Chapter 5

The car in front suddenly slammed on its brakes, and Isabella couldn't react in time, crashing hard into it. Was this how her morning was going to start?

Frowning, she parked the car, unbuckled her seatbelt, and got out. The driver of the other car quickly stepped out, his expression darkening the moment he saw she was a woman. “Of course, it’s a woman driver! Road killers like you shouldn’t be allowed out!”

He didn’t hold back. Isabella’s face turned cold. “Both men and women can be bad drivers, and it was you who stopped so suddenly. The road’s uneven. There’s a pothole up ahead. Should I have driven right into it? And don’t you know to keep a safe distance?” The man’s voice was gruff and harsh.

Isabella frowned, but then noticed the back window of the car in front lowering slightly. A familiar, magnetic voice reached her ears.

“Zack, we’re in a hurry. Settle this quickly.”

Isabella froze, instinctively looking toward the car window. She couldn’t see the man’s face, but she recognized the voice immediately. It was Jayden! Didn't he say he wouldn't be back for another month? Had that been a lie, too?

Zack’s attitude shifted immediately; he responded respectfully before turning back to Isabella, his tone turning cold again. “My boss is being generous. Just pay up, and we won’t call the cops.”

Isabella laughed sarcastically. “Pay up? No need for you to call them—I’m dialing the cops myself.”

Zack panicked, glancing back at Jayden in the car. It wasn’t that he was afraid of taking responsibility, but Jayden was a big star—he couldn’t afford to waste time like this. They had urgent matters to attend to, and getting a new car would take time.

Because the window was slightly open, Jayden could hear Isabella’s voice. His face darkened as he looked through the crack, fixing his grim gaze on her.

“Isabella, are you serious right now?”

Isabella scoffed. Did he really think she caused the accident on purpose? That she somehow planned this, knowing he’d be passing through? How had she never noticed how self-centered Jayden was before!

“Isabella, I don’t want to see any more of these childish tricks.”

Isabella raised an eyebrow, but before she could respond, Jayden’s voice cut through the air again. “Zack, get in the car.”

Zack, Jayden’s new driver who wasn’t yet aware of the history between them, was completely lost. But he nodded and prepared to get back into the car.

Isabella’s voice turned sharp. “If you drive off, that’s a hit-and-run. Don’t blame me when I expose your details to the public. Won’t look too good for your reputation.”

Zack froze, glaring at her angrily. Jayden’s gaze grew even colder. “Isabella, I don’t have time to waste with you.”

Isabella chuckled. She didn’t want to waste time either, but this car would cost a lot to fix. No way was she letting him just leave. “You think you have the upper hand here! I’m giving you one minute.”

11:45 AM

Chapter 3

Seeing her already holding her phone, Zack looked helplessly at Jayden. Jayden’s usually icy demeanor turned downright frigid. In the past, Isabella would have been flustered and apologized immediately. But now, she stood her ground, unphased. Jayden frowned, wondering whether she was serious.

No, this was just a trick. Jayden’s handsome face hardened. “Isabella, my patience is running out. You know my temper, and if you keep—”

Isabella sneered. “You’ve got fifty seconds left.”

She wasn’t the same girl who would blindly chase after him anymore. Even if it hurt her deep down, she was done with him for good.

Their eyes met through the small gap in the window. Jayden was surprised. For the first time in months, he saw Isabella’s face. She looked different—more beautiful, maybe. But there was no longer that soft, loving gaze she used to have—only coldness and contempt. Jayden’s eyes flickered. She… had changed.

Isabella stared back at him, her voice sharp. “Jayden, stop assuming the world revolves around you. I couldn’t care less about someone like you.”

“You!” Jayden could barely contain his anger. Isabella, however, wasn’t interested in continuing the argument. “You wrecked my car. Pay me a million, and I’ll let it go.”

Jayden laughed in disbelief. “A million? Have you lost your mind?”

Zack, standing nearby, glanced at Isabella’s car and hesitated. “Uh, boss… that’s a limited-edition Ferrari. It really could be worth a million.”

Isabella blinked. Limited edition? Had Samuel given her such an expensive car? She hadn’t even noticed. Maybe she should have asked for more.

Jayden frowned, for he knew Zack was an expert in cars. His expression turned sour as he glanced back at her. “Where did you get the car?” The Stouts would never buy her something this extravagant.

Isabella’s lips curled into a smirk. “I found myself a sugar daddy. Does it make sense for you?”

“Isabella!”

Jayden’s fists tightened. No wonder she had broken up with him, no wonder she was being so confident—she’d hooked up with some rich guy? No, this had to be her way of getting his attention. The car might have been rented.

Before he could speak, Isabella raised her phone. “You’ve got five seconds before I call the cops.”

“Zack, transfer the money.”

Chapter 3

“Boss…” Zack couldn’t believe it but quickly shot Isabella a glare. “If it weren’t for my boss being in a hurry, do you think you’d get away with this so easily?”

Grumbling, Zack took her account details and transferred the money. During the whole exchange, Isabella didn’t spare Jayden a single glance, though he kept his eyes on her the entire time. For once, Jayden’s sharp gaze failed to see through her.

Isabella, well played, he thought.

Once she received confirmation of the transfer, Isabella finally looked back at Jayden. “Jayden, you’re a walking disaster. Don’t ever let me see you again.”

“Isabella, it seems I’ve spoiled you too much. Once I deal with my business, I’ll be having a chat with your father.”

Isabella scoffed. “Do whatever you want.”

With that, she climbed back into her car without sparing him another look. As she sat behind the wheel, Isabella took a deep breath, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Jayden, this is where we end. If you push me any further, I won’t hold back. Don’t ever think you can use me again, she thought.

Isabella closed her eyes for a moment and drove off. She had important things to take care of today.