Chapter 4
Isabella did not explain immediately.
She asked Massimo for one day.
He gave it to her.
Instead, he turned toward the jewelry business.
The private preview where everything exploded had been organized by Lombardi Atelier, the high-end jewelry house Isabella had worked inside since college.
She was not simply Massimo’s daughter.
She was one of its lead designers.
Her work generated real revenue.
For almost a year, however, she had appeared less often at design meetings.
Grant told everyone she wanted to focus on marriage and Noah.
Massimo had accepted that too.
Now he called the company’s creative director.
“When did Isabella stop attending?”
“Gradually.”
“Why?”
“She said Grant was handling more of her schedule.”
“Did she say that directly?”
A pause.
“Mostly through email.”
Massimo felt the answer before seeing it.
The emails were forwarded.
Some were from Isabella’s account.
Others from Grant.
All repeated similar language.
Isabella needed privacy.
Isabella wanted reduced public visibility.
Isabella did not want the Lombardi name attached as aggressively to her personal design work.
Massimo read the messages carefully.
One stood out.
I need a life where every room doesn’t belong to my father.
The message was from Isabella.
Not Grant.
Massimo recognized her writing style.
He sat back.
His daughter had wanted distance.
Real distance.
The problem was no longer as simple as Grant isolating her.
At some point, Isabella had invited part of the separation.
Then the creative director mentioned something else.
“Vanessa has been handling more collection approvals.”
“Vanessa doesn't work here.”
“She does now.”
Massimo looked up.
Grant had arranged a consulting agreement nine months earlier.
Brand partnerships.
Private collectors.
Event strategy.
Vanessa had access to showroom schedules, client lists, and limited design files.
The contract carried Isabella’s approval.
Massimo checked the signature.
This one appeared genuine.
He closed the file.
Grant and Vanessa had not entered Isabella’s professional life by force.
May you like
They had been invited.
The question was what happened after they got inside.
