Chapter 590
Chapter 590:
“Sir,” he said quietly. “Your mother, Madam Victoria, just called. She requested that I remind you about your fitting appointment this evening for the Lancaster Charity Gala.” He paused. “She also mentioned that Miss Escobar will be attending the fitting. She expects you to present a unified front for the family’s public image p>
At the mention of Belle’s name, dark, violent anger flared in Grayson’s chest. “You tell my mother,” he snarled, his voice filling the room, “that if she attempts to force Belle Escobar into my presence again, I will personally leak the InnoTech embezzlement audit to the Wall Street Journal tonight p>
Silas’s eyes widened slightly. He gave a sharp nod. “Understood, sir p>
Across the city, Isolde parked near the wrought-iron gates of a prestigious Manhattan private elementary school. The final bell had rung, and children in neat uniforms were spilling out onto the sidewalk, laughing and running toward their waiting nannies and drivers.
Isolde scanned the crowd until she found Effie—standing alone near the stone wall, far from the other children, hugging her backpack tightly to her chest. Her head was bowed and her small shoulders were slumped in defeat.
A sharp, physical pain pierced Isolde’s chest. She got out of the car quickly and hurried over, kneeling on the concrete without a thought for her expensive coat.
“Effie, sweetheart,” she said softly, touching the girl’s arm. “What is wrong p>
Effie looked up. Her large eyes were swimming with unshed tears. “Kaiden pushed me in the cafeteria today,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “He told everyone that I am a loser because I do not have a daddy anymore p>
A surge of pure, maternal fury ignited in Isolde’s veins. Belle had clearly been poisoning Kaiden’s mind, using the boy as a weapon against her daughter.
Isolde pulled Effie into a fierce, protective embrace and kissed the top of her head. “Listen to me, Effie. You do have a father. He is simply not a man worthy of being in your life right now. But you have me. And I promise you, no one will ever look down on you again p>
Isolde reached into her pocket for her phone, her thumb hovering over Harper Vance’s name—her only true confidante in the city. Before she could tap the screen, it lit up with a text from Harper herself.
𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖿𝗋𝖾𝖾 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗌 𝗈𝗇
Just finished a meeting near you. Want to grab Effie and get some revenge ice cream?
Before Isolde could type a reply, the deafening roar of a V8 engine shattered the quiet street. A cherry-red Ferrari Roma pulled up to the curb, parking illegally in the bus zone. The passenger window rolled down.
Harper Vance sat behind the wheel in oversized Prada sunglasses, wearing a wicked grin. “Hey, my gorgeous girls!” she called over the engine noise. “Get in! We are going on a mission p>
Isolde stood and took Effie’s hand, managing a small smile. “A mission to where p>
Harper lowered her sunglasses and winked at Effie. “Bergdorf Goodman,” she announced. “The Lancaster Charity Gala is this weekend, and I heard through the grapevine that Belle is going to be there, parading around like she owns the city. We are going to buy armor. We are going to walk into that ballroom and absolutely destroy her p>
Message from Noa: Hope you have a great Tuesday dear readers, God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. p>