Chapter 5 I Can't Wait

"I did leave the company, but it's because I want to pursue a better future and a new direction in life," I said. "It's a pity that I disappointed you."

Savannah's eyes flashed with anger. She was left speechless for a moment by my sharp retort. "What gives you the right to be so smug? Now Eva has secured the AO3 project, and she'll soon replace you."

Savannah boasted, "Do you know where I'm headed now? Eva's celebration party."

I frowned.

"It seems you weren't invited. This is a party Richard organized for Eva to celebrate her success with the AO3 project." Savannah raised her eyebrows, looking pleased with herself. "Of course, it's a Ahmed family's party. An outsider like you shouldn't be there."

With that, she strutted off in her high heels.

I stood there, then let out a mocking laugh.

A celebration party. Richard had the nerve to throw a party for Eva. He surely had taken shamelessness to a whole new level.

Just as I was thinking this, my phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Richard.

I answered.

"Darling, I just sent you a file to your email. Please make the revisions and send it back to me." His voice was gentle, as if nothing had happened.

I opened my email and immediately saw the proposal. It was so familiar-AO3.

I scoffed, "The project has already been handed over to Eva. I have no reason to get involved."

There was a pause on the other end. Richard seemed to sense my mood and cautiously asked, "Are you upset? Isabella, it's my father's request. I had no choice..."

I remained silent.

Laughter came through the phone, and someone called his name. I recognized the voices; it was his group of rowdy friends.

Clearly, they were all attending the celebration party.

So the so-called "family party" was only excluding me.

"Isabella," Richard pleaded, "Don't be like this, okay? AO3 is important to the company. My father values you; that's why he wants your help. As my fiancée, it's only right for you to help the family business."

He brushed off his outrageous behavior as perfectly normal.

I was about to respond when Eva's voice suddenly cut in, "Richard, let me handle it. Don't argue with Isabella. It's normal for her to be upset since I took her project."

Eva spoke as if she were the one who had been wronged.

Richard comforted her, "Don't worry, Isabella won't mind."

When Richard spoke again, his tone was impatient. "Isabella, stop being difficult. Hurry and send over the revised document. The Sanderson Group is pressing for the proposal."

In the background, his friends were urging him more loudly.

He hung up the phone before I could respond.

I stared at the darkened phone screen, devoid of emotion. Richard's favoritism, Eva's provocations-they no longer angered me.

These past few days, I had been working tirelessly, undergoing Carson's tests, and managing the deals between Brooks Group and Douglas Group, barely getting any sleep. Yet Richard never noticed my exhaustion; Eva was all he cared about.

What more could I expect from him?

The wedding date was approaching. I counted the days, waiting for them to fall into my trap.

Just then, I received a new message. It was from Eva.

It was a video.

I opened it and saw footage of the party. She was surrounded by admirers, with Richard beside her, pride in his eyes.

Danny loudly announced, "Eva secured AO3-it's Ahmed Group's glory!"

Cheers erupted.

Richard then made another announcement, "And there's more good news-Eva is pregnant."

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

Savannah, delighted, took off a pink diamond necklace and personally placed it around Eva's neck. "You're the only true Richard's wife in our eyes."

The camera shifted to Richard on the balcony, toasting with his friends. One friend joked, "What about Isabella? Aren't you getting married? Are you canceling the wedding?"

Richard shook his head, confidently saying, "Impossible. Marrying Isabella has always been my dream. She will forever be my goddess, and I love her."

I stifled a laugh at the sheer absurdity.

Claiming to love me while having a child with Eva.

My phone rang again. Walter's voice was cool. "Miss Brooks, I have control of all the cameras at the wedding venue. The team is ready. We will present you with the most spectacular live stream."

I looked out at the night, a slow smile forming on my lips.

"I can't wait."