Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 61: Unexpected call

Chapter 61: Unexpected call

Isabella woke to the soft glow of dawn filtering through her bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows. For a moment, she remained perfectly still, conscious of Liam’s arm draped across her waist, his steady breathing warm against her neck. These quiet moments were rare—unguarded, without the careful performances they maintained in public.

She turned slightly, studying his face in repose. Sleep softened his features, erasing the sharp focus and calculation that defined him in the boardroom. A year of clandestine meetings, and still she found herself memorizing the details: the slight crease between his brows, the shadow of stubble along his jaw, the way his dark lashes rested against his cheeks.

Liam stirred, his eyes opening slowly. When he saw her watching him, a sleepy smile spread across his face.

"Morning," he murmured, voice rough with sleep. His hand moved to her hip, thumb tracing idle circles on her skin.

"Morning," she replied, allowing herself to sink into his touch for a moment longer.

The peaceful bubble burst with the jarring ring of her phone. Isabella reached for it instinctively, checking the caller ID.

"Marcus," she said, sitting up and pulling the sheet around her. "I need to take this."

Liam’s hand fell away, and something shifted in his expression—a subtle retreat.

"Isabella," Marcus’s voice came through the speaker, crisp and professional. "I hope I’m not disturbing."

"Not at all," she replied, her voice transforming into the assured tones of CEO Isabella Ashworth. "What’s the update?"

"The Davies Tech team reached out. They want to move forward with the preliminary negotiations today. Samuel Davies is personally requesting your presence at their headquarters at eleven."

Isabella’s pulse quickened. "Today? That’s... sooner than expected."

"Apparently, Davies doesn’t like to wait. His assistant mentioned they’ve canceled three meetings to accommodate us."

"I see." Isabella’s mind raced through the implications. "Tell them I’ll be there. Send me the details."

"Already done. And Isabella? Davies has a reputation. Be prepared."

"I always am," she replied, ending the call.

When she turned back to Liam, he was sitting up, watching her with an unreadable expression.

"Davies Tech is moving faster than anticipated," she explained, rising from the bed. "I need to shower and prepare."

Liam nodded, his eyes following her as she moved across the room. "So we’re back to business as usual."

It wasn’t quite a question, but Isabella heard the underlying inquiry. She paused at the bathroom door, looking back at him.

"Last night was..." She searched for the right words.

"Inevitable?" Liam suggested, a hint of challenge in his voice.

"Complicated," she finally said.

He held her gaze for a long moment before nodding. "It always is."

Twenty minutes later, Isabella emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a plush robe, her hair still damp. Chef maria had made coffee, and the rich aroma filled the apartment. Liam stood at the kitchen island, dressed in his pants from the night before and his unbuttoned shirt, looking at something on his phone.

"Coffee?" he offered, sliding a mug across the counter.

"Thank you." She accepted it gratefully, taking a sip before setting it down. "I need to be at Davies Tech headquarters by eleven."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "And you’re certain about this? Davies has a reputation for being... ruthless."

Isabella moved to her closet, selecting a tailored navy suit. "Which is exactly why this partnership could be transformative for Ashworth Events. We need their technological innovation, and they need our elite client base and event expertise."

She dressed efficiently, aware of Liam’s gaze on her.

"There’s more to it than that," he said, watching her button her silk blouse. "What aren’t you telling me?"

Isabella hesitated, then sighed. "Davies Tech is preparing for a major product launch. They’ve been developing an immersive experience platform—think virtual reality, but far more advanced. It creates personalized luxury experiences that blur the line between digital and physical worlds."

"And they want Ashworth to handle the launch events."

"Not just handle them—integrate with them. They want to use our events as showcases for their technology." She stepped into her heels, instantly gaining three inches of height. "It’s not just a one-time deal. If this works, it means global expansion for us."

Liam’s expression grew serious. "And for Davies, it means instant access to the most exclusive client list in the industry."

"Exactly." Isabella moved to the mirror to apply her makeup with practiced precision. "Samuel Davies didn’t build his empire by playing nice. He sees opportunities and exploits them."

"And you think you can outmaneuver him?"

Isabella met his eyes in the mirror. "I know I can."

Liam approached, standing close behind her. "Isabella, this isn’t just about the fake partnership anymore. This is real negotiation with one of the most cutthroat executives in the industry."

"I’m aware of the risks." She turned to face him, her expression determined. "But the potential reward is worth it. Ashworth Events could become a global technology-luxury hybrid. We’d be untouchable."

"Or Davies could learn everything about our operation and then cut us out entirely," Liam countered.

Isabella smiled thinly. "He can try."

Liam’s hand came up to touch her cheek, a gesture too intimate for their usual professional relationship. "Just be careful. Samuel Davies didn’t get where he is by playing fair."

"Neither did I," she replied softly.

They stood there for a moment, the air charged between them. Then Isabella stepped back, breaking the connection.

"I need to eat something before I leave," she said, moving toward the kitchen. "There’s eggs and toast if you want some."

Liam followed, accepting the subtle shift back to pragmatism. As Isabella assembled a quick breakfast, he leaned against the counter.

"What’s your strategy with Davies?" he asked, accepting a plate from her.

"I’m going to let him think he has the upper hand," she replied, spreading jam on her toast. "Let him believe I’m desperate for this deal after the board meeting debacle."

"And then?"

"And then I’m going to reveal that I know exactly what he needs from us." She took a bite of toast, chewing thoughtfully. "Davies Tech has the technology, but they lack the human touch. Their previous product launches have been technological marvels but social disasters. No one wants to feel like they’re at a clinical product demonstration."

Liam nodded slowly. "And Ashworth Events specializes in making people feel special."

"Precisely." Isabella sipped her coffee. "More importantly, we have relationships with the exact clientele Davies needs to impress. Old money, new tech billionaires, celebrities, royalty—people who want exclusive experiences and are willing to pay premium prices for them."

"It’s a solid position," Liam admitted. "But Davies won’t give up control easily."

Isabella’s phone buzzed with an incoming message. She checked it, her expression hardening.

"Marcus sent the initial terms. Davies is already trying to position this as an acquisition rather than a partnership." She looked up at Liam, her eyes flashing with determination. "He thinks he’s dealing with a desperate company on the brink of financial oversight."

"Aren’t we?" Liam asked quietly.

Isabella smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Not after today we won’t be."

She finished her breakfast quickly, gathering her portfolio and checking her appearance one final time. At the door, she paused, turning back to Liam.

"About last night..." she began.

Liam stepped closer, his expression serious. "We don’t need to label it."

"No," she agreed. "But we do need to be smart about it."

"When have we ever not been?" He reached out, adjusting her collar slightly. "Go show Davies what you’re made of. I’ll clean up here."

Isabella nodded, a moment of vulnerability crossing her face before her professional mask slid back into place.

"Tonight," she said, her voice low. "Come back tonight. We’ll celebrate my victory over Davies."

Liam’s smile was slow and knowing. "Confident, aren’t you?"

"Always," she replied, and with a final look that carried all the weight of their complicated relationship, she stepped out into the hallway, transforming completely into the formidable CEO of Ashworth Luxury Events—ready to face Samuel Davies and whatever challenges lay ahead.

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