Chapter 274

"Understood."

Ethan Sullivan set down his phone, his long fingers tapping twice on the desk. He lifted his gaze to Colin Keller standing nearby, his voice low. "Inform Isabella that the Paisley Group has chosen another partner."

Colin nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

Isabella Jackson was reviewing documents in her office when the news reached her. Her fountain pen jerked to a halt, ink bleeding across the paper. She slowly raised her head, her eyes dark and venomous as she stared at her secretary. "Find out. Who did the Paisleys choose?"

Thirty minutes later, the secretary nervously handed her the investigative report.

"MY?" Isabella let out a cold laugh, her nails digging deep into her palms. She snatched her phone and dialed Ryan Paisley's number, her voice sickly sweet. "Mr. Paisley, is this your way of taunting me?"

A derisive snort came through the line.

"You overestimate your importance, Ms. Jackson," Ryan's voice was icy. "Business is business. It's all about capability."

Isabella narrowed her eyes, her red lips parting. "Aren't you afraid I'll expose your feelings for Evelyn—"

"Isabella." Ryan cut her off sharply, his tone dangerous. "If you dare breathe a word, I'll make sure you never set foot in Rongcheng again."

The call ended abruptly.

Crack! Her brand-new phone shattered against the wall. Isabella's chest heaved violently, her eyes burning with hatred.

She would make Evelyn pay.

At six in the evening, Evelyn pushed open the glass door of the restaurant. Ryan was already seated by the window and stood immediately when he saw her.

"Sorry, rush hour traffic was terrible."

Ryan smiled warmly. "I was just early."

The candlelit dinner was pleasant. Ryan was witty, drawing soft laughter from Evelyn behind her hand. Neither noticed the camera lens trained on them from a corner table.

"Let me drive you home," Ryan offered as they settled the bill.

They had just stepped outside when a black Maybach screeched to a halt at the curb. The window rolled down, revealing Ethan's sharp profile.

"Get in."

Evelyn froze. "How did you—"

"Sophia told me," Ethan said flatly.

Evelyn frowned skeptically. Sophia, with her fiery temper, would voluntarily contact Ethan?

"That's not necessary. I can—"

"It's about the divorce," Ethan interrupted, his voice low.

Evelyn pressed her lips together, then turned to Ryan with an apologetic smile. "Thank you for dinner."

Before Ryan could respond, Ethan stepped between them. The two men locked eyes, tension crackling in the air.

"Ryan," Ethan's voice was glacial. "Stay away from her."

Ryan remained unruffled. "You're crossing a line, Ethan."

The car door slammed shut. The Maybach roared away, leaving Ryan standing in its wake, his expression darkening as he watched the taillights disappear.