Chapter 216
As Arland’s car pulled out of the parking lot and merged into traffic, Grayson’s Bentley was just emerging from the gallery’s valet. For a split second, the two vehicles were side by side. Grayson looked through the tinted glass and caught a glimpse of Isolde’s profile.
She wasn’t crying. She looked like iron. She looked unbreakable.
And as she sped away toward her own empire, Grayson felt a chill of genuine terror.
The CyberNet headquarters loomed like a steel beast against the overcast sky, its glass façade reflecting the gray clouds. Isolde stepped out of the car the moment it rolled to a halt, her movements sharp and decisive. Arland followed close behind, adjusting his cuffs.
But before they could reach the revolving doors, a mocking voice cut through the humid air.
“Well, look who it is.”
Isolde stopped. Standing near the entrance, chatting with a group of high-level executives, was Daron McKnight. He spotted them and detached himself from the group, sauntering over with a smirk that made her skin crawl.
𝗠оs𝘁 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 t𝗁is 𝗐ее𝗄 o𝗇 𝗀а𝗅n𝗈𝘷𝗲lѕ.𝗰𝗈𝘮
“Arland,” Daron drawled, his eyes sliding dismissively over Isolde. “Bringing family to visit the server room? That’s hardly compliant with protocol.”
Arland’s posture stiffened. “Isolde is Orbital’s Chief Tech Consultant. Watch your tone, Daron.”
“Tech Consultant?” Daron burst into laughter, loud enough to turn heads. “Don’t make me laugh. Everyone knows she’s just a vase — meant for display, not for heavy lifting.”
Isolde didn’t wait for Arland to retort. She stepped forward, positioning herself directly in front of Daron, her entire presence shifting from calm to freezing cold.
“Daron,” she said, her voice steady and precise. “If you spent half the time you use mocking others on InnoTech’s R&D, maybe your new drone fleet wouldn’t have disintegrated during the wind tunnel test three days ago.”
Daron’s smirk vanished instantly, replaced by genuine shock. “How — how do you know the test data? That’s classified.”
Isolde let out a short, cold laugh. “Because it’s a deduction based on common sense. Just like common sense tells me your current behavior qualifies as textbook workplace harassment.”
“You —”
“Bad uncle!”
A small voice rang out from the car. Effie had poked her head through the window, her face scrunched in outrage. “Don’t bully Mommy!”
Daron opened his mouth to snap back — but a sleek black sedan pulling up to the curb silenced him. The door opened and Grayson stepped out, looking impeccable but harried. The system failure alert had clearly pulled him from a meeting.
He heard Effie’s shout and frowned, his gaze moving between Daron and Isolde. “What is going on here?”
Daron’s face transformed instantly, adopting a respectful, almost servile expression. “Nothing, Grayson. Just saying hello to my ex-sister-in-law.”
Isolde looked at Grayson, her eyes devoid of warmth. “Control your dog, Grayson.”
Grayson’s jaw tightened. “Isolde, watch your manners. Show some breeding.”
“My manners are reserved for those who deserve them,” Isolde shot back. “As for you — wait for the lawyer’s letter. And this time, it’s real.”
Grayson let out a scoff. “Another divorce threat? Haven’t you performed enough?”
Isolde didn’t dignify that with a response. She checked her watch and turned away. “We’re late, Arland. Manager Sullivan is waiting.”