Chapter 187
ISABELLA
Charlotte turned, smiling that slow, knowing smile of hers. “Oh please, Isabella. There are thousands of women Levi could’ve had. Models, heiresses, women who’d sell their souls to be seen on his arm. Yet he chose you. That’s not luck. That’s love.”
I blushed, warmth crawling up my neck. “You really think so?”
“I know so,” she said firmly. “He likes you for you.”
I laughed nervously, brushing my hair back. “Levi’s a billionaire, Charlotte. And me? I’m just a girl…”
That made her laugh—a real, unguarded laugh that filled the car. I joined in, and for a fleeting second, the heaviness between us broke.
When the laughter faded, she reached over and gave my arm a gentle squeeze. “Stop doubting yourself, Isa. You’re gorgeous, smart, and stronger than you think. No one is prettier than you in his eyes. Believe me.”
“Hmmm.”
The soft drizzle had stopped entirely now, the city glimmering under wet streetlights.
I sighed, convinced. “Fine,” I said at last, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll tell him everything. But not now. After this meeting. Just… give me a few days to think. There’s too much at stake, Charlotte—especially the lives of my siblings. I can’t risk them right now.”
Charlotte’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel, her jaw flexing. “That bastard,” she hissed. “That fucking bastard. I can’t believe he is still fucking messing with you. I can’t wait for his downfall. I would pop a champagne to it.”
I let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow in the hum of the car. “A disgusting bastard,” I muttered, biting my lower lip as we passed a tall glass tower—its mirrored surface catching every drop of light from the city. I knew we were close now, and my heart thudded faster. I realized what I was doing—the nervous habit I thought I’d left behind in Italy—chewing my lip until it hurt.
Charlotte glanced over, her eyes narrowing. “Stop chewing on your lip, Isabella,” she said sharply. “You’ll ruin the makeup I spent hours on.”
I gave a shaky laugh. “I… I’m nervous.”
“I know.” Her tone softened just a little, though the firmness remained. “But you can’t show it. Not in there. Do you understand?” She looked at me fully now, her gaze steady and unflinching. “You walk into that office as a woman who knows her worth. No shaking, no hesitation. You don’t look desperate. You don’t look scared. You look like you are ready for anything. That you’ve got what it takes to stand toe-to-toe with Mr. Ferrari. You need to convince him that you can do whatever it takes. Can you do that?”
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words settle deep inside me. Then I nodded slowly. “I can.”
“Good,” she said, her voice softening into something like pride. “Channel the inner Isabella that applied for an internship with Ferrari even when she knew she didn’t meet their requirements. That’s the woman I want walking into Mateo’s office. That’s who I need him to see.”
I smiled, remembering how nervous I was inwardly at the interview when they had caught on to my lies in my CV, but how confident I appeared outwardly.
A shiver ran down my spine as last night’s memory surfaced—the way Levi’s touch had summoned something fierce inside me, something that refused to be small when he had asked me to ride him. I could do it. I can.
“Deep breaths,” Charlotte murmured, glancing at me again. “We’re almost there.”
I inhaled deeply, the air inside the car thick with her perfume—a soft, luxurious scent that clung to the leather seats. The hum of the tires filled the silence between us. My pulse matched their rhythm, steadying slowly.
The city outside blurred as the Mercedes slowed before a gated skyscraper. I looked up at the looming structure and whispered, more to myself than to her, “Let’s do this.”
Charlotte smiled. “That’s my girl,” she said, shifting the car into park.
As the engine stilled, silence pressed close around us, thick and heavy. I reached for the door handle, my heart pounding so hard it almost hurt—but just as I opened it, I froze in place.
“Isabella, get down,” Charlotte said abruptly, her voice sharp enough to slice through my thoughts. I hadn’t even realized she had already stepped out of the car. She moved with the easy confidence of someone who’d done this a thousand times before, her presence calm and commanding. She looked like she belonged here. Of course, she did. She wasn’t an imposter like me.
And me…
I paused, forcing myself to think positively.
I guess I did look the part too.
Swallowing hard, I took a deep breath and stepped out. Together, we looked powerful—and that alone gave me the strength to move forward.
Charlotte handled the security and the receptionist while I lingered a few steps behind, only breathing smoothly again once we stood before the elevator. At the panel, Charlotte swiped the card the guard had given her. The elevator chimed softly, doors sliding open with a muted hiss.
We stepped inside.
Just as the doors began to close, a hand shot forward, slipping between the gap and holding them open.
I looked up—and my heart skipped a beat.