Page 79 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“I looked at your father’s will. I think we can get the clause overturned if you wish. I know it expires in eighteen months, but the reason behind it is no longer valid. It means you can take control of the trust now,” Toby said.

Christian watched as Isabella shook her head. “I’ve no need for the money,” Isabella said. “I don’t lead a lavish lifestyle. My business is sufficient, and I have the inheritance my mother left me. It may not be of the same scale as my father’s, but I’m more than comfortable.”

Toby flashed a look at Christian and then moved his gaze back to Isabella. “The choice is yours, but I would advise that you at least inquire about your trust fund. Find out its value, ensure that it’s being managed properly. You can decide who else you would like to appoint as trustees, or you may wish to keep your current ones on. It will be easier to sort this out before you return home. You can get all theIs dotted and the Ts crossed. If you sign the paperwork now, it will save you returning later.”

“And you can do that for me?” Isabella asked.

“Yes, I can collate all the relevant information, and you will at least have an up-to-date portfolio,” Toby answered.

Christian breathed a sigh of relief when Isabella’s eyes met his. She raised a questioning eyebrow.

“The choice is yours, but there’s no harm in looking into it,” Christian added.

Isabella nodded and smiled at Toby. “I’d like to appoint you as my solicitor.”

“Great. I’ll get onto this in the morning.”

Toby pulled out the relevant paperwork and went through it with Isabella. She signed, and at the end of the meeting, they both moved to the door.

“Thank you, Toby,” Isabella said before leaving Christian to walk Toby to the lift.

Toby stood with a silly grin on his face.

“She’s a keeper,” he whispered. “Never thought I’d see the day a small fiery redhead would bring Christian Dupree to his knees.”

“I’m only going to let you get away with that comment because my daughter adores you,” Christian growled.

Maybe he wouldn’t issue him an invitation. He was not sure he could cope with his smug persona.

The lift arrived, and Toby slapped him on the back before he entered. “Tell Isabella I’ll be in touch.”

Christian forced a smile as the lift closed on Toby’s grin.

He walked back into the apartment. Toby wasn’t wrong. A fiery redheadhadbrought him to his knees. He just didn’t know what to do about it. He knew Isabella was anxious about what Toby might uncover, although they were all at a loss about what that could be. Christian understood why Isabella had kept quiet about her concerns. She did not want to influence Toby’s work. He, however, didn’t do coincidences. Not when people like Pierce and Edward Lebroc were involved.

Chapter Thirty-five

Isabella

After her meeting with Toby, Isabella pushed hard to put the niggling feeling in the back of her mind. She spent time with Scarlett, had lunch with Star, who was getting bigger by the day, and even popped in to see Danielle. Nothing like healing old wounds to enable you to move forward. It also helped to open the doorway to memories she had suppressed—memories of her father and the things they had done together, the plans they had made for the future. Plans that had died the day he had.

Before Isabella knew it, it was time for Skylar’s career week. Skylar had asked that she come in and discuss The Retreat and what they did there. That wasn’t a problem. It was a small business, and Isabella had done her degree in business and marketing. Skylar had also begged her to do some yoga with the class. Isabella had the impression Skylar was more interested in the yoga teaching aspect than the business side. But as Christian pointed out, by showing both, she was pointing out to the children how a passion or hobby could be turned into a career. Isabella had never thought about it like that, but when he said it, she used that as her tagline to hook the class in.

Skylar was so excited when Isabella and Star turned up. Star agreed to accompany Isabella to the school. Laura, Toby’s wife, and Star’s best friend, was also Skylar’s teacher. Star had introduced them as soon as Isabella had agreed to participate in career week, and Laura had thought it would be a wonderful idea if Isabella gave the class a yoga lesson and talk. Especially as mindfulness and well-being were becoming such an important part of the curriculum.

When Isabella walked into the classroom, all the children were sitting on the carpet at the front. The tables had been pushed to one side to make some space. Skylar stepped up to the front, clasping Isabella’s hand and grinning at her.

“This is Isabella,” Skylar said, introducing her.

“Is she the lady your daddy was kissing in the paper?” one boy asked.

Isabella felt her cheeks redden. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea. How could she have forgotten about that?

Skylar was unfazed. Instead, she shot the boy in question a look that could kill before smiling sweetly at him.

“It is. And she’s awesome. She runs the best yoga retreat in Thailand and has been teaching me yoga. So be quiet and listen.”

Skylar’s hands were now on her hips. Isabella’s eyes flicked to Star and Laura at the back. Star was looking at the ground. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she tried not to laugh. Well, if Star wasn’t concerned, then she wouldn’t be. The boy who had spoken up had gone silent under Skylar’s stare before shrugging and looking away.

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