Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Ever since that last time-

After Isadora left, she didn't hesitate for a second before pulling her investment from Seafarer Designs.

The company, already teetering on the brink, was now facing bankruptcy, short on both funds and projects.

Rowena clutched Isadora's hands in a desperate plea.

"Isadora, you've poured your heart into Seafarer Designs too. I know you don't want to see it go under. Can't you help me just one more time? Just this once- I'm really out of options!"

Isadora coolly slid her hands free. "That's your problem, not mine."

No matter how much Rowena begged, Isadora remained unmoved.

For weeks now, it hadn't mattered how many apology messages she sent to Isadora or Nanette-neither of them ever replied. It was as if she didn't exist.

The more Rowena thought about it, the angrier she became, until finally she exploded.

"Isadora! Have you forgotten everything I did for you back in college? And now, just because I had one little chat with Victor, you're going to treat me like this? You're heartless! You talk about being a friend, but the first sign of trouble and you throw me to the wolves. Some friend you are so damn fake!"

Isadora frowned, then actually let out a laugh. "I'm ungrateful? Really?"

"When things got tough at Seafarer Designs, I invested without a second thought. Every single project the company landed—I chased down myself. When Abbott tried blackmailing you with those photos, who went to get the evidence? Me. Honestly, you're like the snake that bit the farmer who tried to save it."

Rowena didn't want to hear it. All she could think about was the money she needed. "I'll ask you one last time-are you going to keep investing in Seafarer Designs, or not?"

Isadora's reply was cold and final. “Do I look crazy to you? I'm not going to keep throwing money away."

With that, Isadora turned and walked off, ignoring her completely.

Rowena's jaw clenched and her eyes burned with fury, anger radiating off her in

waves.

And then, as Isadora strode away, a stack of papers suddenly slipped from her bag and hit the ground.

Rowena hurried over, picked them up, and flipped them open. Ultrasound scans. Her eyes gleamed with sudden realization.

"Well, well, Isadora. Pregnant, are we? And no father listed... Guess that means the baby isn't Victor's. Looks like I've got something on you now."

Just then, Rowena's mother and father-Keeley Blaine-came walking over from the other end of the street.

Her mother frowned. "Wasn't that Isadora just now? What happened? Sounded like you two were arguing."noveldrama

"Isadora? Who's that?" Keeley asked.

"She's Rowena's good friend," her mother explained. "Remember, when you were sick and napping, she came by to visit? She used to come over from college for dinner too.

She's doing really well now, and

she's always been good to Rowena." Cóntent

Rowena bristled at the praise. "Oh, she's good to me? Give me a break."

Her mother looked puzzled.

"What's wrong? Didn't she invest in Seafarer Designs to help you? Why would you talk about her like that?"

"You think she really cared about investing? She just wanted to give me hope, then snatch it away. She's even worse than Abbott, that scumbag!"

Of course, Rowena left out the real reason Isadora withdrew her investment: she'd caught Rowena flirting with Victor behind her back.

Her mother's brows creased in concern. Is she really that bad? She seemed like such a sweet girl when she came to see your father-hard to believe she'd have such a vicious streak."

Rowena snorted. "Those types never show their true colors. She's always looked down on us. Now we're stuck renting, Dad's medical bills are piling up, we're in debt, and she knows how desperate I am-but she still won't help."

Rowena set her jaw. "Dad, we can't just sit here and do nothing. You used to know that private equity group, the Dunbar family. Can you try reaching out for me?"

Keeley hesitated. "I do know them, but Preston Dunbar... he's got a reputation. He's a womanizer. I really don't want you getting mixed up with someone like that."