Chapter 4

“The Wrights are really going the extra mile to prove just how ruthless they are in the business world,” I remarked, taking a slow sip of my drink.

“Sending the mighty Vice President Zachary Simon all the way to Lax City. Now, that’s quite a statement.”

After sharing a ride with him, I had somehow ended up in an exclusive bar, sitting across from the very man my family considered an enemy.

And now, we were sharing a drink as though we had been friends for years.

The absurdity of it almost made me laugh.

“Is K-Line Shipping really that valuable?” I asked when he offered no response. “Valuable enough for the Wright Group to go out of its way to snatch it from the Contis?”

Zachary casually lifted his glass and took a long drink before answering.

“As far as I know, the deal between K-Line and Conti Corporation hasn’t been finalized yet.”

He set his glass down, his expression unreadable.

“K-Line Shipping simply walked away from the negotiations the moment they saw an opportunity with the Wright Group. That’s not exactly unusual in business.”

He slowly swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his eyes following the movement as though the answer to my question were somehow floating at the bottom.

“Unless…” I narrowed my eyes to him.

His gaze lifted to mine.

“The Wright Group deliberately lowered its requirements just to secure K-Line.” I raised an eyebrow, challenging him to deny it.

Zachary merely took another sip.

“Conti Corporation was actually easier to negotiate with,” I said calmly. “Yet K-Line chose the Wright Group.” My voice remained casual.

“Which raises the question…” I leaned back slightly, my fingers idly tracing the rim of my glass.

“What makes K-Line Shipping so valuable to the Wrights?” I met his gaze.

“The true value of K-Line Shipping has yet to be determined.” He shrugged as though the matter hardly concerned him.

I studied him carefully.

“I still can’t believe K-Line Shipping is valuable enough to attract the Wright Group’s attention. Especially when Lax City is far outside your usual territory.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Why would the Wright Group bother coming all the way here for a small shipping company?”

Zachary simply shrugged and took another slow drink.

“Well…”

A faint, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“I have my reasons.”

His answer was far too casual. And somehow, that made me even more suspicious. Because if this were nothing more than an ordinary business acquisition, Zachary Simon would never have needed to come to Lax City himself.

A man of his position had people to handle matters like this. So why was he here?

“Reasons…” I scoffed, letting out a humorless chuckle. “Don’t tell me you’re simply pressing your luck to mess with the Contis. Is this another game of conquest for you, Zachary Simon?”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Or perhaps you’re just enjoying this. A perfect opportunity to laugh at my foolishness.”

“Well…” he drawled. He leaned back, a faint smirk playing across his lips.

“Seeing the precious Conti heiress make a fool of herself in the name of love was certainly a bonus.”

His gaze pierced through me, cold and unapologetically arrogant.

“It was utterly fascinating.”

For a long moment, I said nothing. What could I possibly say? He was right. I had been a fool.

I had actually believed that, perhaps for once in my life, I had found something real. Someone who loved Isabella Conti—not because of the wealth attached to my name, not because of the Conti family's influence, but simply because I was me.

I had believed in love. In the possibility of a happy ending. And look where that foolish belief had brought me.

My hands had grown rough from endless housework. My appearance was no longer the polished image of the Conti heiress. My pride had been trampled, my dignity stripped away, and my heart—Betrayed.

“Who would have believed the spoiled Conti heiress would spend two years cooking, washing dishes, cleaning the house, and doing laundry?” Zachary continued. His eyes swept over me.

“I doubt Alejandro Conti ever allowed you to lift so much as a plate in that grand mansion of yours.” His lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.

“Look at you now. Even your father and brothers might have trouble recognizing you.”

The words stung far more than I wanted to admit. I tightened my grip around my glass.

“Happy now?” I shot back bitterly. “You’ve witnessed just how miserable I am. At least you have something to brag about.”

“You really think I’m that petty, Isabella Conti?” He shook his head before taking another slow sip of his drink.

“I don’t celebrate someone’s downfall. That would be cowardly. And it certainly isn’t something a man should take pride in.” He lowered his glass.

“Our families may be rivals in business, but I don’t claim victory from a deceitful win.”

I looked at him. For the first time that evening, he turned fully toward me. His eyes met mine, unreadable and unnervingly calm.

A shiver ran down my spine. Zachary Wright Simon was a mystery I had never been able to solve, no matter how hard I tried.

“Lax City is a long way from Spears City,” he continued.

“This is foreign territory for the delicate Isabella Conti. You’re far from Conti influence. Here, you have no connections, no established allies, and no one who will automatically take your side when people decide to judge you unfairly.”

His gaze never left mine.

“No one knows that the pampered Conti heiress is here. Worse, no one knows she’s being mistreated.” His voice hardened slightly.

“CEO Vergara and his mistress won’t let you walk away quietly once you make your move against them.”

I studied him carefully.

“You seem remarkably well acquainted with my life, Zachary Simon.” I narrowed my eyes.

“You even sound certain about what I’m going to do next.”

A low chuckle escaped him.

“I’ve known Isabella Conti’s temperament long enough to understand how her mind works.” He lifted his glass toward me in an almost mocking toast.

“Your temper alone won’t allow CEO Vergara and his family to trample you into the ground and walk away unpunished.”

I stared at him. I tried to read his expression, but there was nothing there beyond that infuriatingly composed demeanor.

And yet, somehow, he was right. My mind was already racing with possibilities.

Ralph. His mistress. His arrogant relatives. Every single person who had watched me suffer and treated my humiliation as entertainment.

I had no intention of leaving Lax City empty-handed.

“But even if you have enough money to execute whatever plan you’re already plotting,” Zachary continued, “you have no connections here.”

He leaned back casually.

“In Lax City, Isabella Conti, you are powerless.”

I slowly raised an eyebrow.

“Who told you I’m powerless?” A smirk tugged at my lips.

“But not as powerful as the Wrights.” His tone remained maddeningly casual.

“Unless, of course, you tell your father and brothers what happened. If you do, this entire city could be turned upside down overnight.”

“This is my battle.” I answered without hesitation.

“I won’t involve them.”

“As expected.” He nodded thoughtfully.

“Isabella Conti strikes back, walks away with her head held high, and returns to Spears City as though she had simply spent two years enjoying a lavish vacation. Millions spent on clothes, parties, and every indulgence money can buy.” His eyes gleamed with amusement.

“Wouldn’t that be the perfect ending?”

“Isn’t it the right thing to do?” I smiled faintly.

“Before I return home, I have to take back everything I lent them.” My smile disappeared.

“That is the least I can do to appease my pride.” I lifted my glass and emptied it in one swallow.

“Besides, betrayal was never part of my plan.” My voice softened.

“I gave them everything.” I stared down at the empty glass in my hand.

“I gave them my time. My loyalty. My love.” A bitter laugh escaped me.

“I allowed them to trample over me. I practically handed them the weapon and taught them exactly where to strike.”

My chest tightened. The pain wasn't only for the marriage I had lost. It was for the two years I could never get back.

For the love I had wasted. For the woman I had allowed myself to become just to make someone else happy.

“I should have known better.” My fingers tightened around the glass.

“Isabella Conti couldn’t possibly have been deceived this easily.” The words came out as a whisper, laced with self-mockery.

“Then let me be your ally, Isabella Conti.”

I froze. For a moment, I wondered if the alcohol had finally gone to my head.

I slowly turned toward him.

Zachary was watching me calmly, as though he hadn't just said something completely outrageous.

“A Wright ally to a Conti?” I scoffed in disbelief.

“Are you joking, Zachary Simon?”

His expression didn't change.

“No.”

And somehow, that single word made the air between us feel heavier.

He leaned forward, resting his forearms against his knees.

“You want revenge.” His eyes locked onto mine.

“I can give you what you lack.”

My heart skipped.

“Connections.” His voice dropped.

“Influence.”

A pause.

“And an ally powerful enough to make sure no one in Lax City dares to stand in your way.”

I stared at him, unable to determine what game he was playing. Because there was one thing I knew about Zachary Simon.

A man like him never offered something without expecting something in return.

****tbc****