ssant barrage of business calls was unrelenting. Being at the top came with a curse, and she had long since learned to live with the chao

r stomach after he departed. "Everyone has a weakness," he said, his words resonating like a warning in the ba

Doubt had no place here. She had used only her intelligence and willpower to build her kingdom,

f her reverie by a gen

y raising her eyes fro

opened. Her expression seemed tense as if something sig

as she added, "Isabella, someone is

s she anticipated entering that room. Earlier that night, she had hoped t

a firm voice. She would play a

th a quiet intensity, and his suit fit him wonderfully. There was no doubting his beauty, but Isabella wasn't i

ut getting up from her desk. The power dynamic was eviden

had a calculating expression. With a silky voice, he said, "I thought I'd drop by to continue our conver

't know anything about me. My life's effort has

otionless, remaining visible but maintaining his distance

she quickly collected herself. She got up from the desk and cu

oses a threat, even if you choose to deny it. He is more than just an adversary in business. Is

certainty about whether she wanted

. What if I told you that I could assist you in avoiding Dominic? As someone wh

d her arms. "What makes

he is a footballer, he lacks intelligence. He uses his pride to ponder. He is unable to see the wider picture. He

assionately protective of her independence and had established her empire by herself, but this was no longer simply

eople easily." "And anyone who believes they can coerce me

. Isabella, that's your problem. You have no faith in anyone. Not even

him. "Lucas, don't try to read my

o aware of the stakes. You'll need more than just your intelligence and resolve to maintain your empire. Someone who c

hat she couldn't accomplish this on her own. If Dominic was going to be dishonest, then no. Further

think about it. But don't consider my openness to listening

iation and amusement. Isabella, I believe we

topped before he got to the d

, "I'm not here to save you. My goal is to assist you i

the game, or was this really an alliance she could trust? Her gut told her to break off contact with him and send