“Victoria, don’t cry. Take a deep breath. Whatever it is, I’m right here with you,” Isabella reassured her, gently rubbing her back.

Her soothing tone seemed to calm Victoria slightly.

“Isabella…” Victoria’s voice was still hoarse. “I’m so sorry…”

Isabella’s heart skipped a beat.

An hour later, Sophia relaxed in her lavish villa, swirling a glass of red wine. She wore a silk robe that accentuated her flawless skin and long legs.

A text notification chimed softly. Sophia set her wine down and picked up her phone.

The message was from Victoria. Short and direct. “Miss Reed, I accept your offer.”

A triumphant smile spread across Sophia’s face. She knew Victoria would eventually agree.

“Just you wait, Isabella. The real game is about to begin,” she murmured, picking up her glass again.

Meanwhile, at Blackwood Enterprises, Ethan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, whiskey in hand. Documents piled on his desk remained untouched.

“Damn it,” he muttered, downing the whiskey.

It burned his throat but did nothing to ease his frustration. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar.

Driven by impulse, he grabbed his keys and left. His black Maybach cut through the night, stopping near Isabella’s neighborhood.

He looked up at her window. A warm light glowed in the darkness, stirring something inside him.

“What am I doing?” He laughed bitterly. “Acting like a lovesick fool.”

He was about to drive away when movement caught his eye.

Zoe? What was she doing here?

He frowned and rolled down the window for a better look.

Zoe was pushing a shopping cart filled with groceries when she suddenly slipped and fell.

“Ouch!” she cried out, tumbling to the ground as her belongings scattered.

“Serves her right,” Ethan muttered coldly, ready to look away.

Just then, Zoe looked up and saw him. Surprise flickered across her face. She quickly stood up, brushed off her clothes, and smoothed her hair. She walked toward his car with a bright smile.

Leaning against the window, she flashed him a sugary grin. “Mr. Blackwood, do you live around here too? What a coincidence.”

Ethan’s expression remained cold and unreadable. Zoe felt a shiver of unease but maintained her smile. “So… are you here to see someone?” she asked, her voice dripping with implication.

Ethan barely glanced at her. “None of your business.”

Without another word, he pressed a button and the window slid up, shutting her out completely.

Zoe’s smile vanished. She clenched her jaw, biting her lip to hide her humiliation.