Chapter 150

Nathaniel's anger still simmered as they drove away from InnovaTech.

A sudden thought struck him. He turned to Isabella. "That woman in the navy suit standing behind Victoria - she was staring at you oddly. Do you know her?"

"Victoria's cousin," Isabella replied flatly.

Nathaniel's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "First Alexander brings Victoria into InnovaTech, now he's hiring her relatives too? At this rate, the company will be renamed Kensington Enterprises by next quarter."

Isabella shared his sentiment but only hummed in response. Given Alexander's obsession with Victoria, she wouldn't put it past him to sign over the entire company. Letting the Kensington clan infiltrate InnovaTech was child's play compared to that.

Nathaniel changed the subject before his blood pressure spiked further.

That evening, they worked late into the night at Nathaniel's lab, replicating the specs for Alexander's autonomous vehicle prototype.

Snow began falling during their drive home.

Isabella was reaching for her bathrobe when her phone buzzed. Alexander's name flashed on the screen.

She let it ring out, gathered her toiletries, and stepped into the shower.

Two missed calls and one text waited when she emerged: "Sophia has parent-teacher conference tomorrow."

Isabella typed a terse reply: "Not available." She set the phone aside without another thought.

Across town, Alexander was reviewing contracts while Sophia played games on her tablet. The girl's face lit up when she saw Isabella's response.

"Daddy! Mom can't come tomorrow! Can we ask Victoria instead?"

Alexander didn't look up from his documents. "Hmm."

Sophia bounced on the couch, waving her arms. "Yes! This is perfect!"

"I'll be attending too," Alexander added.

Sophia grinned. "Obviously. Where Victoria goes, you follow."

The next afternoon at YodaVision, Isabella was deep in discussion with Dominic when her phone chimed.

A message from Sophia's teacher: "Mrs. Whitmore, will you be attending today's conference?"

Isabella replied: "Occupied with work. Unable to attend."

Minutes later, another message arrived with a photo attachment: "Mr. Whitmore attended with another woman today..."

The image showed Alexander and Victoria seated together, Sophia clinging to Victoria's arm. Isabella felt nothing. This was exactly what Sophia had wanted - Victoria playing mother while she stayed away. And Alexander would never let Victoria go alone.

Though the teacher seemed concerned, Isabella simply responded: "Aware of the situation. No issue. Thank you, Ms. Moore." She set her phone down and refocused on her work.

The week passed in a blur of meetings and prototypes. Before she knew it, Friday morning arrived.

She'd barely finished her coffee when Julian called. "Lily wants to go camping overnight. You in?"

Isabella paused. "Full overnight setup?"

"Already handled," Julian assured her. "Security, gear, provisions - all arranged. Just bring yourself."