Arrived 227

In this chapter, Isabelle painfully realizes that Nathaniel is as self-centered and selfish as she is, yet she is unwilling to let go of him despite this truth. When Nathaniel demands her help with the Chunk Corp project, Isabelle’s frustration grows as she feels overwhelmed by her struggles and his lack of concern for her feelings. After the call, she is consumed by anger and helplessness, scrolling through hateful comments online and contrasting her own failures with Estella’s soaring success, which intensifies her feelings of inadequacy and desperation.

Isabelle’s assistant reminds her that the Chunk Corp project is losing momentum without her leadership, but Isabelle snaps, unwilling to micromanage the team. Exhausted and pushed to her limits by the online abuse and the pressure of her responsibilities, she decides to take a shortcut by borrowing a completed proposal from her brother’s side of the family. This plan reflects her growing desperation to conserve energy and avoid further stress.

Confidently, Isabelle visits Monroe Corp’s project department, asserting her authority as the family’s eldest daughter. She commands the director to make her coffee and casually accesses the files she needs while pretending to play games on his computer. Her nonchalant attitude baffles the director, who cannot understand how she can remain so carefree amid her personal turmoil.

On her way back, Isabelle calls Kevin to get the contact of his assistant, Chris, hoping to involve him in the project. Despite Kevin’s reluctance and warnings that Chris only listens to his father, Isabelle remains confident and persuasive. Their conversation reveals a playful dynamic, with Isabelle teasing Kevin about his love life and Kevin dismissing her socialite friends, which secretly thrills Isabelle as she feels uniquely chosen by him.

Chapter 227: Isabelle’s Desperation

Only now did Isabelle come to a slow, painful realization—Nathaniel was just as self-centered as she was, utterly selfish at his core. Despite this harsh truth, even if his feelings for her were faint, she found herself unwilling to let go.

Swallowing the sting of her pride, she finally said, “Fine. I’ll have Isaac handle it quickly so I don’t hold you back.”

“That’s better,” Nathaniel replied sharply. “And don’t forget the Chunk Corp project. The bidding starts soon. You promised you’d help me with it, didn’t you?”

Isabelle felt her frustration bubbling over. Here she was, already struggling to keep her head above water, and all he cared about was the Chunk Corp project.

When the call ended, she sat motionless for a moment, her fingers tangled in her hair as anger and helplessness swirled inside her. She scrolled through the endless stream of hateful comments online, wishing she could reach through the screen and silence those keyboard warriors with her bare hands.

Then, almost on impulse, she opened Estella’s Twitter account.

The stark contrast hit her like a slap in the face.

While Isabelle was being torn apart by critics, Estella was receiving praise and adulation from all corners. Isabelle’s investments were crumbling under pressure, yet Estella’s career was soaring to new heights.

Such comparisons could drive anyone to the brink of madness.

She refused to accept it. As the eldest daughter of the Monroe family, how could she possibly be outshone by Estella?

Just then, her phone buzzed. It was her assistant.

“Ms. Monroe, do you still want to keep pushing forward with the Chunk Corp project?” the assistant asked cautiously.

Since Isabelle had essentially stopped showing up, the project managers had lost enthusiasm. Without any sign of leadership or hope, their efforts had become half-hearted at best.

The assistant wanted to remind her that without consistent follow-up, the proposal for Chunk Corp would never be completed on time.

Isabelle snapped, her voice sharp. “They can’t work unless I’m constantly babysitting them? If I have to watch over them every minute, then what am I even paying them for?”

The assistant bit her tongue, knowing better than to argue. The truth was, this project was complicated; crafting a winning proposal required real effort. But with Isabelle’s fiery temper, any attempt to explain was pointless.

It was 1:45 a.m. when Isabelle finally sighed deeply. Working under Ms. Monroe was exhausting, and her assistant was already thinking about quitting after the New Year.

Suddenly, an idea struck Isabelle—a shortcut.

Her brother’s side of the family had plenty of seasoned professionals who had likely completed dozens of high-level proposals. All she had to do was find one to borrow.

That way, she wouldn’t have to waste any more precious time or energy.

With the endless online abuse driving her to the edge, how could she possibly muster the strength to manage a project?

Decision made, Isabelle headed straight to Monroe Corp.

She walked confidently into the project department, the air thick with the faint scent of polished wood and the low hum of fluorescent lights. As the Monroe family’s eldest daughter, she was greeted with respectful nods and subtle bows wherever she went.

She strode into the director’s office without hesitation. “Go make me a cup of coffee,” she commanded casually.

Even the director was just another servant in her eyes. He hurried off without a word to fulfill her request.

While he was gone, Isabelle opened his folders, swiftly locating the files she needed and emailing them to herself.

By the time the director returned with coffee in hand, Isabelle was leisurely playing a game on his computer.

He froze, bewildered. Isabelle had come here… just to play games?

She glanced up at him with a nonchalant smile. “Those trolls online are driving me crazy. I came here to escape. You don’t mind if I borrow your office for a while, do you?”

Of course, the director didn’t dare refuse. Who in his position would risk offending a powerful heiress?

Isabelle stayed there for two hours, pretending to play games, occasionally stretching and yawning dramatically. “I’m off to see Isaac now. I’ll come back and play again sometime,” she said with a lazy wave.

The director was left speechless.

She was being torn apart online, yet still had the mood to play games at the company? The mindset of the wealthy was something he would never understand.

On her way back, Isabelle decided to add an extra layer of security. She picked up her phone and called Kevin.

“Kevin, I need your assistant Chris’s contact info. I want to invite him to dinner.”

Kevin was still sulking over his recent failures to make money.

“Why do you suddenly want him? Is this about the Chunk Corp project? Don’t waste your time. Chris is strictly business—he only listens to my dad. He shoots me down half the time too.”

Isabelle flicked her hair confidently, a sly smile playing on her lips. “You’ll never know unless you try.”

Kevin knew her well enough to realize that if he refused, she’d hound him endlessly.

Reluctantly, he gave her Chris’s WhatsApp number.

Isabelle thanked him sweetly, then asked about his progress with Estella.

Kevin was evasive. “Mind your own business. My affairs aren’t any of yours.”

Isabelle pouted playfully. “I’m only asking because I care—as an old friend. By the way, I have a few gorgeous girlfriends. If you’re bored in Javerton, I can send them your way for company.”

Her friends were all socialites and party girls, and more than one had shown interest in Kevin, though he had never reciprocated.

Thinking of those plastic smiles, Kevin sneered. “Forget it. That type bores me.”

Isabelle felt a secret thrill.

Kevin had high standards, and out of all her friends, she was the only one he had chosen.

Didn’t that prove she was the most beautiful of them all?

Isabelle’s journey through the chapter reveals the raw edges of her vulnerability and the complex interplay of pride, desperation, and determination that define her character. Despite the harsh realities she faces—from Nathaniel’s cold demands to the relentless online attacks—she refuses to surrender to despair. Her actions, whether commandeering the director’s office or reaching out to Kevin, showcase a woman grappling with her insecurities yet fiercely clinging to control and influence in a world that constantly challenges her.

The emotional turmoil Isabelle experiences underscores the chapter’s themes of rivalry, self-worth, and the burdens of legacy. Her unwillingness to be overshadowed by Estella and her strategic maneuvers to secure support reflect a deep-seated need to assert her place within the Monroe family and beyond. In this delicate dance of power and vulnerability, Isabelle emerges not just as a figure of privilege, but as a woman fighting to reclaim her narrative amid the chaos surrounding her.

Next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate web of Isabelle’s personal and professional struggles, as she navigates the fine line between desperation and determination. Her decision to involve Chris, a figure tied closely to powerful family dynamics, hints at shifting alliances and the possibility of unexpected support—or resistance. The tension between her need for control and the mounting external pressures will likely intensify, testing her resilience in new ways.

Emotional undercurrents will run strong as Isabelle confronts the stark contrast between her own faltering fortunes and Estella’s rising star. How will jealousy, pride, and vulnerability shape her next moves? Meanwhile, the subtle interactions with Kevin suggest that old friendships and rivalries are far from settled, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding drama. Readers can anticipate a chapter rich with strategic maneuvering and emotional revelations that could redefine relationships and power balances.

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.