Chapter 5: WHEN BUSINESS TURNS PERSONAL

VICTOR’S POV

When Isla accepted my invitation to dinner, I felt a wave of happiness wash over me, though I did my best to hide it. It wouldn’t do to let my feelings show too soon. Over the meal, I opened up about something that had been bothering her—why I tolerated Emma’s attitude so much.

“Her father was my father’s driver,” I explained, my voice calm and steady. “They both died in the same car accident.” Isla’s face softened, her expression tinged with understanding. “Emma does have talent, but her temper has always been a problem. I try to overlook it as long as she doesn’t go too far.”

I noticed Isla’s demeanor shift. She seemed to regret judging Emma so harshly before hearing the whole story. In that moment, something between us changed. She no longer seemed as guarded, and I felt a small victory in earning her trust.

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Later that evening, after returning home, my phone buzzed. It was Daniel, his tone serious as he shared an update on the investigation. “Victor, we’ve hit a snag. We need more information. You might need to get closer to Isla—she could have answers we’re looking for.”

The conflict in my heart grew stronger. On one hand, I genuinely liked Isla. There was something about her that pulled me in, and I wanted to bring us closer. But on the other hand, my grandfather’s reputation—and freedom—depended on this investigation. My family came first.

After a long moment of reflection, I made my decision. I needed to test Isla.

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To put my plan into motion, I arranged a business trip for just the two of us. It was the perfect opportunity to spend time with her and ask subtle questions about her past. Isla took charge of booking the flights and accommodations.

When she informed me of the arrangements, she hesitated. “There was only one room left at the hotel you requested,” she said. “So I reserved a room at a nearby hotel for myself.”

I felt a pang of disappointment, though I quickly brushed it off. Why did it bother me so much? I had to remind myself that this trip wasn’t about romance—it was about uncovering the truth.

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The business trip went smoothly, and we managed to secure the contract we came for. To celebrate, I suggested we go shopping, using the excuse, “You’re the lucky charm for this deal.”

She looked at me suspiciously but eventually agreed. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure how to treat a woman properly. Growing up wealthy, I had always relied on gestures of affluence to impress others. It was all I knew.

Later that evening, I decided to show her a more personal side of me. I took her to my favorite local bar—a place I rarely shared with others. As we sat with drinks in hand, I carefully steered the conversation toward her family.

Her cheerful demeanor faded the moment she mentioned her father. Her voice grew quiet, and I could see the pain in her eyes. I felt a pang of guilt for pressing her, but I needed answers.

Hoping to coax more from her, I tried a subtle trick, pretending to share my own struggles to encourage her to open up. But instead of talking, she drank. One drink after another until she was visibly drunk.

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When it became clear she’d had too much, I decided to take her back to my room at the hotel. Carrying her felt surprisingly intimate, though I tried to push the thought aside. This was about looking after her—not anything else.

After settling her on the bed, I sat in the armchair across the room, watching her for a moment. Alcohol had brought a flush to her cheeks, and her soft breathing made her look so vulnerable.

I’d never thought I’d meet someone like her—someone who stirred feelings I’d long buried. There was something so genuine about her, something that made me want to protect her.

The thought of leaning closer crossed my mind, but I stopped myself. No, I wasn’t that kind of man. She deserved respect, not to be taken advantage of. With that resolve, I covered her with a blanket and retreated to the couch to spend the night.

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The next morning, Isla woke with a start. Her eyes darted around the room before landing on me. Confusion turned to alarm, and she sat up quickly.

“What happened?” she asked, her voice shaky.

“You got drunk,” I said calmly, standing to give her space. “I brought you back here to make sure you were safe.”

Her cheeks flushed red as she processed my words. “Did we...?”

“No,” I interrupted firmly. “Nothing happened. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Relief washed over her face, though she still looked embarrassed. She mumbled a thank you before getting up to gather her things.

As I stepped into the bathroom, I watched her carefully. Something told me this trip had changed things between us. But whether it was for better or worse, I couldn’t yet tell.