Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 97: The Isolation Game

Chapter 97: The Isolation Game

The door closed behind the security team with a soft click that felt deafening in Isabella’s silent office. She stood motionless, staring at the space Liam had occupied moments before, her expression carved from stone. Only when she was certain she was alone did she allow herself to sink slowly into her chair, the weight of the last hour pressing down on her shoulders.

Her phone buzzed again—Jeremy, for the third time in fifteen minutes. With a controlled breath, she answered.

"Isabella Ashworth."

"Isabella," Jeremy’s voice carried an unusual urgency. "I’ve just spoken with Seraphina. This is worse than we thought. The board needs to be informed immediately."

Isabella traced a finger along the edge of her desk, her voice deliberately measured. "It’s nearly one in the morning, Jeremy. The board doesn’t need to be awakened for this."

"This isn’t just about Campbell’s betrayal," Jeremy pressed. "The potential financial implications—"

"Will still be there in the morning," Isabella interrupted smoothly. "I’ve already taken the necessary immediate steps. Liam is being detained, and the police are involved."

A brief silence, then: "You’ve already called the police? That was... efficient."

Something in his tone caught her attention—disappointment? Surprise? She couldn’t quite place it.

"I’m nothing if not decisive," she replied. "Now, I suggest we all get some rest. We’ll convene with legal first thing in the morning to formulate our approach to the board."

"Isabella, with respect, waiting could be perceived as—"

"My decision is final, Jeremy." The edge in her voice was unmistakable. "Seven AM. My office."

She ended the call without waiting for his response and turned to her computer. Something wasn’t sitting right—a discord in the neat narrative being presented to her. She pulled up the security access logs, scrolling through the timestamps.

Liam’s badge had been used to access the server room at 11:52 PM. Yet his security clearance had been restricted three days ago. It shouldn’t have been possible.

Isabella leaned back, mind working through the implications. Either someone had deliberately restored his access without authorization—or someone wanted him there.

Her private line rang, startling her from her thoughts.

"Ms. Ashworth? This is Peterson from security. The police have arrived for Mr. Campbell."

"Hold them in the lobby for five minutes," she instructed. "I’m coming down."

---

The holding room was spartan—a table, two chairs, and harsh fluorescent lighting that cast unflattering shadows across Liam’s face. He sat with his hands folded before him, outwardly calm despite the chaos raging in his mind.

The door opened unexpectedly, revealing Christina, her face tight with concern and barely contained anger.

"You have two minutes," she said, closing the door behind her. "Security thinks I’m processing paperwork."

"Isabella had me arrested," Liam said, still processing the reality of it.

Christina’s eyes narrowed. "For what?"

"Corporate espionage. Embezzlement. Take your pick." He leaned forward. "It’s a setup, Christina. Seraphina and Jeremy—"

"I know," she cut him off. "Or at least, I suspected. Why do you think I’ve been watching your back since Richard incident?" She glanced at the door. "But Isabella..."

"Has made her choice," Liam finished bitterly.

Christina studied him for a moment. "Has she? Because this doesn’t add up. Isabella doesn’t make emotional decisions, especially not with the company at stake."

"She believes I betrayed her."

"Does she?" Christina challenged. "Or is that what she wants everyone to think?"

Before Liam could respond, the door opened again. A security guard stood there, expression stern.

"Ms. Christina, your time is up. The police are here for the prisoner."

Christina straightened, professional mask falling seamlessly into place. "Of course. Just finishing the documentation."

As she gathered her fictitious paperwork, she met Liam’s eyes one last time. "Look for the pattern," she murmured, then walked out without looking back.

---

Isabella intercepted the police officers in the lobby, her CEO persona firmly in place despite the late hour.

"Detective Diana, thank you for coming so quickly," she greeted the lead officer, a woman in her forties with shrewd eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor.

"Ms. Ashworth. We received reports of corporate espionage?"

Isabella nodded, guiding the detective slightly away from the security team. "That’s correct. However, there’s been a development I’d like to discuss before you proceed."

Detective Diana raised an eyebrow but followed Isabella to a quiet corner.

"I need a favor, Diana," Isabella said in a low voice, dropping the formality.

The detective’s expression softened slightly. "You’re calling in that marker after all these years? Must be serious."

"It is. I need you to take him into custody—make it look official, processing, the works—but I don’t want charges filed yet. And I need a full forensic analysis of this." She discreetly passed over a small evidence bag containing a USB drive.

Detective Diana took it, expression professional once more. "The one he supposedly used?"

"No. That one is with my head of security. This is mine—it contains what I believe are the original financial records, unaltered. I need to know if they match what was on his drive."

"You don’t think he’s guilty," Diana observed.

Isabella maintained her neutral expression. "What I think is irrelevant. I need facts."

"This isn’t exactly protocol."

"Neither was me testifying against my father’s friend fifteen years ago to save your career," Isabella reminded her quietly. "I never asked for anything in return."

Diana sighed. "Twenty-four hours. That’s all I can give you without processing him officially."

"That’s all I need."

---

Upstairs, Seraphina found Isabella’s office empty. She casually scanned the desk, noting the open security logs on the computer screen. Her phone buzzed with a text from Jeremy: *"Board meeting delayed until morning. She’s being difficult."*

Seraphina smiled slightly. Difficult was expected. Unpredictable would have been concerning.

She typed back: *"Maintaining the timeline. Davies meeting still set for 9AM. She’ll have no choice by then."*

---

When Isabella returned to her office, she found Christina waiting for her, arms crossed and expression unyielding.

"You had Liam arrested," Christina stated flatly.

Isabella closed the door, engaging the privacy lock. "I’m not discussing personnel matters at one in the morning."

"Cut the corporate bullshit, Isabella. I’ve worked with you for six years. With him for two. Neither of us believes he’s guilty."

Isabella’s mask slipped momentarily, revealing bone-deep exhaustion. "What you believe doesn’t change the evidence."

"Evidence can be fabricated," Christina countered. "You taught me that."

"And doubts can be manufactured," Isabella replied, moving to her desk. "Trust is a luxury we can’t afford right now."

Christina watched her carefully. "Is that why you’re letting your closest ally take the fall? Or is there something else happening here?"

Christina hesitated, then asked, "Is Marcus informed about this situation?"

"No," Isabella replied firmly. "I’ll tell him—but not tonight. Not until I understand exactly what we’re dealing with."

Isabella didn’t answer immediately, instead pulling up an email on her computer. "The Davies meeting has been moved up to nine tomorrow morning. Their legal team wants the final integration documents signed before markets open Monday."

"That’s suspicious timing."

"Is it?" Isabella asked, voice neutral. "Or is it the logical conclusion to months of negotiation?"

Christina stepped closer to the desk. "Isabella, if Liam’s right about Seraphina and Jeremy—"

"Then I’ve already lost," Isabella finished. "Unless I can prove otherwise before that meeting." She finally looked up, meeting Christina’s concerned gaze. "Which is why I need you focused on your job, not on defending Liam."

"My job is to protect this company’s interests," Christina replied firmly. "Including from threats within."

Isabella studied her for a long moment. "You were always good at reading between the lines." She typed a command, bringing up surveillance footage of the server room. "Notice anything?"

Christina leaned forward, watching the silent footage of Liam entering the room, finding the computer, then Seraphina appearing after the lights came on.

"The camera angle changes," she observed. "There’s a blind spot for about twenty seconds before Seraphina appears."

Isabella nodded. "Long enough for someone to position themselves out of frame."

"She was already there," Christina realized. "Waiting for him."

"Perhaps." Isabella closed the footage. "But speculation won’t save Ashworth Enterprises from what’s coming."

Christina straightened. "What do you need me to do?"

"Your job," Isabella replied simply. "And trust my process, even when it looks like I’ve lost my way."

"And Liam?"

Isabella’s expression hardened once more. "Mr. Campbell made his choices. Now we all live with the consequences."

As Christina turned to leave, Isabella added softly, "The chess pieces are in motion, Christina. Be very careful which board you’re playing on."

Alone again, Isabella pulled out her personal phone and typed a message to an unlisted contact: *"Analysis underway. Watch Diana. Trust no one until you hear ’Capulet.’"*

Outside her office window, the city lights blurred against the darkness of night, much like the lines between allies and enemies within her company. Monday morning loomed less than eight hours away, bringing with it either salvation or destruction.

The isolation game had begun. And Isabella intended to win, even if victory meant standing completely alone.