Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Isadora walked into the office building.

Her coworkers greeted her just like they always did.

She didn't think much of it and headed straight for her office.

But as she walked down the hallway, something felt off.

Why did everyone seem to be looking at her differently today?

Their gazes were full of curiosity and gossip, like they were desperate to examine her under a magnifying glass.

She wondered if there was something on her face.

Once in her office, she pulled a small mirror from her purse and checked her reflection. Her face was spotless, makeup still perfectly in place.

Isadora shrugged, grabbed her files, and got ready for her morning meeting.

As she pushed open the conference room door-

"Congratulations, President Vaughan!"

"Congratulations, President Vaughan!"

The entire executive team shouted in unison.

The chorus practically shook the room.

Isadora stood frozen at the doorway for a moment, seeing all their beaming faces turned her way.

"Congratulations... for what?" she managed, stepping forward and taking her seat as usual. "Our mid-year numbers weren't exactly stellar, so flattery won't earn anyone a raise."

"President Vaughan, things are different now! Our whole company has changed- who cares about a few numbers?"

"That's right! President Vaughan, you're so wealthy now, you could expand the Vaughan Galleria however you like!"

Their words left her utterly bewildered.

She frowned. "What's going on?"

"You mean you haven't heard?" one of the VPs asked, eyes wide. "You're not just the CEO of Vaughan Galleria anymore! You now own twenty percent of The Fitzgerald Group. That makes you the second largest shareholder!"

"Do you realize what that means? With The Fitzgerald Group's global value, you could start a hundred Vaughan Groups if you wanted!"

Last night, she'd been tired. When Victor came home, she'd gathered that the

board meeting had gone well, but hadn't pressed for details.

Now, hearing all this, Isadora blinked, struggling to process.

She pulled out her phone and checked the news.

Headlines about The Fitzgerald Group's annual meeting were everywhere. One in particular stood out: Isadora Vaughan had become The Fitzgerald Group's second-largest shareholder overnight.

Immediately after: Isadora's net worth had shot to number 32 on the Forbes global list, making her the youngest woman in the top ranks.

She was stunned, again.

She drifted through the rest of the meeting in a daze, barely hearing a word.

Back in her office, just as she picked up her phone to call Victor and demand an explanation, her phone rang.

It was Nanette.

Isadora answered.

"Well, well, if it isn't my billionaire best friend!" Nanette's voice was bubbling with excitement.

Apparently the whole world knew-except for Isadora herself.

She sighed.

Nanette heard it loud and clear. "Hey, what's with you? You just came into a mountain of money! Shouldn't you be dancing on your desk, grinning ear to ear, feeling like you've conquered the world?" noveldrama

Isadora leaned back in her chair. "I mean... I'm happy, I guess."

"Then why do you sound like that?! Oh! Wait get it. You're carrying the Fitzgerald heir, so all their fortune will be yours anyway once the baby's born. No wonder the twenty percent barely gets a reaction."

"What are you talking about?" Isadora muttered.

Aside from a few petty moments wanting to outshine Deanna, she'd never

actually coveted the Fitzgerald fortune.

She pressed her lips together. "Honestly, I just feel... overwhelmed."

"Overwhelmed by what?"

She lowered her gaze. "Victor's so good to me that it makes me feel pressure. I'm not as amazing as he thinks I am. I can be moody and

unreasonable, and I don't th

ever really done much for him. The baby... I decided to keep for my own sake, not his..."

"Stop. Right there," Nanette interrupted, exasperated.

"Isadora, you're looking at this all wrong. Love isn't about keeping score. Victor

gave you this because he loves you. He's not expecting anything in return."