Chapter 691 Avery Concedes 2
On the phone, Isadora thought for a moment before answering, "Afternoon. I have a meeting in the morning."
Avery didn't question it. Isadora was in business; meetings and social obligations were part of her life. He simply agreed and set the time and place.
To her surprise, he didn't choose the Montague Group offices but a private room in an upscale club. She guessed he was bringing his lawyers again. The thought chilled her, but she had learned to face it without flinching.
She agreed, and Avery ended the call. Maybe he couldn't stomach her compromise either.
He still couldn't let go of what had happened with Tobias. He despised what he saw as her lack of self-respect.
After hanging up, Avery stared at the gray horizon, a weight pressing in his chest.
He took a quick shower, splashed his face with cold water, and changed into fresh clothes. Early that morning, he went to pick up Maggie.
He dressed her himself. It was early spring, and she wore a pale yellow sweater with a little duck on the front. She looked adorable, her delicate face framed by soft hair, her big eyes fixed on him. "Are you really sending me back to live with Mommy?"
Kneeling, Avery slipped tiny sheepskin shoes onto her feet, then pulled her into his arms. "Daddy promises, I'll bring you back soon."
Relieved, Maggie hugged his neck and kissed his cheek. "Maggie loves Daddy."
The words hit him hard. He told himself he was making the right choice.
After breakfast, he drove her back.
Henry and Amelia were reluctant to let her go. And they didn't yet know about Tobias. They believed that as long as both parents were single and shared a child, reconciliation was inevitable. But Avery had pushed too far.
At Isadora's villa, Avery handed Maggie over to the nanny from Vesper City.
As she climbed out of the car, she clung to his neck. "Daddy, you have to come visit me."
He tapped her lightly on the backside.
Sweet now, after last night's chaos. But he could never truly punish her. He had already sacrificed his marriage for her.
Sitting back in the car, he wondered—was this really for Maggie? Or was it for the darker, selfish part of himself?
He didn't know.
At two o'clock, Isadora arrived at the private room on time.
Again, she was surprised. Avery hadn't brought his twelve-member legal team—only Jennifer.
Isadora came alone. As soon as she entered, Jennifer greeted her warmly, "Ms. Penrose, can I get you something to drink?"
Isadora sat, tense. The last meeting with Avery had left its mark. If she could, she would have avoided seeing him at all.
She glanced at the menu and ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail.
Jennifer left with the menu, clearly giving them space.
Isadora said nothing, sipping water from a mug.
Across the long table, Avery watched her, his gaze steady and unreadable. She no longer had the will to decipher it.
She set the mug down. "What do you want? If this is about Maggie's custody, I'll repeat myself—I want to raise her myself."
His eyes darkened.
After a long pause, he spoke quietly, "Marry me. We'll raise Maggie together. But we'll sign a prenuptial agreement. My shares in the Montague Group will be protected, and our assets will remain separate. I'll provide fifty million dollars a year for household expenses. Maggie's education and trust will be taken care of. All you have to do is be Mrs. Montague."
He went on, "That means no scandals that could damage the Montague Group, and yes, that includes marital obligations. As for a second child, we'll decide after two years."
When he finished, Isadora blinked slowly.
Her voice was calm but edged. "It sounds like you're offering me a great gift—daily access to Maggie, fifty million a year to spend, and the privilege of bearing your second child. Mr. Montague, many women would be thrilled. But I, Isadora, will not. Because in this marriage, you're not treating me as a person."
Avery's expression tightened. He hadn't expected her to refuse outright. She had once cried and begged him. She had even agreed to move to Vesper City with Maggie. Were those options better than marrying him?
He locked eyes with her. "Think carefully. If you refuse, I have other ways to deal with my parents. For example, I could send Maggie overseas."
The next second, Isadora's hand struck his cheek.
The sharp sound shattered the air, along with the last fragile thread between them.
They both breathed hard, glaring at each other.
After a long moment, Avery raised his hand.
Isadora didn't flinch. She even closed her eyes, waiting for the blow. Maybe that would be better—then they would be enemies for good.
But his hand only brushed past her cheek.
A tear slid from the corner of her eye. Her voice trembled, "I've consulted a lawyer. If I marry someone who can offset my negative assets and build a stable home, you'll have no legal grounds to take Maggie."
"Is that so?" Avery's tone was low, almost amused. "You're still naive. Where will you find a man worth over ten billion who truly cares for you and doesn't care about your past? Who else but me would take you in?"
"Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Montague," she said, still shaking.
This time, his anger flared.
He let out a cold laugh. "If you're so determined, I'll wait for your good news. In the meantime, my lawyers will reopen the custody case."
"I'll wait for your subpoena," she replied.
They stared each other down, neither willing to yield.
Love twisted into something sharp and destructive.
Just then, Jennifer returned with the cocktail, hoping to ease the tension.
But Isadora stood, slipping on her coat. "I won't be needing that. Goodbye, Mr. Montague."
She had almost reached the door when his voice stopped her.
"Isadora."
Her hand tightened on the doorknob. She lowered her gaze, hiding the tears in her eyes. "Avery, we're not right for each other."
Without waiting for his reply, she opened the door and walked out.
At the end of the hallway, a window stood open. Cold wind rushed in, stinging her cheeks. But she had never felt more clear-headed.
Avery was a dangerous sweetness—irresistible but toxic. Tobias was plain, steady, nourishing.
And now, she was choosing steady over sweet.
The crystal lights glittered overhead, but her face was pale.
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