The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

Ysabel had a hunch that Brittany wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, but she kept that to herself.

After the workday ended, Brittany was whisked away by Isaac.

Ysabel sighed and threw herself back into her tasks, feeling a bit helpless.

Isaac's career was on an upswing, and with Brittany's sudden rise to stardom, the spotlight had inevitably fallen on their marriage as well.

Once they were in the car, Isaac handed Brittany a cup of lemon water. "Here, have some water. Are you tired?"

"A little," Brittany admitted, taking a sip. "Business is booming."

Success could be its own kind of torture.

Isaac reached out and gently pinched her cheek, caressing it softly. "Tonight, I'm meeting up with Dominic. Come with me."

Brittany thought of Estelle. "Is he still with Ms. Ulbricht?"

"Yeah, they have years of history; it's not something you just cut off."

Craneville had been profoundly traditional in the past, only beginning to modernize in the last few decades. In certain circles, it wasn't uncommon to have a spouse at home and a lover on the side.

In fact, the Hartman family was well aware that Dominic couldn't just sever ties with Estelle. They'd made concessions. As long as Dominic didn't marry her, they were prepared to look the other way.

"Ms. Ulbricht agreed to that?"

"She didn't really have much choice."

The Ulbricht family had fallen on hard times, with Estelle's parents in the hospital and a flood of medical bills. Only Dominic was willing to foot the bill.

Brittany was surprised that such notions still existed in the twenty-first century.

Isaac could tell what she was thinking. "That's not how things work in Imperial City; I'm a firm believer in monogamy."

Brittany chuckled. "Let's go."

Although Brittany had done her homework on Estelle, this would be their first official meeting.

Estelle was quite different from her public persona. She seemed a bit naive about love, at

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least in Brittany's eyes.

As the evening wore on and the drinks flowed freely, Isaac and Dominic delved into business talk.

Estelle took the initiative to pour Brittany a cup of drink. "We've met in passing at a restaurant before."

"Yes."

Estelle seemed to be bursting at the seams, not minding that this was their first proper meeting. "You know about Dominic's engagement to the royal family, right?"

"I heard something about that from Zakky."

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "Everyone seems to think I'm debasing myself."Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

She paused. "Like they're eager for me to leave Dominic and start afresh."

Brittany sensed that Estelle was starved for a friend, confiding in her despite their brief acquaintance.

"Mr. Hartman treats you well."

"He does," Estelle acknowledged with a bittersweet smile. "I can accept not marrying him and it's not just about the money."

"You..."

"I used to think that a man couldn't be shared," Estelle cut in, knowing what Brittany intended to say. "But I'd rather be with Dominic than worry! about that Dominic and I grew up together, a decade of togetherness, every minute filled with genuine affection. And now, I find myself falling for him more each day. He promised that even if he married someone else, nothing would happen between them."

"But the Hartman family..."

The Hartman family, so concerned with pedigree, would surely be particular about their progeny.

"Technology changes lives."

That was the greatest effort Dominic had made. He'd given Estelle everything but a marriage certificate. And any child she bore would be entered into the Hartman family records and receive the finest upbringing.

Brittany couldn't quite grasp Estelle's perspective but respected her choice all the same.