Chapter 395

Avery finally caved to Joseph's request and shot a message to Isabella, setting up a meet at a coffee shop for tomorrow at noon.

[Cool, see you then.] Isabella texted back before diving back into her work.

"All set, she's coming tomorrow," Avery told Joseph.

"Awesome, thanks a ton, Avery!" Joseph shouted, leaping off the couch to give her a big hug.

"I'm gonna go figure out what to wear," Joseph said, practically sprinting upstairs.

Avery watched him disappear up the stairs and sighed. "Guys can be so clueless sometimes."

The next day at noon, Isabella showed up at the coffee shop with her bodyguard in tow.

The bodyguard stayed outside while Isabella grabbed a seat by the window. Not long after, Avery and Joseph walked in.

Isabella's eyes widened a bit when she saw Joseph, but she quickly masked her surprise.

"Hey, Avery, Joseph, good afternoon," Isabella greeted them.

"Hey there, Isabella, or should I say the endorsement queen now," Avery teased as she sat down.

Isabella cringed a little. "Please, don't call me that. It's super embarrassing."

"I think it fits you perfectly. You're stunning and graceful, just like a top model. Having you as the face of the company is a genius move," Joseph gushed.

Suddenly, Joseph winced as Avery stepped on his foot under the table.

Avery shot him a look that said it all. Years of friendship had made their silent communication flawless. Joseph got the message loud and clear.

'Shut up, you idiot! Can't you see you're making her uncomfortable?' Avery's eyes screamed.

Joseph clammed up immediately.

Isabella fiddled with her coffee cup, a telltale sign she was feeling awkward.

"Avery, you didn't just come here to call me a goddess, did you?" Isabella smiled, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

Avery glanced at Joseph, feeling a bit awkward. She was just the go-between; Joseph had the real reason for the meet.

"My sister's here to talk business," Joseph jumped in smoothly, breaking the tension. "With you being a CEO and her having a bunch of companies, there might be some room for collaboration."

Isabella paused, not expecting a business pitch. She thought about Avery's companies and frowned a bit.

"The three companies I run don't really overlap with yours, and I don't see any obvious opportunities for collaboration," Isabella said, puzzled.

Isabella's businesses were in fashion, food and beverage, and software development. Avery's were all about real estate, so there didn't seem to be any common ground.

Avery switched gears. "I'm thinking about starting a new company, but I'm still figuring out the details. I'm leaning towards the food and beverage industry, maybe opening a unique restaurant. I'd love to get your take on it."

Isabella thought for a moment. Right now, her focus was on fashion, food and beverage, and cosmetics. The two companies she inherited from Jasper were barely staying afloat. Despite some financial backing, they were just breaking even, no profits in sight.

Isabella planned to fully develop her fashion business before using the profits to expand the other two companies.

"Sorry, Avery. It's not that I don't want to help, but my food and beverage business isn't exactly booming. I don't have much experience in that area," Isabella said with a rueful smile.

Avery nodded, brushing it off. "No worries, I get that your focus isn't on food and beverage right now. I just wanted to throw it out there. Maybe we can team up in the future when you're ready."

As Avery finished talking, she felt something nudge her foot. Looking down, she realized it was Joseph's foot.

Catching her eye, Joseph gave her a subtle look that said it was time for her to leave - he wanted to talk to Isabella alone.

"Isabella, why don't you stay and chat with Joseph?" Avery rolled her eyes. "I need to hit the restroom."

With that, she got up and walked away.

After Avery left, Joseph let out a sigh of relief, but Isabella felt a bit uneasy.

Isabella wasn't naive; if Avery really wanted to discuss business, she wouldn't have brought Joseph along.

"Isabella, there's something I need to tell you," Joseph said earnestly.

Isabella looked at Joseph quietly. Since she couldn't avoid it, she decided to be straightforward.

She reached into her bag and pulled out a ring.

Not the one Mason gave her, but the pink diamond ring from Michael.

Because this ring was so precious, Isabella rarely wore it, saving it for special occasions and public events.

When Joseph saw Isabella put the ring on her finger, he seemed to understand, but the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.

"Joseph, are you saying you like me?" Isabella asked calmly.

Joseph felt like his heart was being squeezed, it was really uncomfortable.

"If I say yes, would you believe me?" Joseph asked with a pained smile.

Isabella nodded. "I believe you. Look into my eyes, I've seen it before."

Joseph was taken aback for a moment but then got a bit hopeful. "Where did you see it?"

Joseph thought Isabella was talking about when they first met.

But what Isabella said next made Joseph feel a chill.

"I saw it in my husband's eyes. Every time he looked at me, it was the same way you look at me, but his love was stronger," Isabella said calmly.

Joseph's hands trembled as he struggled to speak. "You know what? I've had feelings for you since we were kids. Finding out about your engagement to John while I was away... it crushed me."