Chapter 207

Alexander's devotion to Isabella was unquestionable. That moment when he held Victoria must have been some misunderstanding.

Friday morning dawned with Isabella receiving an unexpected call from Margaret. Her grandmother invited her to accompany her to Walter Ashford's art exhibition this Sunday.

Margaret had been an ardent admirer of Walter's work for decades. His last exhibition had been over ten years ago. Not wanting to miss this rare opportunity, Isabella immediately agreed.

The phone rang again before she could set it down. Sophia's name flashed on the screen.

This was the first call from her daughter since Monday's parent-teacher event. Isabella let it go to voicemail.

Saturday evening found her back at the Sinclair estate for family dinner.

Sunday morning arrived with crisp autumn air as Isabella and Margaret headed to the exhibition venue.

Just as Isabella stepped out of the car, Nathaniel's sleek black sedan pulled into the adjacent parking spot.

"Nathaniel?" she called out in surprise.

The tech executive looked equally startled. "Isabella? Mrs. Sinclair? What brings you here?"

Margaret smiled warmly. "I didn't know you appreciated fine art, Nathaniel."

"Truthfully, I'm here on family business," he admitted. "Delivering a gift from the Graves family."

Walter Ashford wasn't just any artist. The Ashford name carried significant weight in elite circles.

Exhibition openings became social battlegrounds - insiders showing support, outsiders scrambling for connections.

Rumors said Walter's shows generated not just record sales, but gifts worth millions. Not that the Ashfords needed the money.

The overwhelming social obligations had driven Walter into artistic seclusion for over a decade.

The Graves family had no need to court Ashford favor either. Though relations had cooled since Nathaniel's father's generation, the patriarchs remained close.

With Walter breaking his long hiatus, Nathaniel's grandfather Alvin had sent him as the family representative.

Running into Isabella and Margaret was an unexpected pleasure.

The venue buzzed with anticipation. Walter's rare exhibitions always drew massive crowds.

Isabella had been too young to attend the last one. Over the years, she'd only heard stories about the legendary events.

Noticing Nathaniel's sudden tension, she touched his arm. "Something wrong?"

He forced a smile. "Nothing. Wait here - I'll park and we'll enter together."

The three-story gallery was already packed when they arrived.

Before they could properly admire the first painting or deliver Nathaniel's gift, they encountered the Kensington and Shaw contingents.

Eleanor and Diana stood chatting with other guests. Their glances toward Isabella's group held no surprise.

Everyone knew Margaret's passion for Walter's work. Of course she wouldn't miss this exhibition after all these years.