Chapter 86 Finding Inspiration

Chapter 86 Finding Inspiration

Evening fell over the Bellevue district, cicadas chirping incessantly outside the Harper family mansion.

Isabella sat at her desk with one hand covering her ear as she attempted to sketch. Her expression was cold and detached, brows furrowed in concentration. The atmosphere in her room was suffocating.

"Get out! What is wrong with you people? Why must you disturb me when I'm working? Are you doing this deliberately?" 

The sudden knock at her door shattered Isabella's taut nerves. She violently threw her pencil across the room and swept everything off her desk, cursing under her breath. "Damn it! All of you can go to hell! Why is everyone against me? I can't design! I can't create anything..."

Her voice rose with each word, her anger leading her to attack everything within reach. But when her eyes caught sight of the messy sketches scattered on the floor, Isabella's rage suddenly dissipated.

She collapsed back into her chair, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She covered her face with her hands, wanting to cry but unable to summon tears.

Frustration washed over her. Why couldn't she create a decent design?

The Design Contest had attracted many participants, including people from their social circle. Her friends had been asking about her entry. To prove herself, and to outshine Olivia, Isabella had been working day and night, yet had produced nothing satisfactory. Even the designs she'd commissioned from others were mediocre at best.

With only three days left before the submission deadline, she had made zero progress.

The maid outside her door nervously explained, "I'm so sorry, Ms. Harper. Mrs. Harper asked me to bring you some milk. I had no intention of disturbing you!"

Isabella stared blankly into space, not bothering to look at the servant. "Leave."

"I'll just place the milk here for you."

After setting the glass on a side table, the maid quickly backed out of the room, closing the door behind her.

What could she do with only three days left?

Isabella dug her nails into her palm, the pain helping to clear her foggy mind. Almost by instinct, she remembered that two years ago, Olivia had created several drafts while helping James with a design competition. Those sketches might still be at his place.

Those drafts could be useful!

With this thought, Isabella immediately called James.

"James," she said as soon as he answered, her voice deliberately fragile.

Hearing her tone, James immediately asked what was troubling her.

"I—I'm fine," Isabella replied, tears now falling freely. Her voice trembled as she continued, "The design is so difficult. I've been working for days without progress. James, I'm exhausted. Do you think I simply don't have talent for this?"

Her delicate crying was like a feathered hook, tugging at James's heartstrings.

Fighting the restlessness building within him, he consoled her. "Don't cry, darling. If you're tired, then take a break. There are still a few days until the deadline, right? No need to rush."

Isabella continued between sniffles, "But I still have absolutely no ideas."

"What should we do then?" James asked.

Isabella seized her opportunity. "Don't you still have some of Olivia's drafts at your place? Could I look at them? Maybe they'll inspire me."

"Of course. I'll find them and bring them to you."

Isabella glanced at her room, now in disarray from her earlier outburst. "I'd rather come to you. No need for you to make the trip."

Ten minutes later, Isabella opened the door to James's house.

She carefully placed the folder of sketches he handed her into her bag, then stood on tiptoe to give him a brief kiss. "Thank you, James. I really appreciate this."

Dissatisfied with her fleeting peck, James cupped her face in his hands and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss.

When they finally separated, Isabella fell weakly into his arms, breathing heavily, her eyes glistening with desire, her cheeks flushed.

James lifted her by the waist and carried her to the sofa. As he sat down, his hand slipped beneath her dress, whispering in her ear, "This is how you should thank me."

"I have important work to do," Isabella protested weakly, pushing half-heartedly against his chest.

In the next moment, his fingers thrust her pussy, and Isabella's body trembled as soft, intimate sounds escaped her lips.

James withdrew his wet fingers and pushed them into her mouth, murmuring affectionately, "What use are Olivia's drafts? If you need help, I can have the Kent Group's designers create something for you. No need to go through all this trouble."

His words sparked an idea. Isabella wrapped her arms around James's neck, breathing seductively into his ear, "James, could you get me Olivia's current design for the contest?"

Of course—Olivia was working at Titan Enterprises now. If Isabella could obtain her sister's actual submission, her chances would be even better, without the risk of obvious plagiarism.

Hearing this, James turned Isabella's face toward his, making her look at him directly. "Isabella, have more confidence in yourself."

Why did she always compare herself to Olivia? Why did she constantly undervalue herself and place her hopes on others?

"But..." Isabella bit her lip. "Please help me, James. I really need this."

She untied the ribbon at her back, letting her dress slide to the floor, revealing her skin. She pressed against his chest, her hand finding and stroking his cock with gentle movements.

Within moments, James was overcome with desire, pinning her beneath him. "Anything for you, my darling. Anything."

James guided Isabella's head, urging, "Harder."

As her soft, warm tongue caressed his cock, James tilted his head back, his lips parting in a sigh of pleasure. "I can even get that bitch's contest entry for you if you want."

"Thank you, James," Isabella murmured indistinctly from her position on the floor.

"Don't talk. Just continue."

The next morning, Olivia woke early.

Her health had fully recovered, and today marked her return to work. After breakfast, she got into Alexander's car, and they headed to Titan Enterprises together.

As the car pulled into the underground parking garage, James had just unfastened his seatbelt, preparing to exit his own vehicle. He froze when he spotted Alexander's car parking in a diagonal space across from him.

The doors opened, and Olivia stepped out, followed by Alexander in his wheelchair.

Why was she getting out of his car? Had she been at his place last night?

The thought that they might have spent the night together, only to arrive early at work this morning, made James's blood boil. He flung open his car door, intending to confront them.

"Mr. Kent, please don't act rashly!" his driver exclaimed, quickly pulling him back into the seat and closing the door. "Mr. Kent, remember that Mr. Blake is the reason you returned safely to the country. Don't create an awkward situation over a small misunderstanding."

A small misunderstanding? They were practically flaunting their affair in his face!

James was furious, but he knew the driver spoke truthfully. Ultimately, he restrained himself from charging over to them.

Meanwhile, Olivia was still pondering the situation of her mother, walking slowly with her head down, not noticing that Alexander had moved beside her.

As she turned a corner, she failed to see clearly and accidentally caught her foot on Alexander's wheelchair. Her balance immediately faltered!

Olivia's heart skipped a beat as she realized too late she couldn't regain her footing.

Alexander reacted quickly, grabbing her arm. The momentum sent Olivia tumbling directly into his lap.

Alexander smiled as he deliberately teased, "So eager to throw yourself into my arms?"