terrace,” Grayson growled. “But I’m not getting in the water p>
That afternoon, the VIP thermal spa was wrapped in a thick, warm mist. The pool was built into natural rock formations and surrounded by bamboo screens.
Harper and Arland were already in the water.
Isolde sat on the edge of the stone pool, wrapped tightly in a thick white bathrobe, still scrolling through data on her waterproof tablet.
Carter swam over to the edge. Water dripped from his broad, muscular shoulders.
“Hey, workaholic,” Carter teased. “Put the screen down. The water temperature is perfect p>
Isolde sighed. She set the tablet on a dry towel, stood, and untied the belt of her bathrobe. She let the heavy white fabric slide off her shoulders and fall to the stone floor.