Chapter 273

Ryan Paisley had just stepped into the underground parking lot when he spotted Isabella Jackson leaning against his black Maybach. Her beige trench coat stood out starkly under the dim lighting.

"Mr. Paisley, there are a few clauses in the Brocade contract I don't quite understand." Isabella tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, offering a perfectly calculated smile.

Ryan expressionlessly pulled out his car keys. "Take it to Legal."

She suddenly stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply against the concrete. "Or we could talk about my sister. I heard you—"

"Enough!" Ryan whirled around, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Don't mention her in front of me."

The next morning, Sophia Reynolds burst into Evelyn Sullivan's office, waving a document.

"Paisley Group offered us a partnership! They're giving us their prime retail space!"

Evelyn's pen froze mid-signature, leaving a small blue ink blot on the paper. "Decline it."

"Are you insane? That's prime real estate!" Sophia slammed the file onto the desk. "It could boost our sales by 80%!"

Evelyn looked up, sunlight filtering through the blinds to cast fragmented shadows across her face. "Ryan Paisley and Ethan Sullivan grew up together."

"So what?" Sophia braced her hands on the desk. "Business is war. Why turn down free profit?"

Evelyn eventually relented but insisted on personally inviting Ryan to dinner as thanks.

When the call connected, Ryan was reviewing documents. At the sound of Evelyn's voice, his pen dragged a long line across the page.

"Seven tonight, Royal View Steakhouse." Her voice carried through the receiver. "Are you available, Mr. Paisley?"

His Adam's apple bobbed. "I am."

After hanging up, he rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Sunlight caught the faint upward curve of his lips.

The moment of quiet was shattered by Ethan's call.

"What's this about Brocade's storefront?" Ethan's voice was glacial.

Ryan watched the steady stream of traffic below. "It better suits MY's needs."

The sound of crumpling paper came through the line. "Stay away from her." Each word was enunciated with lethal precision before the call abruptly ended.

Ryan tossed his phone onto the sofa. His tie suddenly felt suffocating. He loosened the knot, his eyes dark with unreadable emotion.