Accepting the invitation felt like the smarter move. It would allow her to assess Vanessa’s true motives. Isabella gave a slow, deliberate nod. “Fine. I’ll be there.”
Vanessa’s face instantly lit up with victory. “Perfect! It’s settled. Six o’clock sharp. Don’t you dare be late.” She turned and strode from the room, her confidence radiating.
Isabella watched her leave, her expression unreadable. A cold, calculating smile touched her lips.
Later that afternoon, the storeroom door opened with a soft creak.
“Isabella? Got a minute?” Chloe stepped inside, her cheerful presence brightening the dim space. Her chestnut curls framed her doll-like face.
She held two frothy milkshakes.
Isabella looked up, meeting Chloe’s concerned gaze. She managed a small smile. “Chloe. What’s up?”
Chloe approached, setting one milkshake on the cluttered desk before taking a seat. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I have some serious gossip for you.”
“What kind of gossip?” Isabella asked, idly stirring her drink. A faint sense of dread began to coil in her stomach.
“Sophia is on a business trip!”
“A business trip?” Isabella’s brow furrowed slightly. “That’s not unusual, is it?”
“Unusual? Try bizarre! Guess where she’s going? Northwood!” Chloe’s voice was full of drama. “That place is in the middle of nowhere! Can you believe Mr. Blackwood actually sent her there? It’s so weird!”
Northwood.
A cold shiver shot down Isabella’s spine.
That place…
She kept her face perfectly neutral, feigning casual interest. “What’s so bad about Northwood? It’s just another project site.”
Chloe gave her a knowing look, leaning even closer. “That project is a notorious graveyard for careers! So many companies have failed there. And now Mr. Blackwood sends Sophia? Doesn’t that seem suspicious to you?”
A flutter of anxiety tightened Isabella’s chest. Her grip on the milkshake tightened unconsciously. She lowered her eyes to hide her unease. Chloe took a long sip of her own drink, sighing contentedly.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she looked up. “Hey, are you free tonight? Feel like some shopping?”
Isabella thought for a moment, then shook her head with genuine regret. “I can’t. The design department has a team event.”
“Oh.” Chloe’s face fell slightly. “Another time, then.” She leaned in again, her voice dropping to a serious murmur. “Just… be careful around that Vanessa. She’s bad news.”
Isabella offered a wry smile at her friend’s dramatic tone. “Noted. Thanks for the warning.”
They chatted a while longer before Chloe finally left.
“Isabella, let’s go! Everyone’s waiting for karaoke!” At half past five, Vanessa burst into the office.
Before Isabella could even respond, Vanessa was pulling her toward the door. Isabella still clutched a design draft, nearly stumbling over the edge of her desk. “Wait, I’m not quite—”
“Oh, come on! No more delays! They’ve all left already!” Vanessa exclaimed, dragging her out.
Vanessa, wearing a tight dress that accentuated her figure, led the way. Her grip on Isabella’s arm was deceptively friendly but surprisingly strong. Isabella tried to pull free several times, but it was futile.