Chapter 689 The Plea of Isadora 2
The moment Avery finished speaking, the room froze.
No one had expected him to say something like that. Everyone could see there was more than just history between Avery and Isadora — they had a child together, for God's sake. And yet, with one sentence, Avery had shoved her completely out of his world.
The silence was suffocating. No one dared to speak.
It was Jennifer who finally broke it, her voice careful. "Mr. Montague, perhaps we should step out and give you and Ms. Penrose some privacy."
Avery's gaze never left Isadora. His tone was quiet but firm. "The legal team is here for the custody case. There is no need for privacy."
Jennifer pressed her lips together and stepped aside.
Avery turned fully toward Isadora. "I know raising a child costs time and effort. I won't let you walk away with nothing. Name your terms — if they're reasonable, I'll agree. And if you want to see Maggie, you can. Once a week. Daytime only. No overnights."
Isadora just stared at him, his words echoing in her head.
Once, she would have walked out without a second thought. But now, this was about Maggie. She couldn't just leave. She had to beg.
Her voice trembled, a faint crack breaking through, "Avery, I could take Maggie to live in Vesper City. Pretend she never existed here. She won't interfere with your future marriage. I'll shut down my company here. I won't set foot in Evergreen City again. I just want custody of Maggie. For that, I'll give up everything."
Every shred of her pride lay crushed beneath her own feet.
But she didn't care.
Maggie was her child. She couldn't let Avery marry someone else and take Maggie with him. She couldn't let Maggie think her mother had abandoned her. She couldn't let her daughter grow up watching the face of a stranger, measuring her every move.
She couldn't.
Jennifer and the lawyers were stunned.
In business, Isadora was known as the Iron Lady. And now, she was willing to give up everything she had built for custody of her daughter.
The room fell silent again.
Finally, Avery spoke, his voice low, "Leave us."
A moment later, the room was empty.
Only the sound of their breathing filled the space.
Avery rose, walked behind her, leaned close.
His lips brushed her ear, his tone soft but laced with cruelty. "So you take Maggie to Vesper City… and I get to visit overnight? Is that what you're offering, Isadora? Are you saying you want to be my mistress?"
"No." She closed her eyes. Her voice was quiet, frayed. "Believe it or not, Avery, I have no interest in being entangled with you anymore. I know I can't fight you. So please, just let me go."
He studied her profile, eyes unreadable.
After a pause, he smiled faintly. "Is that so? Then tell me — why would I let you take Maggie?"
Her eyes shone with unshed tears. Maggie was her only weakness.
She looked at him and asked softly, "Do you really want me to be your mistress?"
"I'm considering it."
Isadora rose slowly.
Her voice carried exhaustion, "I think I understand you now. Avery, even a dog grows attached after enough time. But you… you never do. You'll always be the untouchable Mr. Montague of the Montague Group. And me? I was never good enough."
She drew a breath. "But I will never be your mistress."
Avery straightened, meeting her gaze. "So you'll just move on to other men? Is that it?"
"Mr. Montague, you're absolutely right. Does that answer satisfy you? As for your legal team's so-called evidence—bring it on. Go ahead. Show Maggie exactly how her father treats her mother. Let her see it, and let it break her heart. You don't care, do you? All that matters to you is your oh-so-precious male pride."
Her eyes brimmed with tears. She spat out, "Avery, fuck you."
Then she kicked a chair hard enough to send it crashing to the floor.
The loud bang startled Jennifer outside. She pushed the door open. "Mr. Montague, are you alright?"
Avery's face was dark, his jaw tight. He said nothing.
Jennifer glanced at the overturned chair and guessed immediately what had happened. Inwardly, she thought, 'Good for you, Isadora. That's exactly what he deserved.'
Isadora stormed out without another word.
But as she walked away, her chest tightened. She didn't know if Avery would retaliate, if he'd send Maggie overseas, cut off all contact. If he did, she would lose her mind.
Jennifer watched her go, then turned to Avery. "Mr. Montague?"
"Let her leave," he said coldly.
He set the chair upright, his brow furrowed, his expression shadowed.
Outside the Montague Group building, Isadora slid into her car. Her phone rang.
It was Tobias.
His voice was warm, almost cheerful. "Ms. Penrose, I'd like to invite you to dinner. Would you be willing to join me?"
She opened her mouth to refuse, but Tobias cut in, his tone edged with a knowing smile. "What if I told you I could solve your problem? Would you still turn me down?"
Isadora tightened her grip on the phone. "Tobias… what do you mean?"
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