CHAPTER 9

Chapter 9

The pink dress Wonne wore that hugged her curves and highlighted her complexion was from Burberry’s new summer collection. She paired it with a pair of four–inch, custom–made silver heels, while her necklace and bracelet were treasured jewelry left behind by Isabella’s mother. Every detail of her outfit was impeccable.

She looked affectionately at Clayton, her voice gentle and melodious. “Since Isabella could win him over with these words, I’m sure I can too. He must like such bold ways of proposal, she mused.

Though Yvonne had no inheritance, she had a doting father, Nathan. “Outsiders are oblivious to the family politics within Sorenson Multimedia, No matter how arrogant Isabella is, she remains powerless. The future of Sorenson Multimedia will eventually fall into my hands,

hers!” she ruminated. In addition, she figured her looks were just as immaculate as Isabella’s when she was all dolled up.

not

Johnny reflexively rubbed his arm to ease the goosebumps that prickled his skin, thinking, ‘Is this woman deranged? Either that, or she’s got balls of steel!”

As the fountain pen in his hand snapped into halves, Clayton growled with cold eyes, “Weston!” Johnny winced, knowing it was a limited- edition Parker pen.

Clayton’s abrupt outburst startled the trio.

Weston, who was standing guard outside, burst through the door. “Yes, Mr. Murray!”

“Get them out of here! Verify visitors before bringing them up next time. No one is allowed to use Isabella’s name to see me except herself!” Clayton thundered, his aura turning frigid.

Before Weston could react, Johnny turned sharply to Nathan and Yvonne. “Please leave!”

Nathan was inwardly taken aback, realizing Clayton was indeed as terrifying as rumored.

Yvonne, on the other hand, was bewildered, caught off guard by Clayton’s unexpected anger. It gave her a shock, but she also wondered what went wrong. “That was clearly what Isabella said that day, no? I merely tweaked it a little to introduce myself. There was not a single lie, she reflected.

Flustered, she tried explaining, “Wait, Mr. Murray, hear me out! I’m genuinely Sorenson Multimedia’s heiress. I-”

Sadly, Johnny and Weston wouldn’t let her finish and hustled her and her father none too gently out the door.

As the door slammed shut, Clayton’s icy voice reverberated. “Nothing but a try–hard copycat!”

Nathan and Yvonne e were mortified.

Yvonne felt baffled and indignant, unable to fathom why Clayton accepted Isabella’s proposal without hesitation yet ridiculed and even kicked her out when she spoke the same words. “How can this be? It must be Isabella’s fault! Or else, why would he call me a try–hard copycat?‘ she fumed inwardly. Her face drained of color as she seethed with anger.

Weston shoved the father–daughter duo into the elevator, jabbing a button to summon the security guards to have them escorted out of the building.

Though perplexed, Clayton’s assistants stood ramrod straight in the office in silence, not daring to question their boss‘ orders or move a muscle.

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Chapter 9

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Ever dutiful, Johnny reminded the furious Clayton about the shareholders‘ meeting scheduled for today. “Mr. Murray, your grandpa is already on his way here. Shall I arrange for you to have lunch with him at The Loft Restaurant?”

Clayton’s expression eased a little. “Kayson, go get what I asked you to do done right away. You have one day.”

He then scribbled Nathan and Isabella’s names on a piece of paper. “Hendrix, look into these two people.”

“Weston, you’ll stay here, and Johnny, join me at the meeting.” he continued, giving out orders.

The assistants mutely accepted their tasks; even the usually cheeky Kayson was subdued,

Despite his boldness, Weston dared not ask Clayton who Isabella was but secretly decided to help Hendrix investigate that two people.

Clayton had always looked cold, never furious. It had been years since he lost his cool like that. His assistants couldn’t even remember the last time he was this riled up.

Clayton leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowing in deep contemplation. Yesterday, Isabella clearly said she’d give him three days to mull over her proposal. With the shareholders‘ meeting taking place today, he had intended to wait until tomorrow to give her his answer. As such, it confused him as to what Nathan and Yvonne were playing at. “Who does that deranged woman even think she is?” he pondered.

He reached for his phone to dial a number, but no one answered the call.

“Mr. Murray,” Johnny called out, knocking on the door, “your grandpa’s in the conference room now. He’s asking for you.”

“Clayton got up, thinking, “Wait for me, little girl. You’re the eldest daughter of the Sorenson family, the princess I had to look up to, and the motivation behind my years of hard work. Just when I can finally provide for you, fate brought us together in such a strange way. This time, I won’t lose your again.”

Meanwhile, Terence and Lorelai arrived at the Ingram residence early in the morning with Zachary and Megan in tow.

Winona had the maid bring out coffee, fruit, and pastries for the guests.

“Nate and Yvonne aren’t home yet, still running errands. Here, help yourselves to some refreshments while you wait.” She welcomed them the way she usually did.

Terence and Lorelai relaxed a little. They had been worried that Nathan and Winona would give them a hard time today.

“Don’t trouble yourself, Winona,” Lorelai said politely. “Sit and chat with us.”

Winona smiled, “Why are you being so polite? It’s not like we’re strangers.”

Feeling a little awkward, Lorelai said, “We brought Zachary here to apologize to Isabella. He was in the wrong yesterday.”

Megan’s face turned cold. “Mom, why are you always like that? What did Zach even do to Isabella?”

“Hush, you!” Terence scolded his daughter, his gaze stern. “Isabella is your sister–in–law. Show her some respect! You can’t just say whatever pops into your head.”

Under her father’s harsh gaze, Megan puffed her cheeks angrily but did not dare say more.

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Chapter 9

“Terence, don’t be so hard on her. You’ll scare her this way,” Winona advised gently. “Megan’s candidness is part of her charm. In fact, I’d say it’s one of her better qualities. She’s much stronger than Yvonne. I quite like her honesty.” When it came to the art of placating, no one could rival Winona and Wonne.

Pleased by Winona’s remark, Lorelai scanned the room and asked, “Where’s Isabella? Do invite her down to talk to us. Once Zachary apologizes to her, we can all move on from this.”

Helplessness crossed Winona’s face. “You guys should know I can never call the shots regarding her. Her father might have a way with her, but without him around, she’ll never listen to me.”

As always, she presented herself as a disrespected stepmother before others.

Terence was actually relieved that Nathan was out. Otherwise, the Winslow family would surely have hell to pay for this matter.

He reckoned since Nathan wasn’t home and Isabella had always been affable, a simple apology from Zachary would suffice to smooth things