NovelEnglishChapter 23 The calm surface of the pool shattered once again.
Before Isadora could react, Magnus had already leapt in after her with swift, decisive movements.
In the water, Magnus's powerful strokes carried him quickly to Elise's side. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her toward the edge of the pool.
Elise, once rescued, lay gasping on the ground, coughing up water that had flooded her lungs. Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw Magnus, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Magnus, I-I thought I'd never see you again," she choked out between sobs.
Ignoring the fact that he was drenched, Magnus draped a towel over Elise's trembling shoulders, then scooped her up in his arms.
As he passed Isadora, his voice was icy and sharp. "Isadora, I never thought you could be so cruel. If you want to play games, there has to be a limit. Elise isn't well this could have killed her." Without waiting for a reply, Magnus carried Elise straight toward the front door, not sparing Isadora a single glance.
Isadora's face was unreadable, her tone flat as she called after him. "Magnus, don't say I never gave you a final chance. After tonight, we're done." Magnus paused, her words striking something deep within him—a faint, stabbing ache.
Elise, sensing the sudden tension in his body, looked up at him with anxiety. "Magnus, my chest hurts-really hurts. I can barely breathe." He glanced down at her pained expression, hesitated for a moment, then pressed forward, carrying her out as the onlookers whispered among themselves.
The Vaughan family's thirtieth anniversary celebration had turned into quite the spectacle tonight.
"Looks like Elise's victory, once again," someone muttered. "Isadora should've known she couldn't win. If she keeps this up, Magnus will never want her." "Do you really think Isadora will let go? She's been obsessed with Magnus for five years. She'll never give him up, no matter what." "Yeah, she's loved him for so long. Even if the world tells her to let go, she won't." As the commotion died down, the Vaughan family barely had the energy to see their guests off. The rest of the evening wrapped up in a hurry.
After the party, in the Vaughan family's living room, tension hung heavy in the air.
Richard paced back and forth, hands clasped behind his back, face tight with worry. Eleanor sat nearby, gulping down iced tea in a futile attempt to cool her anger. Tonight's humiliation had surpassed anything she'd experienced in her life. Slamming her glass down, Eleanor turned on her daughter. "Isadora, what were you thinking? I wanted to talk about setting a wedding date, and you dragged Magnus away. Then, when I tried to get Elise to leave, you made her jump into the pool! Even a child wouldn't pull such a ridiculous stunt. Why not just send her to the moon? At this rate, you're not getting rid of Elise-you're just pushing Magnus away." Richard jabbed a finger at Isadora, his tone harsh. "Tomorrow, you're going to apologize to Magnus. That's final!" Isadora picked up a glass of whiskey, swirling it thoughtfully before downing it in one. Her words were crisp and measured: "I'm not apologizing." Magnus would always rescue Elise-just as he had before, just as he always would. And in that moment, Isadora felt utterly exhausted.
Isadora, are you truly this foolish? Why keep playing along with those two? Did you really think Magnus helping you tonight meant anything would change? Even if you tried a hundred times, it would always end the same.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmFace it-Magnus doesn't love you.
Yes, Isadora had told Elise to jump into the pool. Partly out of spite, and partly because that stubborn, wounded love still clung to her after five long years.
But she'd lost the bet again. No matter. She wouldn't be so foolish next time.
Setting her empty glass on the counter, Isadora's voice was steady, as if sealing a final decision. She sealing a final pulled out her phone, typed a message-"It's over. The wedding's off."-and blocked Magnus's number.
Her tone calm, she announced, "Dad, Mom, Magnus and I are finished. I'm not marrying him."
Richard stared at her in disbelief, fury building. "You and Magnus are m engaged! The wedding's practically set, and now you want to call it off? What about the Vaughan family's reputation?" Isadora stood her ground. "This is my life. It's my decision."
Richard's expression darkened, but his words were sharp and resolute. "You listen to me, Isadora. You're a Vaughan, and your marriage isn't just about you. It's about the future of The Vaughan Group!"
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