Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
“I’m sorry.” Isabella glanced at the rib that had ended up on Andrew’s plate. Should she take that back?
Kristine jumped in, her tone sharp but controlled. “Isabella, Andrew is extremely particular about cleanliness. Please be mindful next time so we don’t have any more of these… mishaps.” She shot a glance at a nearby maid. “Get Andrew a fresh plate.”
Andrew’s voice cut through the dining room, smooth and commanding. “No need.” With deliberate calm, he placed the rib back onto Isabella’s plate, continuing his meal without missing a beat, his poised demeanor unshaken.
The room fell silent, everyone caught off guard by his reaction. This was nothing like his behavior toward Kristine before. Kristine’s face tightened, her eyes locked on Andrew in quiet disbelief.
Isabella, however, remained unfazed, more interested in savoring her rib than in the awkwardness around her. The latter part of the meal felt charged with tension.
When it was over, Waylon eagerly offered to give Andrew and Isabella a tour of the estate. Kristine insisted on tagging along.
The Patton family’s estate sprawled out like a vast paradise, with fountains and gardens brimming with exotic plants. The evening breeze added an air of tranquility, making it feel like a hidden sanctuary.
Halfway through their walk, Waylon’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. “It’s the director. You guys hold on a minute—it might be about the script.”
Kristine seized the moment, smiling brightly. “I’ll take Andrew and Isabella for a stroll, then.”
“Sure,” Waylon nodded, stepping aside to take the call.
Kristine led Andrew and Isabella down a winding stone path, her conversation flowing effortlessly. “So, Andrew, are you busy these days?”
“Not too busy,” he replied.
Kristine continued, her tone brimming with enthusiasm, “This here is our little stream. We’ve got fish in it. I love spending time in that pavilion—reading, fishing, just unwinding. You should definitely try it sometime, Andrew. It’s incredibly peaceful.”
Her eyes shone with admiration as she looked at Andrew, who, even under the dim night sky, exuded an enigmatic charm.
A gentle breeze stirred, and Andrew glanced down to see Isabella shiver slightly beside him. Without a word, he shrugged off his jacket.
Kristine’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Was Andrew really about to drape his jacket over her shoulders? After all these years, had she finally touched his heart?
Isabella was lost in the beauty of the estate when she suddenly felt a warmth settle over her. Glancing down, she saw a men’s suit jacket draped over her shoulders, carrying the faint scent of cologne. She had been feeling a bit chilly, so she accepted it without hesitation. “Thank you,” she murmured to Andrew.
“You’re welcome,” he replied in his usual calm, measured tone. Andrew was now in a finely tailored brown vest, exuding noble elegance, drawing Isabella’s gaze for a moment longer.
Kristine was utterly stunned. Andrew, who had always been so distant with women, had never done something like this before. She stared at Isabella, her expression shifting. This woman wasn’t as simple as she seemed. Isabella even had the audacity to play the delicate damsel in front of Andrew.
Kristine quickly regained her composure, a bright smile returning to her face. “Andrew, there’s a chess board set up in the pavilion just ahead. Care for a game?”
Andrew was well-versed in chess, having dominated many tournaments since his youth. Kristine had even learned chess for a while, just to impress him.
But instead of agreeing right away, Andrew turned to Isabella. “Do you know how to play chess?”
Isabella offered a vague smile. “A little.”
Kristine couldn’t help but feel amused. Isabella probably played the kind of chess you could pick up at a supermarket for a few bucks. “Oh, Isabella, you do? That’s fantastic! Let’s play, then. This particular set was auctioned by our dad—it’s worth millions.”
Isabella remained silent, her expression unreadable.
The three of them soon arrived at the pavilion, where Kristine effortlessly took a seat by the chess board, her eyes glimmering with anticipation and a touch of shyness. “Andrew, I’m not very skilled. Please be gentle with me.”
Andrew’s voice was cool, almost detached. “If your skills aren’t up to par, why don’t you start by playing against Isabella?”
Kristine’s smile faltered slightly. She had proposed this game to play with Andrew, not this country bumpkin. What was the point of this? She quickly regained her composure and turned to Isabella with a sweet but calculated smile. “Isabella, let’s play then. I’m not very good, so please don’t mind.”
But then a thought struck her—if she crushed Isabella in this game, it would boost her own image in Andrew’s eyes. Perhaps it would even make Andrew see Isabella for what kind of person she really was, and he’d regret ever showing her any attention.
“Alright then,” Isabella replied as she settled into a seat. The game began, and it wasn’t long before Kristine gained the upper hand. Just as she had predicted, Isabella was clearly out of her depth, and Kristine couldn’t suppress a chuckle each time Isabella made a move. This girl really was a country bumpkin, not good at anything. Kristine felt herself relax, confident she was about to utterly crush Isabella.
Andrew, who was sitting beside Isabella, watched her moves closely. His brows furrowed slightly, a hint of confusion crossing his face before his expression smoothed out. This young lady wasn’t as simple as she seemed.
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Just as Kristine was about to make her next move, a cold sweat broke out on her forehead as she scanned the board. Somehow, without realizing it, she had walked straight into Isabella’s trap. No matter how she played it, she was doomed to lose. Refusing to accept defeat, she made a move anyway, hoping Isabella wouldn’t notice.
“You’ve lost,” Isabella stated calmly, capturing one of Kristine’s pieces with a casual flick of her hand.
Kristine’s face drained of color. How could this be happening?
“Let’s go another round!” Kristine demanded, convinced that the last game had to be a fluke.
Isabella didn’t object.
Kristine steeled herself, determined not to make the same mistake twice. She played with meticulous care, every move calculated. As victory seemed to edge closer, she allowed herself a small smile. But then Isabella made her next move, and Kristine froze in disbelief. Isabella had been lying in wait the entire time, like a predator ready to pounce.
A shiver ran down Kristine’s spine.
“Do you want to play?” Isabella asked Andrew, sounding almost bored.
Kristine felt a flush of embarrassment. Was Isabella looking down on her for being so outclassed?
“Isabella, Andrew is very skilled in this. You might have nothing else to do at home and play chess to pass the time, but Andrew is a professional.” Kristine implied that Isabella wasn’t qualified to challenge Andrew.
Isabella found Kristine quite annoying, but before she could respond, Andrew’s deep voice rang out. “Sure.”
Kristine’s lips tightened, and she had no choice but to step aside, though she hovered nearby, eager to witness Isabella’s inevitable humiliation. How could someone like Isabella even think she was qualified to challenge Andrew?
Yet as the game unfolded, Kristine’s anticipation turned to frustration. Time passed, and Isabella and Andrew continued playing without a clear winner. Isabella’s expression grew more serious, her focus sharpening with each move.
Finally, the ringing of her phone broke her concentration. Waylon’s voice came through the line. “Isabella, something’s come up with the film crew. I have to head back now. Call me if you need anything, okay?”
Waylon had managed to sneak away from the set to see her, but duty called him back.
“Alright, Waylon. Go back to your work; don’t worry about me,” Isabella replied, her tone reassuring.
As soon as the call ended, Kristine seized the opportunity. “Andrew, it’s getting late. Why don’t you two continue tomorrow? Isabella’s had a long day—she should rest.”
Kristine thought she was supposed to be the one playing with Andrew, not Isabella. How had it come to this?
Andrew turned to Isabella, his gaze steady. “Are you tired?”
“Not at all,” Isabella responded, shaking her head. For the first time, she had found a truly challenging opponent, and it had sparked her competitive spirit. Without further delay, they resumed their game.
Kristine sat nearby, her expression shifting as she watched the game unfold. Each glance exchanged between Isabella and Andrew only deepened the gnawing sense of panic within her. Andrew had always been distant, almost indifferent toward others, especially women. But now, his demeanor toward Isabella was unmistakably different.
Half an hour later, Isabella made her final move and won. Andrew’s eyes lingered on her, and for once, his icy exterior seemed to thaw a bit. “You impressed me,” he remarked, the words almost carrying a hint of warmth.
Isabella responded with a modest smile. “Thanks, but I’m sure you held back. Let’s have a rematch some other time.”
Before the moment could settle, Kristine swiftly interrupted, her tone sharp enough to slice through the budding connection between Andrew and Isabella. “Isabella, I’ll walk Andrew out. You should call it a night.”
Isabella simply nodded, slipping away without another word.
Andrew headed toward the parking lot, with Kristine trailing behind. “Andrew, wait,” she called out, her voice edged with a sense of urgency.
Andrew halted, turning to face her, his expression as unreadable as ever. Under the night sky, his tall figure loomed, emanating an almost chilling aura.
“Kristine, I thought I made myself clear,” Andrew’s voice was detached, stripped of any warmth.
Tears welled up in Kristine’s eyes instantly. She knew exactly what he was referring to—their so-called engagement that, in truth, never existed.
But Kristine’s resolve was unshaken. “Andrew, I’ve loved you for so many years, and I’ve done everything to be with you. I’m about to compete in an international dance competition to become a master. I’m working hard to be worthy of you!”
Andrew’s response was as cold as ice. “I will never love you.”
The words hit Kristine like a slap, freezing her expression.
“Why?” she demanded, her gaze burning into him. “Andrew, no one is more suited for you than I am. Do you intend to stay single forever?”
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