Chapter 692 Yes, Avery — I'm Getting Married 1
Isadora stepped out of the elevator.
A long black stretch car waited at the curb.
As she approached, the driver got out, opened the door for her, and said politely, "Mr. Tobias Robinson has been waiting for you. He really cares about you."
That morning, she and Tobias had reached an agreement — they would marry.
It wasn't romance. It was a transaction. Isadora needed Tobias's wealth to strengthen her claim for custody of Maggie. Tobias needed a wife for appearances and access to her clean energy project. Marrying her would save him millions. Neither of them would lose.
She nodded and slid into the back seat.
Tobias was immaculate in a tailored suit. His gaze held more than professional respect — there was a quiet, unmistakable warmth.
For a man like him, marriage didn't have to be a contract. He had proposed because he wanted her. He wanted to claim her.
The car was spacious, but Isadora still felt a twinge of unease. This man, almost a stranger, would soon be her fiancé. In two months, her husband.
Even though they'd gone over the details that morning — arrangements that clearly favored her and Maggie — she still felt adrift.
Tobias noticed. He didn't press her, just reached over and took her hand.
"After we're married," he said, "I'll give you the one thing you deserve most — respect."
Her eyes stung. For all her strength, that was all she had ever wanted.
Respect.
At the club, after Isadora had gone, Avery sat in the private room for a long time. Jennifer stayed silent beside him.
After about ten minutes, Avery finally spoke, "Jennifer, do you think she means it? About finding someone to marry? Or is she just trying to get under my skin?"
Jennifer gave a small, uneasy smile. She didn't answer. He hadn't really been asking her anyway.
He didn't believe Isadora could find someone suitable. Even if she tried, he was certain she wouldn't succeed.
By the time Avery left the club, the Montague Group's legal team had already restarted the custody case.
A week later.
In the early morning, pale green shoots pushed through the soil in the garden, dew clinging to them.
Wrapped in a cashmere scarf, Isadora walked along the gravel path with a stack of mail in her hands — mostly utility bills. But in the middle was an envelope from the court.
She tore it open. A subpoena. The plaintiff: Avery.
The early spring air was sharp, but it wasn't the cold that made her shiver. Standing in the sunlight, she felt no warmth at all.
Pulling her scarf tighter, she read the document again and again, confirming that Avery truly intended to corner her.
The court date was set for one month later.
But two weeks before that, everything shifted.
Lila was released early and returned to Evergreen City. Tobias had arranged for his parents to meet her. Over dinner, no one mentioned Ronan's death.
Serafina and Jacob were there too.
Jacob learned the news at the table — that Isadora now had a fiancé. He said little, and when Abigail grew restless, he took her to the sofa.
Serafina followed to wipe the little girl's mouth. Jacob looked up at her and whispered, "When did Isadora get a fiancé? If Avery finds out, he'll lose his mind."
Serafina's voice was low, "I only found out a couple of days ago. I didn't know how to tell you. Avery's been trying to take her to court. Isn't this better?"
She remembered begging Avery at the Montague Mansion. His heart had been stone. If Tobias could protect Isadora and give her stability, she didn't care who he was.
Jacob, however, cared.
Men understood men — and he and Avery were cousins. If Avery found out Isadora was marrying someone else, he could burn the wedding venue to the ground.
Leaning back on the sofa, Jacob casually sent Avery a message: [Having dinner with your ex. There's a guy here named Tobias. Big business. Looks like things are serious. By the way, both families are here. And your Maggie? She's calling Mr. Robinson like she's known him forever. Won't be long before she's calling him Dad.]
He even attached the restaurant name and location.
Then he went back to entertaining Abigail.
By coincidence, the Montague family was also at the same restaurant in another private room. Henry, Amelia, Taylor, and Julian were hosting an important guest.
In the middle of the meal, Avery read Jacob's messages — twice — just to be sure.
Isadora and Tobias were discussing marriage.
In this very building.
Avery stood abruptly, startling the table. "Where are you going?" Henry demanded. "You just went to the bathroom. Sit down and have another drink with Joseph."
"Going to see Maggie," Avery said, not slowing his pace.
At the mention of Maggie, Henry turned to their guest. "She's Avery's daughter. Beautiful little thing. You should come meet her."
Joseph agreed easily. "Of course. I'll have to bring a gift next time."
"There'll be plenty of chances," Henry said cheerfully.
The entire Montague family followed Avery — and walked straight into chaos.
In the other room, the Penrose and Robinson families were enjoying themselves.
In Lila's eyes, it was a good thing. Isadora might have borne a child out of wedlock, but now she had a man as fine as Tobias willing to share his life with her.
As for the Robinson family, they thought Tobias, having been married once before, was a perfect match for Isadora. After all, she was beautiful and capable — and they were happy to see it happen.
Just when the mood was at its best, Avery appeared — and at once, Jacob, lounging on the sofa, arched a sharp brow.
Well, wasn't that quick? Had Avery come by rocket?
But moments later, the Montague family arrived as well, which made it clear that Avery was here for dinner too.
"Small world," Jacob murmured.
Serafina shot him a warning look, silently telling him to stay out of it. She had seen enough to believe Tobias's feelings were genuine. He'd even said Maggie didn't have to call him Dad — he'd love her just the same.
The room froze.
All eyes went to Avery. His gaze locked on Isadora and Tobias, sitting close together, looking like a couple already.
"Quite the gathering," Avery said coldly. "Talking wedding plans?"
Maggie spotted him and called softly, "Daddy."
That single word kept him from flipping the table. He crossed the room, hugged her, then looked at Isadora. "We need to talk. Alone."
Before she could answer, the Montague family arrived.
Henry took in the scene and said quickly, "Isadora's hosting family tonight. Whatever it is, it can wait."
Henry liked Isadora. He'd have been happy to see her as a daughter-in-law.
But with Maggie there, he wasn't about to let things turn into a public fight.
With Henry's firm tone — and Maggie in his arms — Avery swallowed his anger.
"Another time," he said, his eyes dark on Isadora.
Her face had gone pale.
He left with Maggie. She didn't stop him. With Henry and Amelia there, she wasn't worried for her daughter's safety. The battle ended before it began.
The room was quiet after they left. Tobias's parents were perceptive people; they had seen the way Avery looked at Isadora — love tangled with fury.
They worried their son might not be able to compete.
Tobias understood her position. He escorted his parents out, spoke briefly with Lila, and then drove Isadora and Lila home. Serafina had wanted to come along, but Isadora refused — she didn't want her caught between the Windsors and the Montagues.
In the parking lot, Serafina hesitated.
Jacob slipped an arm around her shoulders. "Let them handle it. They're adults. Avery won't actually hurt her."
She wasn't sure she believed him.
Once they were in the car, Serafina sat in the backseat with Abigail in her arms and asked, "You were the one who told Avery, weren't you?"
"Yes, I told him," he admitted when she asked. "Tobias is fine, but your sister won't have love with him. And Maggie is Avery's daughter. He'd find out eventually — and lose it even worse."
Serafina had no answer. She just turned away, annoyed.
Jacob softened his tone, brushing his fingers over her cheek. "I'll keep an eye on things. Trust me. Avery still has Isadora in his heart."
And Avery did.
That was why he couldn't wait any longer.
He needed to ask her — to demand — if she truly meant to marry another man. To be someone else's wife.
And if so, what had all her words to him ever meant?