The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

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My mother's voice was calm but firm. "We'll be collaborating with Mr. Reed, and your father and I have decided to arrange a suitable marriage for you."

My face darkened. "But you know I'm in a relationship," I said, my tone sharp.

Her composure shattered like fine china. "Isabella, are you truly this blind? That man treats you like a doormat! If that actor were serious about you, wouldn't he have committed by now? He cheated on you with your co-actress, and yet you still crawled back to him? Are you out of your mind? Is this how your father and I raised you?"

My grip on my phone tightened as her words struck a nerve.

"Think about it, Isabella. If he truly loved you, wouldn't you be married by now? You're 25, and you're still clinging to this foolishness!"

I hated to admit it, but my mother was right. Everything she said about my relationship with Gabriel was painfully true.

"Be at the dinner tonight and fulfill your duty as our daughter!"

She hung up before I could respond, leaving me with only the hum of the air conditioning in the room.

Frustration bubbled up inside me. This-this right here—was precisely why I married Grayson. To escape my family's endless control!

I exhaled sharply, trying to steady myself as a string of notifications pulled my focus back to my phone. One message stood out from Eliot, Grayson's assistant:

'Ms. Isabella, I have bad news. Several staff members at SummitGlow have resigned, including the manager of PulseFive.'

I'd heard their manager was Mr. Brown's nephew. With the former general manager now in jail for embezzlement, it was no surprise his nephew might be tangled in the same mess as the boyband's manager.

He might be part of the crime, and to protect himself, leaving was necessary.

I quickly typed a reply. 'What does your boss suggest?'

Eliot responded immediately: 'People are coming to your office to fill the roles.'

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Typical Grayson-efficient and utterly unforgiving. He wouldn't bother offering second chances to the resigned staff. I just hoped he didn't think I was playing games in this agency.

I saw another notification from last night, this time from Sophia.

'Issa, guess what! You've been invited to the Obsidian Reel Awards and nominated for Supporting Actress! The ceremony is next week. Congratulations!'

For the first time that day, a flicker of genuine excitement sparked within me.

This is the first time I've been nominated as a supporting actress in two years. Even if I don't win, it's a massive achievementnoveldrama

for me.

Me: 'Wow! That's amazing, Sophia! By the way, how's everything at Golden Stage?'

Sophia: 'I've always believed you're a great actress. It's just that the office doesn't promote you the way they should. If they did, I'm sure you'd outshine Gabriel in landing major roles in movies or series.'

Her follow-up message arrived with perfect timing: 'I'm doing okay, but the talents they've given me are all spoiled nepo

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babies with no work ethic. They reject good opportunities because their parents promised them something 'better.' Most of them act like this industry is just an expensive hobby

I didn't immediately suggest Sophia leave Golden Stage. I hadn't yet studied SummitGlow's capacity to make that kind of offer, and I didn't want to recruit someone recklessly, I needed to prove myself to Grayson first.

Me: 'Have you considered other agencies? SummitGlow might be small now, but I have plans to change that. Big plans.'

I knew Sophia's capabilities well-she was brilliant at managing people. And Sophia could be the perfect fit for the role, with the boyband's manager recently departing.

Sophia: 'But I don't have any talents worth bringing over yet. I certainly can't bring along the hard-headed ones I'm stuck handling now!

A smile tugged at my lips as I typed my response:

'Have you heard of PulseFive? They're hungry for success and talented but

missing proper guidance. I think they're worth your time!

Minutes later, Sophia replied, telling me she would resign from Golden Stage.

***

That evening, I arrived at my parents' mansion, parking my black Porsche among the luxury cars in the circular driveway.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, Charlotte pounced, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Where did you get that car?" she demanded, unable to hide the bitterness in her voice despite trying to sound concerned.

"I don't think that's any of your concern," I said, letting my fingers glide over the car's shiny surface. The move was casual, almost affectionate-I knew it would annoy her even more.

"Oh, please. We all know you've got yourself a sugar daddy. Who else would pay millions for your termination fee or fund that Bloomify campaign? Come on, Isabella, spill it-who's the old millionaire funding your little escapades?"

My gaze fixed on her, maintaining my silence but allowing a small smile to play across my lips.

"Since you're so used to those old, grumpy sugar daddies, let me enlighten you. You've got visitors inside, and I was the one who told Uncle to go ahead and arrange your marriage to your 'potential husband," she added, a smug grin spreading across her face.

I widened my smile and lifted my hand in a cheerful wave. "Hi, Lucas!"

Charlotte's eyes shot wide open, and she spun around to face her boyfriend.

His expression was confused as he processed the scene before him. "Charlotte, why are you speaking to Isabella this way?"

Charlotte's face drained of color. Lucas had never seen this usual side of her-the sharp-tongued snake beneath the princess

mas'

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