The evening sun painted golden streaks across Isabella Mitchell's office on the 47th floor of the Lumiere Tower in Frost Avenue. She massaged her temples, staring at the financial reports scattered across her desk when her phone buzzed. A smile crept across her face at the familiar ringtone.
"Izzy! Please, please, please tell me you're done being a workaholic!" Victoria's voice burst through the speaker, bubbling with her signature enthusiasm.
"Some of us actually have to work for a living, baby sis," Isabella chuckled, leaning back in her chair. "What's got you so excited?"
"So... you know how I'm graduating in three months?" Victoria dragged out each word with practiced charm. "I was thinking... wouldn't it be amazing if we could go to Sapphire Coast? You know, that island resort everyone's talking about?"
Isabella glanced at her computer screen, where another urgent email notification popped up. "Vic, that place costs a fortune—"
"But you're literally a financial genius! And I saw your bonus announcement. Please, Izzy? We haven't had a sisters' trip since... forever!" Victoria's voice took on that pleading tone that had been working on Isabella since they were kids.
"How do you even know about my bonus?" Isabella asked, though she already knew the answer.
"I may or may not follow your company's stock reports," Victoria giggled. "Come on, I'll even wear that horrible sunhat you bought me last summer."
Isabella felt her resistance crumbling. After their parents' accident five years ago, she'd taken on the role of both sister and guardian to Victoria. Maybe they did deserve a break. "Let me check my schedule this weekend, and we'll talk about it."
"Yes! You're the best sister ever! Oh, and Izzy?" Victoria's voice suddenly turned serious. "There's something else I need to tell you... something important."
Isabella sat up straighter, catching the unusual edge in her sister's tone. "What is it?"
"Not over the phone. Can we meet tonight? That little cafe near my place?"
"Vic, I have a meeting in—"
"Please, Izzy. It's really important."
Something in Victoria's voice made Isabella's skin prickle. "Are you in trouble?"
"No! No, nothing like that. Just... something big. Life-changing big. Promise you'll come?"
Isabella checked her calendar. "I can be there by 8:30."
"Perfect! Love you, sis! Don't work too hard!"
After hanging up, Isabella couldn't shake off the weird vibe from Victoria's last words. She tried calling back twice, but no answer. Glancing at her watch—8:15 PM—she grabbed her bag and headed for the parking garage.
The click-clack of her Louboutins echoed through the concrete structure as she approached her white Mercedes. Just as she reached for the door handle, a large hand pressed against the window, blocking her way.
"Leaving without saying goodbye, Ms. Mitchell?"
Isabella suppressed an eye roll before turning around. There stood Blake Harrison—nephew of the CEO, director of their department, and self-proclaimed king of Frost Avenue's nightlife scene. His Tom Ford suit probably cost more than most people's monthly salary, and his smile had graced more tabloid covers than she cared to count.
"Sorry, Blake, I'm in a hurry," she said, trying to keep her voice professional despite her growing anxiety about Victoria.
"Come on, just dinner. Le Blanc just opened their rooftop, and I have a private table." Blake leaned closer, drawing envious glances from a group of female associates walking past.
"I said no." Isabella's tone hardened. "My sister's waiting."
Blake's charming smile took on a sharp edge. "You know, the quarterly review is coming up. It would be a shame if—"
"If what?" Isabella cut him off, her patience snapping. "If you lost the Henderson account? Or the Miller portfolio? Or maybe the Wilson investment group?" She took a step forward, making him back up slightly. "Go ahead, try to fire me. Let's see how the board reacts when they realize half their top clients only work with me."
Blake's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Isabella had already slipped into her car. As she drove away, her phone buzzed again. Still no response from Victoria.