Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Victor instructed his assistant to make sure Director Lawson and Mr. Wang got home safely.

As he turned back, he caught sight of Magnus striding toward him.

Victor lifted his heavy-lidded eyes with lazy indifference, glancing past Magnus in search of someone. The woman he was hoping for wasn't there.

Sammy trailed after Magnus, looking a little awkward. He cleared his throat and tried to smooth things over.

"Long time no see, Victor."

At the sound of Sammy's voice, Victor shifted his gaze back, unhurried and nonchalant. He replied with a casual, "Yeah."

Magnus met Victor's eyes with an icy stare.

Victor looked back, his dark eyes utterly unreadable.

The two men stood face to face in the bar, both strikingly handsome and exuding an air of power. Their presence turned heads, and several women glanced over, unable to look away. Yet it was clear to everyone that a storm was brewing between them.

Magnus' eyes were like frost, his tone chilling. "Victor."

"I suppose I should thank you for all the 'care' you've shown the Wainwright family lately."

"Or maybe I should be grateful for that little eight-billion-dollar 'gift' you gave my fiancée, Isadora?"

He put extra emphasis on the word "fiancée," making sure Victor didn't miss it.noveldrama

Victor let out a low, derisive laugh, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. "The eight billion The Fitzgerald Group invested in Isadora's project-should you, as her ex, really be thanking me for that?"

The word "ex" landed like a punch.

A flicker of pain cracked Magnus' cold composure.

Rumors of his and Isadora's breakup had been the hottest topic among the city's elite lately. Isadora had never been so headstrong and furious before, but Magnus was certain of one thing: if he humbled himself just a little, if he took the first step to win her back, there was no way Isadora would simply walk away from five years of love.

"She's coming back," he told himself. "She has to."

Magnus straightened, his voice steady. "Victor, maybe you haven't heard- Isadora and I are getting married. As her future husband, I have every right to speak for her."

Victor's brows knit together, ready to argue.

But then he remembered the sight of Isadora in that wedding dress.

In that moment, he realized he had no ground to stand on.

His grip tightened around his phone, knuckles white, anger darkening his features.

The air in the hallway grew thick with tension, the atmosphere nearly suffocating. Even Sammy, standing off to the side, felt a chill creep up his spine.

He hurried forward, trying to defuse the situation. "Sorry, Victor, Magnus has had a little too much to drink tonight."

Everyone knew Isadora had broken things off, made it final. Magnus, for whatever reason, was suddenly talking about getting married.

Magnus brushed Sammy off, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "Don't worry, Victor, you'll get an invitation from the Wainwright family soon enough. Hope you'll come by and celebrate with us."

Victor felt rage boiling in his chest, his voice coming out rough and low.

"Magnus, while you're busy planning a wedding, the Eastside Airport project is slipping through your fingers. Does Wainwright Holdings really have the luxury of letting you chase after this marriage? Or are you just chasing fairy tales now?" The words hit Magnus right where it hurt.

After a string of lost projects, the Wainwright Holdings board was growing restless. Even his father, Easton, had pressed him for answers more than once. The Eastside project alone was worth hundreds of millions-if Victor snatched it away, Magnus' position as CEO would be under siege from every angle.

Magnus' expression darkened; a vein pulsed at his temple, making him look every bit the furious lion.

"Victor! The Fitzgerald Group never used to touch infrastructure deals. Lately you've gone out of your way to block the Wainwrights at every turn, stealing projects what the hell are you after?"

Victor's eyes turned glacial. His patience was wearing thin.

He tugged at his tie and let out a cold chuckle. "Why? Maybe I just don't like seeing you happy."

Magnus' temper snapped. The alcohol finally hit him hard. He clenched his fists and charged forward, ready to throw a punch.

Sammy reacted instantly, grabbing Magnus from behind before he could do anything he'd regret.

If Magnus landed that punch, tomorrow's headlines would be all about how he couldn't take losing and decided to pick a fight with Victor Fitzgerald instead.