*MICHEAL'S POV*:
As the day wore on, my unease grew. I decided to confront Vanessa directly, hoping to rattle her enough to reveal something useful.
I had arranged for a meeting at a neutral location, a high-end restaurant where our conversation would remain discreet yet public enough to prevent any escalation or misconceptions that I was getting back with her.
When I arrived, Vanessa was already seated, her expression unreadable. She greeted me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, her polished demeanor hiding the venom that lurked beneath.
"Michael," she said smoothly, gesturing for me to sit. "It's always a pleasure."
I kept my tone cold and businesslike. "I'll skip the pleasantries, Vanessa. I'm here to make it clear that this feud ends now. Isabella has been through enough, and I won't let you drag her or her family through the mud any longer."
