Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
Susan shook her head with a knowing smile. “We’ll see. You’re just not ready to admit it yet.”
Their conversation drifted on until the pull of sleep overtook them, their laughter fading into quiet.
Meanwhile, the soft glow of a desk lamp illuminated Dane’s study. He was still deep in his work, his sharp gaze focused on documents, exuding an aura of power and control.
Josie, hovering in the doorway, watched him with admiration. He’s so handsome, she thought, her heart fluttering. She had admired him since their youth and longed for his attention.
“Dane, you’re still working this late? I brought you some milk,” Josie offered, her voice sweet as she extended a glass toward him.
Dane didn’t look up. “Thanks, but I don’t drink milk,” he replied, his tone distant.
“Milk is good for you. I can make coffee instead if you’d like,” Josie persisted, trying to find a reason to stay.
“That’s not necessary. You’re Kristine’s friend; you don’t need to bother with these things. Go and rest,” Dane responded, polite but firm.
Josie’s heart sank. Despite her best efforts, Dane’s interest seemed far from within her reach.
Undeterred, she forced a smile. “I’ll make the coffee anyway.” She turned and left the room, hiding her frustration.
Dane sighed softly. He wasn’t interested in Josie’s advances, but since she was Kristine’s friend, he had to be careful not to be too harsh.
A sudden commotion at the door interrupted his thoughts.
Dane stepped out to see Susan and Josie had collided in the hallway. Coffee splattered across Susan’s arm, making her wince in pain.
“Sorry, I’m really sorry!” Susan apologized, despite being the one scalded.
Josie, already irritated from earlier, snapped, “Can’t you watch where you’re going?”
Susan, caught off-guard by the harsh words, kept her cool. “I didn’t see you…”
But before she could finish, Dane appeared beside her, his hand gently taking hers as he inspected the burn. His cold gaze settled on Josie, making her flinch.
Josie’s heart raced. When had Dane come out of the study?
“She’s hurt,” Dane said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“Dane, I…” Josie began, but her words trailed off as Dane ignored her completely, focusing instead on leading Susan into the kitchen to cool her arm under cold water. The sting of being overlooked by Dane once again made Josie clench her teeth, her eyes brimming with bitterness.
As the cold water flowed over her arm, Susan finally gathered her thoughts. “I can handle this myself,” she said softly, feeling a little overwhelmed by Dane’s unexpected attentiveness. “Thanks.”
Dane let go of her arm but kept his gaze steady. “Don’t let her treat you like that again.”
Susan, taken aback by his protectiveness, managed a faint smile. “I didn’t want to cause any trouble.”
“You’re a friend of Isabella’s. You’ll never be trouble here,” Dane reassured her, his tone carrying a touch of warmth.
For a moment, Susan found herself lost in his sincere gaze. It was rare for someone to treat her with such care, especially because of her connection to Isabella.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Dane gave her a brief nod, though there was a hint of helplessness in his expression. Susan seemed far too gentle, too willing to overlook others’ behavior.
Their conversation was interrupted by Josie, who approached with teary eyes and a carefully crafted apology. “Susan, I’m really sorry,” she said, her tone dripping with insincerity. “I was frustrated, and I took it out on you. Are you okay?”
Susan, sensing the lack of genuine remorse, responded coolly, “I’m fine.”
“I really am sorry,” Josie repeated, turning her gaze toward Dane, hoping for his sympathy. “I just lost control for a moment.”
“You don’t need to explain it to me,” Dane said flatly, his expression unchanging.
Josie bit her lip, feeling the sting of his indifference. Why was Dane being so cold? She had never seen him this distant before, and it left her reeling with frustration.
As the discomfort between them grew, Susan, not wanting to stay involved in their dispute, began to walk away. But Dane stopped her. “You need to apply ointment for that burn.”
Before Susan could refuse, Dane had already guided her to the living room, where he fetched a first aid kit. His movements were calm and deliberate as he treated her burn, applying ointment with care.
Susan sat in silence, watching Dane work. It felt surreal to be receiving such treatment from him. Was this only because of her friendship with Isabella?
She tried to ignore Josie’s piercing gaze of envy as Dane finished wrapping her arm.
Once the bandage was secure, Susan quickly stood up, feeling the need to escape the awkward situation. She hurried upstairs, leaving Dane to watch her retreating figure, slightly puzzled. Had he made her uncomfortable?
“Dane, let me make you some more coffee,” Josie offered, her voice filled with false sweetness.
Dane’s cold eyes flickered toward her. “No, thank you. I won’t drink your coffee, and I don’t appreciate your company. You should understand your place.”
Josie’s face paled. “Dane…”
“Don’t cling to me,” he said sharply. “It gives people the wrong idea.”
Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away, leaving Josie standing there, shivering from more than just the coldness of his words. He had never spoken to her so harshly before. Was this because of Isabella’s return?
Feeling dejected, Josie made her way back to Kristine’s room, her mood dark. As soon as she entered, Kristine looked up, noticing her friend’s distress.
“What happened?” Kristine asked, her brows furrowed in concern.
“Dane was so cold to me just now,” Josie lamented, her voice trembling with frustration. “He used to ignore me, but today, he was outright rude. And he was so nice to that plain friend of your sister! Do you think it’s because Isabella is here now? Has Dane stopped caring about you?”
Kristine’s expression shifted, her thoughts swirling. Josie’s words struck a chord, but she quickly masked her true feelings with a weak smile. “No, it’s nothing like that. Dane must just pity them.”
Even as she said it, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Isabella had only just arrived, and yet she seemed to be charming everyone around her. A girl like that could easily disrupt the harmony of the Patton family.
“I’ll get along with her, but she’s already turning heads,” Kristine thought bitterly. “If she continues like this, she could end up causing more trouble than we realize.”
Josie, seeing the uncertainty in Kristine’s eyes, spoke reassuringly. “Remember, she can’t compete with you. You’re a renowned dancer, the vice president of the Patton Group. You have real talent and connections. Even if Isabella wins over your parents, she’ll never make a mark in the business world. You and Dane are the ones who truly matter in the family.”
Kristine felt comforted by Josie’s words. She was right. Isabella might be winning affection at home, but she had no foothold in the family business. Without that, Isabella would always be behind her.
Feeling reassured, Kristine lay down to rest, her confidence restored.
But early the next morning, as she walked past her parents’ room, she overheard something that made her heart stop.
“When Isabella wakes up, let her choose which company she’d like to take over.”
Kristine froze in her tracks, overhearing her parents’ decision to offer Isabella a company. They’re giving her a company just like that?
A mix of frustration and anxiety bubbled inside her. She had poured years of effort into the family business, climbing her way up. And now, with Isabella’s return, their parents were suddenly ready to hand her a company? Was it because Isabella was their biological daughter while she wasn’t?
Hadn’t they promised to treat me as their own daughter?
Determined not to be outdone, Kristine steeled herself. She would prove that Isabella, despite being their blood, couldn’t match her skills and dedication.
Meanwhile, Isabella and Susan were strolling through the estate gardens, enjoying the early morning air. Susan marveled at the sprawling grounds, realizing just how wealthy the Patton family truly was. Owning such vast property in Gemond, where space was a luxury, was a clear sign of incredible wealth.
As they walked, Isabella absentmindedly fiddled with the car key Andrew had gifted her. “A car as a gift… that’s a bit much,” she muttered.
Susan raised her brows. “A bit much? That’s a whole new level of generosity! I told you, Andrew definitely has feelings for you. Who else gives away cars so casually?”
“Maybe he’s just overly generous because he’s wealthy.”
Susan shook her head, adamant. “Trust me, wealthy people are usually stingy when it comes to gifts like that. This means something.”
Before Isabella could respond, Kristine approached them with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Isabella,” she called out sweetly.
“Yes?” Isabella asked, her tone calm and neutral.
Kristine’s smile widened. “Congratulations. I heard that our parents are planning to give you one of the companies. Have you thought about which one you might want to manage?”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.