Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 56: Wrong help

Chapter 56: Wrong help

The car cut through the city, the low hum of the engine filling the silence. Isabella sat with her arms crossed, fingers tapping lightly against her elbow, her mind still tangled in the aftermath of the board meeting. It wasn’t just about control—it was about power. And if she let them dictate her finances, she might as well hand over the company.

Liam sat beside her in the back seat, while Marcus drove. Liam glanced at her, studying her expression. He didn’t need to ask how it went. The way she carried herself—rigid, lost in thought—said everything.

After a while, she spoke. "I need a plan."

Liam’s brow lifted slightly. "That’s new."

She turned her head, giving him a sharp look. "Don’t start."

"Not starting. Just noticing." He shifted in his seat. "You’re usually the one calling the shots. Not looking for help."

She exhaled, shaking her head. "They want to bring in financial oversight. If that happens, I lose control."

Liam’s fingers tapped against his knee. "And you can’t shut it down?"

"Not without leverage." A pause. Then, "I’ll call Seraphina."

Liam’s posture stiffened slightly. "No."

Isabella turned to him sharply. "What?"

"No," he repeated, firmer this time.

Her eyes narrowed. "You don’t get to tell me no."

Liam exhaled, shaking his head. "That’s not what I meant."

She scoffed. "Then what did you mean?"

He hesitated. His instinct was to be blunt—to tell her that Seraphina wasn’t the answer. But he knew Isabella. Knew how she handled opposition. Pushing would only make her double down.

’Think, mate. Shift the conversation before she digs in.’

He forced a small smirk. "Just surprised, that’s all. Thought you’d have a backup plan before even considering outside help."

It worked—she didn’t push on his reaction. Instead, she sighed, looking out the window. "I do. But I don’t have time for long-term solutions. I need results now."

Liam kept his expression neutral, but inside, his thoughts were racing.

’She’s moving too fast. Desperate decisions lead to bad ones. And Seraphina? She never helps without collecting later.’

Isabella straightened in her seat, her decision made. "Marcus," she called to the driver, "take Riverside Drive. We’ll go through Eastwood."

Marcus nodded in the rearview mirror. "Yes, ma’am."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Thought we were heading home ?"

"Change of plans," Isabella replied, already reaching for her phone. She scrolled through her contacts, her thumb hovering over Seraphina’s name. The car slowed as they approached a traffic light, the evening glow of the city painting shadows across her face.

Liam watched her carefully. "Isabella, are you sure about this?"

She didn’t answer. Instead, she tapped the screen and brought the phone to her ear. Three rings, and then—

"Isabella. What a pleasant surprise." Seraphina’s voice carried through the phone loud enough for Liam to hear.

"I need to see you," Isabella said, skipping pleasantries.

A soft laugh. "Darling, I’m not one for last-minute engagements."

"It’s important."

A pause, then: "The Lexington. Eight o’clock."

"I’ll be there in twenty."

The call ended, and Isabella slipped her phone back into her purse. She caught Liam watching her with thinly veiled disapproval.

"Don’t start," she said before he could speak.

"I didn’t say anything."

"You didn’t have to." She leaned forward slightly. "Marcus, The Lexington, please. You know where it is."

"Yes, ma’am," Marcus confirmed, making a smooth turn onto Riverside Drive.

The car glided through the evening traffic, streetlights flickering past in rhythmic succession. Isabella’s fingers returned to their tapping against her elbow, her mind already formulating approaches, counter-arguments, negotiation tactics.

"You know she doesn’t give without taking," Liam finally said, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

Isabella turned to him, a slight frown forming. "How would you know? I don’t recall you and Seraphina ever being close."

Liam held her gaze. "We don’t need to be close for me to see her pattern."

"And what pattern is that?"

"Every favor has a price tag. Usually one you don’t see until it’s too late."

Isabella stared straight ahead. "Everyone takes, Liam. The question is whether what they give is worth the cost."

"And with Seraphina?"

A hint of a smile touched her lips. "I’ll make sure it is."

The rest of the drive passed in strained silence, the city transforming around them as they moved from the financial district into the more exclusive neighborhoods. Old money architecture loomed on either side of the street, and the pedestrians changed from hurried office workers to leisure-paced elites.

Marcus pulled up outside The Lexington, a discreet establishment with no signage beyond a small copper plate beside heavy wooden doors. A valet approached as the car came to a stop.

Isabella gathered her purse, preparing to exit. "Stay here," she said to Liam. "I won’t be long."

Liam frowned. "Isabella—"

"I don’t need a bodyguard for a friendly dinner," she cut him off, her tone firm.

His jaw tightened, but he knew better than to push. As the valet opened her door, Liam leaned toward her.

"Just remember who you’re dealing with."

Isabella’s lips curved into a small smile. "I always do."

She stepped out of the car, leaving Liam behind with Marcus. The valet closed the door, and Isabella walked toward the entrance alone. She could feel Liam’s eyes on her back, his concern almost tangible, but she dismissed it. This was her battle to fight.

The Lexington was subtle wealth—dark wood, soft lighting, and conversations worth more than most people’s net worth. The maître d’ recognized her immediately.

"Ms. Ashworth," he greeted with a respectful nod. "Ms. Ravenswood ais already seated."

He led her through the main dining area to a secluded booth in the back, where Seraphina sat with perfect posture, legs crossed, her glass of wine untouched.

Seraphina smiled as Isabella slid into the booth. "Darlings like you don’t usually call for help." Her gaze lingered on the empty space behind Isabella. "No shadow today?"

Isabella settled into the booth. "Some conversations are better had alone."

"Indeed they are."

Isabella didn’t bother with pleasantries. "The board is pushing for oversight. If I don’t act, I lose control."

Seraphina hummed, her manicured finger tracing the rim of her wine glass. "And what do you need from me?"

"You know how to shift narratives. I need that."

Seraphina’s lips curled. "You need a distraction."

Isabella leaned in slightly. "Go on."

"Something bigger than their concerns. Something that makes your spending look strategic instead of reckless." She took a slow sip before setting her glass down. "A high-profile partnership."

"With who?"

Seraphina’s smile deepened. "Leave that to me."

Something about the way she said it made unease creep up Isabella’s spine.

"And in return?"

Seraphina tilted her head slightly. "A favor. I’ll cash it in when the time is right."

Isabella’s instincts screamed at her. But she was out of options.

She exhaled. "Fine."

Seraphina clinked her glass lightly against Isabella’s. "Consider it handled."

The conversation shifted then, moving to deliberately lighter topics—mutual acquaintances, industry gossip, the new exhibit at the Thornfield Gallery. But beneath each exchange, Isabella felt Seraphina’s calculation, the way her eyes assessed and measured, as if already planning how to use this new connection.

After nearly forty minutes, Isabella glanced at her watch. "I should go."

Seraphina nodded, watching as Isabella gathered her things. "I’ll be in touch by tomorrow afternoon."

"Good." Isabella stood, smoothing down her skirt.

"And Isabella?" Seraphina’s voice stopped her. "Do remember that my solutions work best when implemented exactly as instructed."

Isabella held her gaze. "I don’t take orders well."

Seraphina smiled. "Then consider them strong suggestions."

Isabella nodded once, then turned away. She made her way through the restaurant, feeling lighter yet somehow burdened at the same time. Outside, the evening had fully settled in, the streetlights casting pools of golden light on the sidewalk. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what she’d just committed to.

The car was waiting exactly where she’d left it. Marcus stepped out to open the door for her, and she slid into the back seat. Liam’s expression was carefully neutral, but she could feel the questions he was holding back.

Once they were moving, Liam spoke. "You called her."

Isabella exhaled. "Yes."

Liam tapped a finger against his knee. "And?"

"She has a plan."

His posture tensed slightly. ’Of course she does. But at what cost?’

He kept his tone even. "Right."

She turned to him, eyes sharp. "You don’t trust her."

Liam exhaled through his nose. "No."

"Why?"

’Because she plays long games. Because she’s watching you fall into her net, and you don’t even see it.’

But instead of saying any of that, he gave her a sideways glance, a small smirk playing at his lips. "Because she reminds me of you."

That threw her off. "Excuse me?"

Liam chuckled. "Smart. Calculating. Knows exactly when to cash in a favor."

She scoffed. "You make it sound like a compliment."

"Maybe it is." He glanced out the window. "Just don’t forget—when people like that give, they expect twice as much back."

Isabella held his gaze for a moment before looking away. She didn’t argue.

The car pulled onto the road, the city lights casting long shadows as they drove into the night. In the distance, the skyline glittered like a constellation of human ambition, each light representing deals, dreams, and dangers.

After several minutes of silence, Isabella leaned forward. "Marcus, let’s drop Liam off first."

Marcus nodded. "Yes, ma’am."

Liam glanced at her. "You don’t need to do that."

"It’s on the way," she replied simply.

He studied her for a moment, then nodded. The car turned onto a quieter street lined with brownstones, a neighborhood that balanced comfort with security. Marcus pulled up outside a well-maintained building with a small security desk visible through the glass entrance.

"Do you want to tell me what she’s planning?" Liam asked, his voice low enough that Marcus couldn’t hear.

Isabella stared out the window. "A partnership. Something high-profile enough to make the board reconsider their oversight push."

"And the cost?"

She frowned. "A favor. Unspecified."

Liam shook his head slightly. "That’s a blank check, Isabella."

"I know what I’m doing."

"Do you?"

Her head snapped toward him, eyes flashing. "You’re crossing a line, Liam."

He held her gaze for a moment before looking away. "Someone needs to."

The car came to a stop in front of his building. Liam reached for the door handle but paused.

"I appreciate your concern," she said, her voice softer than before. "But this is my company. My decision."

Liam’s grip tightened on the door handle. ’She thinks she’s still in control. Hope she’s right.’

Because if she wasn’t, this deal with Seraphina would cost more than she realized.

"Seven tomorrow morning?" he asked, one foot already out the door.

Isabella nodded. "I’ll send Marcus."

Liam stepped out of the car, then leaned back in. "Good night, Isabella."

"Good night."

He closed the door, and Marcus pulled the car away from the curb. Liam stood watching until the taillights disappeared around the corner. Then he turned and headed inside, his mind full of concerns he couldn’t voice.

In the car, Isabella leaned back against the seat, finally alone with her thoughts. "Home, Marcus."

"Yes, ma’am."

As they drove through the city streets, her mind was already racing with possibilities and contingencies.

A partnership. A distraction. A solution.

She just hoped it wouldn’t become another problem.