Chapter 154

Alexander didn't glance at Isabella. He gently tapped Sophia's nose. "I'm occupied, sweetheart. Be good and stay with Mommy, alright?"

"Fine," Sophia replied indifferently. She shot Isabella a look before walking over. Then she extended her hand, waiting for Isabella to take it.

This was her way of offering an olive branch.

Isabella grasped her daughter's hand, exchanged brief pleasantries with Richard, and left.

When they arrived at the Sinclair residence, Eleanor had already been waiting.

Noticing Alexander's absence, Eleanor frowned. "Where's Alexander? Too busy again?"

"Yes," Isabella confirmed.

Eleanor angrily pulled out her phone to call him. Meanwhile, Margaret saw no reason for Alexander to be present, knowing the divorce was imminent.

"Work keeps him tied up," Margaret intervened, stopping Eleanor. "No need to force him."

Sophia and Edward went upstairs to play video games.

Isabella settled into conversation with both Margaret and Eleanor.

Eleanor was thoroughly impressed by Margaret's two new art pieces. Learning they were created using the exquisite scholar's writing set Isabella had gifted Margaret for her birthday, Eleanor's interest peaked.

Upon examining the writing set herself, Eleanor marveled, "And Alexander? Surely he didn't forget your birthday present?"

"He did get me something."

Though Margaret's expression darkened at the mention of Alexander, she admitted, "An exquisite emerald jewelry set. The embroidery painting he delivered on your behalf was equally remarkable."

Eleanor chuckled. "That's more like it. At least he listened to me."

Isabella remained silent during their exchange.

After some time in the study, Eleanor and Margaret moved to the courtyard for tea.

Margaret gazed at the neighboring house. "Isn't it odd how the renovations suddenly stopped? They were working around the clock before. I assumed the owners were in a hurry to move in."

Eleanor smiled. "Perhaps circumstances changed."

"Perhaps."

Isabella had considered selling the property but feared it might fall into Kensington or Sinclair hands.

So she left it untouched.

With the Kensingtons involved, she had no desire to inspect the house either.

It remained in limbo.

Suddenly, Isabella sneezed, a chill running down her spine.

"Are you unwell?" both women asked simultaneously. "Coming down with something?"

Isabella grabbed a tissue. "Possibly."

She'd likely caught the same bug as Lily, though her symptoms were milder.

Margaret and Eleanor had been friends for decades.

Yet Eleanor knew nothing about the birthday party incident or Alexander's involvement with Victoria.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly between various topics.

Moments later, Emily called, reporting she'd spotted Alexander dining with the Kensingtons - again.

"Why does this always happen to me? I don't want these discoveries!" Emily exclaimed.

She asked Isabella's whereabouts.

"At Grandmother's."

"You went alone?"

"No, Mrs. Whitmore Senior is with me."

Understanding dawned. "So instead of being with you, Alexander is entertaining Victoria's family?"