Dominic treated her with the utmost respect, giving her a seat at the table during executive meetings and encouraging her to trust her instincts. Isabella saved every penny she earned and quietly began looking for a small apartment of her own, waiting for the right moment to leave.
The breaking point came on a sweltering Sunday when Philip threw a massive party to show off a new sound system he had installed around the pool. Isabella prepared a stunning array of blackened shrimp with a mango glaze, herb-crusted potatoes, and a savory wild mushroom tart that left the guests speechless.
“Philip, you have absolutely outdone yourself this time because this food is legendary,” one of his friends shouted while stuffing his face. Philip puffed out his chest and laughed, telling everyone that the house wouldn’t even function if he wasn’t there to save the day.
Dominic sat in his usual spot and watched the scene unfold with a look of quiet disgust. Philip, fueled by several cocktails, decided to take the insult even further than usual. “Honestly, Isabella is really only qualified for the cleanup crew, and if you liked the food today, you can thank my superior grilling skills,” he bragged.