Page 68 of Isabela

I hand it to her once I retrieve it, only to hear someone pounding at the door.

“Fuck,” I grunt. “He’s in a mood.”

Isabela smirks as she applies some lotion to her head and the back of her neck as I walk to the front door.

“I’m coming!” I call out as I check the camera at the door to make sure it’s Theodore. I won’t take anything for granted anymore.

He glares at me from my front stoop as I open the door. “It’s about damn time, Gael,” he says. “Now, where is she?”

“Are you leaving your driver in my driveway?” I ask, letting him in.

“Yes, he’s going to talk to his sister who lives abroad, anyway,” he says with a shrug.

Isabella walks into the foyer, no longer looking as foggy or in pain. I make myself a note to get more of this lotion made up for the household, since it seems to work best for her.

“Hi, Theodore,” she says mildly as he bustles inside.

“Hello, dear. Come here, let me look at you,” he says. I notice he uses his cane a bit more than normal, and it worries me. Theodore Travers is such a force of nature, it always feels as if nothing will knock him down.

Isabela walks toward him as I close the door behind him, noting that his driver appears to be on a video call with someone. Isa has the impression of fingers on her jaw, a dark bruise on her cheek, and a split lip.

Theodore opens his arms to her, and she practically throws herself at him. Sighing, he hugs her tightly. “Michael tells me he picked up Elijah Cohen, and Lily is in one of our bunkers, awaiting her trial,” he murmurs as he holds Isa.

Trial is a nice way to say ‘I’m going to interrogate her while torturing her’, but sure. I need to know how far the betrayal goes.

“Isabela, I think we need to put forward some kind of action plan,” he murmurs. “Let’s chat, yes?”

Nodding, she takes a step back and we move to the living room. “What kind of action plan?” she asks. There are tears on her cheeks, but she dashes them quickly away.

At any other time I’d question her about them, but I’ll leave her to her emotions. Theodore is safe, and tears can be healing.

“I want to destroy Charles Markship and Elijah’s reputations, but first I need you to call for a board meeting to get him removed from his position,” Theodore says.

“We’ll need a press release as well before our news blast, won’t we?” I ask. Pulling out my phone, I start to take notes, as Theodore finds a chair he likes and sits. Isa moves to the couch and sinks into a corner of it as I sit beside her.

“Yes. Isabela, I want to make sure we protect your company as much as possible before we do this. The problem is…”

“My uncle was in charge of the company while he did these things,” Isabela finishes. “Is there any way to prove he may have killed my parents?”

“No, but I was able to get a hold of your parents’ will. Elijah didn’t think anyone would contest it since they haven’t for so long, but in his safe there are two versions of their last will and testaments. One of the documents says that if your parents both passed away, you would go to live with Harrison and his wife,” Theodore says, sea green eyes stony.

“Oh wow,” I grunt.

“Shit,” Isabela whispers, eyes wide. “Who would have had control over the company?”

“The Eagna Society would have had someone in place as acting chief executive officer until you were ready to take over,” Theodore answers. “You said the financial stability is a bit worrisome?”

“Yes,” she murmurs. “I need to really do a deep dive into the accounts to find out how bad it truly is. Things could have been so different.”

Theodore smiles sadly as he waits for everything to sink in for her.

“There would be no reason to have two such different documents in his possession if he wasn’t the reason your parents had the accident,” he says. “Now, what are your thoughts?”

“I don’t know many of the men on the board outside of the fundraiser events I went to with my parents. I’m also unsure what they’ll think of me when I go into that meeting. Especially since I don’t have much proof,” she laments.

“You’re currently a walking billboard of truth,” I remind her. I don’t want to be an asshole, but she’s the heiress, even if she doesn’t have any money. “Schedule a meeting and walk proudly into that boardroom. Show them the proof in the financial books and the recording you have from October.”

Isabela is quiet before she nods. “I’ll schedule it for tomorrow. I want time to prepare,” she adds. “What else are you thinking about?”

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