MICHAEL WEST'S JOURNEY FROM TORMENT TO TRIUMPH

STEVEN'S EYES FELL ON ISABELLA

A Lamborghini Urus drove to the front of the Donald's apartment as Michael left the front door. The car stopped in front of them and that was when he noticed that Mia had left them for a moment. 

She came out of the car and opened the door. 

Michael turned around to look at Isabella who was standing next to him. She too had come to a stop as her eyes met with the confused look on his face. 

Her lips curved into a gentle smile. "I would like to show my gratitude in full if you would allow me." 

"And what exactly do you have in mind?" Michael raised a curious brow. 

"Allow Mia to drop you at your home. Where do you stay?" 

Michael felt a little ashamed to admit it but he didn't have any home in the whole of Beaumont city. With his divorce from his wife, he had nowhere to return to at the end of the day. "I don't... I don't have a place." 

"Oh..." She muttered. She gave him a gentle smile. "So where were you going?" 

"I was going to find a hotel nearby to stay for a while." 

"Then you're just in luck." She said with a smile. "The Donald family owns most of the best hotels in the whole of Beaumont city. I'll take you to one and provide you with the best accommodation." 

Michael gave her a smile and walked into the car. As they drove out of the gate, they saw a young man standing at the gate with the security. 

Michael squinted his eyes to get a better look and just as he had doubted, it was the son of the 

George family that was standing there with the security guard. 

He dipped his hand into the pocket of his pants and took out a few hundred dollars. "Here, tell Mr Donald that Liam 

George is here to see him, just tell him my name and he'll let me in immediately." 

The security guard accepted the money with a wide smile on my face. "Of course, just wait a moment."

The man rushed into the building and only a few seconds later, he ran back out and allowed Liam to drive in. 

Liam nodded with a smile and got back into his car and put it into the ignition. 

Michael peered into the car as the beautiful young woman at the passenger seat caught his eyes. He would have called it a striking resemblance to his wife if it was someone's else's car but having the fact that it was Liam' car, then it most definitely was her. 

"Who are they?" Mia asked as she stared at them. 

Isabella on the other hand felt no reason to care about them or why they had come visiting her father. His visitors were his and his alone. "Ignore them, having the fact that my father gave them permission to go in then they must have business. Let's go." 

Mia nodded her head and started the engine. They drove out of the compound.

Meanwhile, Clara heaved a sigh as she relaxed into the backseat. She had lost her only shot at increasing her company's growth when Mr Brian called off the contract but Liam had promised her a greater partnership with none other than the richest family in Beaumont city. 

"Are you sure Mr Donald will be able to help me?" Clara asked Liam as he got into the car. 

Liam let out a soft chuckle. "This is one of the richest families in the entire city we are talking about, you don't have to worry about anything, I am here and I promise to do all I can to help you and your company. No matter what, I won't stop trying.

"Look behind you, there's a magic drink in that bottle you see lying on the chair. Mr Donald's daughter has been I'll for a long time with no doctor being able to cure her. Giving him that will be a good start for you." 

Clara gave him a warm smile. She really did feel comforted and grateful to Liam, he seemed to be proving himself as a great asset to her in contrast to Michael who did nothing but destroy her only hope of greatness with Mr Brian. 

As Isabella's car drove past theirs, she couldn't help but to give it a second glance as the face at the back seat caught her eyes. 

She couldn't hide the surprise in her eyes as she watched the car drive off and this didn't get past Liam eyes. 

"Clara, are you okay? Is something wrong?" He questioned as he shot her with her confused glance. 

She couldn't hold back a distorted chuckle. "I must be seeing things because it looked like I just saw Michael in the backseat of that car that just drove out."

Liam broke into a hoarse laughter. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh so much." He apologized still with a wide smile on his face. "But this is the home of the Donalds, if I may remind you, the richest family in the city and not a public playground. How would your ragged ex husband be able to find his way into such a place?" 

"Right?" Clara asked him. She let off a little tension as she relaxed into her seat. It must have been nothing more than a slight resemblance since she didn't really get a good look of the man's face after all. 

★

Mia stopped in front of a luxurious looking building which from the look of it had at least two hundred floors. As they stepped out of the car, they were greeted by two golden lion statues carved beautifully at the entrance of the place. 

A beautiful receptionist tended to them as Isabella made reservations for Michael to stay. 

She returned later and handed him a golden card. "This is the key to your apartment, I have reserved the penthouse suite for you for two years." 

"Two years?" Michael's eyes widened. "That is too much, I'm only here for a few days since that is when your father's shipment will arrive." 

"I know but I want to do this as a part of my thanks for saving my life. You can come back here anytime you wish even after you move out to your own place, it can be yours even longer if you wish but you just have to tell me first." A big smile played on her face as she explained. 

Michael was beyond grateful as he accepted the card from her hand. 

"That last over there is Natasha," Isabella said as she pointed to the lady receptionist at the counter. "She will help you with everything you might ever need, food, drinks, clothes, whatever it is you might need, just go to her." 

Michael nodded his head with a smile of gratitude on his face. He was never one to not show a sign of gratitude when needed. 

She handed another card to him except this one was a black card. 

"And this is for?" Michael questioned. 

"You can buy whatever you want with this card. Any expenses you have at all, you can make payments with this." 

"Is this also a part of your gratitude?" 

"This is just me giving a gift to my new friend which I hope you consider me as one as well." She beamed at him as she stretched out the card to him. 

Michael accepted the card in response to her question and she let out a soft giggle. 

The irony caused a bitter smile to work its way up his lips. He was married to Clara for three good years and not even once did she give him anything, instead she and her family took from him.

Yet he had only met Isabella that very day and she had given him more than enough. 

"You bastard!" A loud voice screamed out from behind them. 

Michael peered behind Isabella and saw an angry 

Steven approaching him. "Stay where you f*cking are! You think you can f*cking escape after ruining things for my sister?" He growled ferociously. 

Michael's words came out as calm as the breeze. "Mr Brian only canceled his contract with your sister after knowing what kind of person she was. She just wasn't compatible enough for him anymore." 

"I don't give a f*ck what you say! I'm going to beat your ass up right here and right now!" 

Steven yelled out angrily as he started towards Michael. 

Before he could get any closer, Isabella barricaded his path to Michael, standing between the both of them. Flame burnt through her gaze as she lashed out at 

Steven. "Mr man! This is a respected property and you best be on your good behavior or I will have the guards throw you out immediately!" 

Steven's eyes fell on Isabella, what a beauty she was and he pictured her lying in his bed,this imagery causing her a dirty grin to work up his face. 

"Aren't you a cute little feisty one." His tone reduced to a hushed manner as he eyed her up and down.