“No!” Isabella screamed as Mateo began to cry.
Security rushed in at Richard’s summons. “She’s unstable,” Eleanor said calmly.
Daniel finally spoke, voice empty. “Just sign it, Isabella. Don’t make this harder.”
Something inside her broke.
She inhaled slowly. “You want my signature?” she said quietly. “Fine. But first—I need to make a call.”
She put her phone on speaker. “Marco,” she said, her voice shifting—controlled, authoritative. “Finalize the takeover of Richardson Holdings by Monday.”
A pause. “The three-hundred-million offer?” a man asked.
“No. Reduce it to fifty million. Twenty-four hours.”
Silence crushed the room.
Isabella met Richard’s stare. “Allow me to introduce myself. Isabella Moreno. Founder and CEO of NovaCore Technologies. Net worth: three point two billion.”
Faces drained white.
“Your company has two hundred million in debt,” she continued. “My firm was your only lifeline. You just offended your buyer.”
Vanessa’s smile vanished. Daniel’s mouth fell open.
“The apartment you mocked?” Isabella said evenly. “I own the building. The car you laughed at? One of nine. And that charity gala where I met Daniel? I was the anonymous donor. Not a waitress. A billionaire.”