Chapter 510
Chapter 510:
Before Isolde could object further, Nelson escorted her out of the lab and closed the door firmly behind her. There was no room for negotiation.
She stood on the street outside the Institute, holding the leave order, feeling oddly unmoored. After years of uninterrupted work, she had no idea what to do with free time, or where to go looking for it.
Just as she reached the entrance to the parking garage, a roar of an engine approached. A red convertible skidded to a dramatic halt directly in front of her, the air stirring gently as it braked.
Harper pushed open the door, slid her sunglasses onto her head, and let out a loud whistle. “Get in, birthday girl! Did you really think you’d sneak off to pick up the kid? Not a chance p>
The passenger window rolled down, and Arland Roth shook his head with exaggerated exasperation, a warm smile playing at his lips. He held up a large, luxury-branded gift bag and waved it at her.
Isolde stood still, watching her two uninvited and perfectly timed friends. A sharp pang rose in her chest, and her eyes unexpectedly grew moist. She turned away briefly to collect herself, then looked back at them, her voice thick but full of warmth.
“You two are absolutely impossible p>
“Harper bet me Professor Nelson would kick you out by mid-morning,” Arland said, his tone light and amused. “Looks like she won p>
Isolde let out a short, exasperated laugh. “You colluded with my professor p>
Arland stepped out and held the door open for her, his manner shifting into something more sincere. “Small gathering tonight in Soho. Just a few close friends — no outsiders, no business talk p>
W𝘩а𝘁 𝘦𝘷е𝗿𝘆𝘰𝗇𝘦 𝗂𝘴 r𝖾𝖺𝗱𝗶𝘯𝘨 oո ѕ.𝘤𝗈m
Isolde hesitated. “I don’t really fit in at those kinds of events. Maybe I shouldn’t p>
Arland’s tone dropped its playfulness. He looked her in the eye directly.
“Isolde, you just won the top engineering award in the country. You have been running yourself into the ground for work and for Effie. This weekend is for you. Can’t you live for yourself, just this once p>
The words landed somewhere deep. For years she had lived for her family, her work, her daughter — never once simply for herself. In that moment, something in her softened.
She took a slow breath and climbed into the car, settling into her seat and laying down one firm condition.
“Fine. I’ll come. But I’m not wearing a dress. I’m not comfortable in them p>
Arland laughed quietly and closed the door with care. “Harper has already prepared something for you. Your objection is overruled p>
The car pulled smoothly into traffic. Isolde leaned back and watched the streets drift past, and made a quiet, deliberate decision — just this once — to let her guard down and rest.
Meanwhile, in a high-rise office building on the very same block, Grayson sat on his office sofa in silence, listening as his assistant reported every detail of Isolde’s movements. His expression gave away nothing at all.