Chapter 500

Nolan's intentions for inviting her were obvious.

He still wasn't over her and wanted to use their past relationship to get her to compromise and become his girlfriend.

But she never liked him in the first place.

She had made her rejection clear long ago, yet Nolan still pulled this stunt. She truly couldn't understand what he was thinking.

They couldn't even be friends anymore.

Did he really want to erode the last bit of their friendship?

What Isabella didn't expect was that even after she said all that, Nolan still wouldn't let her go.

He continued speaking to her in the same tone as before, as if the events of the past few months hadn't affected him at all.

"Isabella, you never used to say no when I asked you out. I just want to see you. If you don't like the place I picked, you can choose. Anywhere is fine. I just want to see you again. Didn't you say you'd seriously think about your feelings for me?"

Nolan's voice was gentle, with a hint of tenderness. His last sentence even sounded like he was accusing Isabella of going back on her word.

Isabella had seen through his tactics long ago.

The next second, her cold voice broke through his fantasy over the phone.

"Nolan, enough. Out of respect for our past, I don't want to argue with you anymore. But if you keep bothering me, don't blame me for being rude!"

Just thinking about the things Nolan had said to her last time made Isabella tremble with anger.

Back then, she said she would consider it just to avoid hurting his pride.

But what did her kindness bring?

She never imagined that the Nolan she once thought understood her, cared for her, and treated her like a brother was all a facade.

From the beginning, Nolan had seen her as a tool to help him climb the ladder.

Remembering the things Nolan had said to her last time only strengthened Isabella's resolve.

She never intended to be with Nolan.

She only saw him as a brother, with no romantic feelings whatsoever.

So this time, she wouldn't believe a word he said.

On the other end of the line, Nolan's voice soon came through, filled with disappointment.

"Isabella, do you really have to talk to me like this? I've never lied to you. My feelings for you have always been real. I've been waiting for you all these years. Why can't you believe me? I truly want to be with you. No matter what obstacles we face, I'm not afraid. I've always wanted you."

Nolan's words seemed to express his sincerity.

But Isabella had already seen his true colors. How could she believe his lies again?

She calmly rejected him once more.

"Nolan, the moment you used our photos to manipulate public opinion, our relationship was over. No matter how many times you say it, it won't change. I don't have romantic feelings for you, and I never will."

Isabella never wasted time on people or things she didn't like.

Even if it was Nolan, whom she once trusted the most, she would rather let go if the feelings had changed.

Nolan fell silent.

After a moment, his voice came through, filled with both pleading and frustration.

"Isabella, why won't you give me a chance? What does Michael have that I don't? Tell me. Michael doesn't love you. Being with him will only bring you pain. But I'm different. I'm sincere about you. If you like his looks, aren't I the best choice for you?"

Nolan couldn't understand why, despite being from the same Brown family and having such similar faces, Isabella only loved Michael.

Didn't he deserve to be loved?

Isabella was speechless.

She never expected Nolan to think she liked Michael just because of his good looks.

As a socialite of the Wilson Group, she had seen all kinds of men. How could she like someone for over a decade just because of their appearance?

In the past, Nolan had restrained himself because she was still Michael's wife. Now that she and Michael were divorced, Nolan didn't even bother to hide his intentions.

Clearly, if she didn't make things clear, Nolan wouldn't give up.

"Nolan, it's true that I'm divorced from Michael. But don't forget, you're still his brother. How do you expect people to talk about me if I marry Michael and then get together with you?"

"Will they call me shameless, or say I seduced his brother right after the divorce? You might be able to handle that, but I can't. So, I will never agree to your pursuit. Give up."

In Isabella's eyes, moral and ethical boundaries were insurmountable.

Not to mention, she saw Aiden as her own grandfather.

If he knew that Nolan not only took Michael's place as the heir but also wanted to take Michael's wife, would he be so angry that he'd fall ill?

Isabella thought she had given the most likely reason for Nolan to agree, but she didn't expect that Nolan never saw this as a problem.

Or rather, he never cared about morality.

"Isabella, you know me. I never care about these things. As long as you agree, I can remove all obstacles for you. Didn't you say you liked me the most? You clearly have feelings for me. Why not be brave and admit it?"

Nolan firmly believed that he and Isabella were the most compatible.

They had shared everything over the years, from hobbies to values. If he lost her, he would never find someone who understood him so well again.

So he was determined to have a happy ending with her.

No matter who tried to stop him.

From Nolan's somewhat agitated voice, Isabella could tell he wasn't absorbing anything she said.

He was completely lost in his own emotions.

Anything she might say now would fall on deaf ears.

Isabella didn't want to continue this conversation. "If you insist on being so stubborn, then we have nothing more to say."

She was about to hang up when Nolan suddenly pleaded over the phone.

"Isabella, please don't be so cold to me. I don't ask for much, just a meal with you today. No other demands, okay?"

Isabella decisively refused.

"No, I think it's better if we don't see each other anymore, considering how things are between us now."

She couldn't bear to destroy her memory of the kind-hearted Nolan who had been there for her so many times when she felt alone and vulnerable.