Chapter 4 - Millicent

As soon as she knocked on the door of Isaac's room for the first time, Millicent had to muster all her concentration not to tremble. About ten minutes had passed since she had heard Austin and Jasmine say things she would never forget, but the realization only seemed to be hitting her at that moment, as the tension grew in her chest. The mix of anger and a broken heart had made it seem like her only choice, but…

Was she really about to do something like that?

However, before she could even reflect on that question, the door opened and, suddenly, Isaac was there, making her swallow hard. He was wearing just sweatpants and a towel around his shoulder. His dark blond hair was still damp and, to her surprise, his chest was not just covered in muscles and tattoos, but also scars, some so deep that not even the ink could hide. It was probably the result of the accident he got into after driving drunk when they were teenagers, but still…

“Let me guess…” he interrupted his thoughts, with those icy eyes “My brother did some shit, didn’t he?”

“I…” Millicent sniffed, blushing as she realized she should have at least tried to hide her swollen eyes and her blotchy face “I need to talk to you. It’s important.”  She tried to sound firm, despite her shaky voice.

Instead of answering, he just stood there, staring at her as the minutes ticked by, almost naked and intimidating. It wasn't until Millicent's tension reached its breaking point that he finally moved, entering the room and leaving the door open behind him. Hesitantly, Millicent just followed him, quietly closing the door as Isaac stopped next to a pair of armchairs directly in front of his bed. The entire room smelled strongly of nicotine mixed with some fresh cologne, a potent but also strangely addictive smell.

“Would my guest like a drink?” he said, not looking very hospitable as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

"No." Millicent tried her best not to stutter as she sat across from him“I… I don't want to take up your time, so I'll be quick. And frank. I don't know if you know, but last week, a partnership contract was signed between the Carnbys and the Bianchi Group…”

“It would be hard not to know, when Evan is bragging about it everywhere he goes.” Isaac took a sip of his drink, but made no move to approach her.

“That’s right…” she gritted her teeth as she imagined that scene “That’s why I need you… To finish this contract.” Millicent forced herself to stay focused on those unreadable eyes as soon as those words slipped out “I want to propose a deal to you. A partnership. And it won't just be beneficial for my family's company, that's for sure. If you accept, your gain will not just be the loss the Carnbys will suffer. I will make sure the Bianchi Group's relationships with your companies can be expanded, as well as your profit and the possibilities you have of receiving investments…”

“I think you're going a little too fast, Miss. Bianchi.” he interrupted her, with a hint of a smile on his face “But, that’s okay. I can see that nervousness steals the eloquence you demonstrated in the meeting earlier.” 

“I…”

“Before you continue…” again he shushed her, but this time walking over to where Millicent was, until he stopped in front of her, still standing closer than was comfortable “Maybe I should let you know I’m not in the habit of get involved with the wives of men who want to see my ruin.”

“I'm not Austin's wife! And I never will be!” she snapped, trying to hold back the tears that were building up.

“What a shame… I wonder what my little brother could have done to bring about such a radical change of mind…” Isaac scoffed “Although, from your reaction, I can imagine…”

“I ask you to take this conversation seriously, Mr. Carnby!” she grunted, but his only response was to turn away from her, again toward the drink bottle “At least listen to what I have to say and the details of my proposal. It’s something equally beneficial to both of us…!” Millicent insist, but when he continued to act almost as if she weren't there, the built-up anger got the best of her, causing her to needle him at the point where he couldn't ignore “I can make you the CEO of Evan Carnby’s companies. The same companies that once belonged to your mother.”

She regretted that last sentence before she even finished speaking, because Isaac's glass slammed against the table and his eyes slowly turned to her, sharper than ever.

“I had no idea that you were so well informed about my personal affairs.” he commented, making a shiver run down her spine.

“I… I only know what Austin… What your brother told me about your battle for your mother's inheritance.” she corrected herself, feeling as if that name was acidic on her tongue “But that's enough for me to know the Bianchi's support could be useful in convincing Evan's partners that you're a better option than Austin to become the future CEO. It may seem like the decision is up to Evan alone, but that's a lie. If you demonstrate better results than Austin and strong allies, the investors will side with you despite your reputation. And not even Evan can fight the choice of the men who own a large portion of the shares in his companies.”

Holding her breath, Millicent waited for him to respond, hopeful she had been convincing enough. However, Isaac remained impassive, watching her as if Millicent had said the most predictable thing possible, until he finally broke the silence.

“And what exactly is your plan to make Austin pay, Ms. Bianchi?” 

“There is this clause in the contract…”

“It seems I wasn’t clear enough.” Isaac said and, to her shock, walked towards her until he leaned over her, placing his hands on the arms of the chair and leaving her completely trapped “Not saying your intentions doesn't mean you didn't make them clear, Millicent. You are here to get revenge.”  Her face was just a few centimeters from hers, so close that his smell left her dizzy “But did you really stop to think about what you just proposed to me? Do you realize that not just Austin, but countless people are going to turn against you for getting involved with the disgraced Carnby son? I know your reputation.” he murmured, his voice even deeper than normal “Is the Bianchi’s good girl really willing to deal with the consequences of her plan just to get to her boyfriend? Or will you wake up tomorrow and want to take it back, as soon as he whispers some sweet words in your ear and convinces you to forgive him?”

“You…” her voice trailed off for a moment “You have no idea what he did to me. I would never forgive him…”

“If that's true, then why are you here, hiding in my room and making plans in secret, instead of confronting him directly and using your own power to make him suffer? After all, with or without my help, you’re still a Bianchi, aren’t you?” His eyes remained fixed on hers, confronting her until Millicent couldn't even remember that she was capable of speaking "That's what I thought." he sneered, turning away from her “You may go, Miss. Bianchi. It's very clear that you prefer the easiest and most cowardly path possible, the kind that won't cause the slightest inconvenience to anyone, not even the fiancé you claim to hate. And the last thing I need is a business partner who doesn't have the courage to do what's necessary.”

“I…” Millicent dug her nails into her own knees, but even then she couldn’t say anything.

Not after realizing he was right.

“You should go.” he repeated “I believe it wouldn't be good for your reputation if someone saw you leaving your brother-in-law's room so late at night.”

“If… If I proved you wrong about me…” she was finally able to force the words out “Would you change your mind about helping me?”

“I think you should first convince yourself that you are capable, Miss. Bianchi.” Isaac teased her, turning his back on her again and, this time, Millicent just got up and obeyed him, leaving the room.

“Millie!” Sage panted, standing just a few steps away from the door, waiting for her “Are you okay? Did that man do something? Should I call your parents…?”

"No." she stopped her, walking away from that room “The only person I need to call is my wedding planner.”

“At this time?” Sage blinked in disbelief “I think you can cancel the engagement party later…”

“No, I can't.” Millicent replied, lost in her own thoughts “Because I'm going to bring the party forward.”