Chapter 227

Alexander's phone buzzed the moment he and Sophia stepped into the mansion.

He answered immediately.

After a brief conversation, he slipped his coat back on. "Grandmother Eleanor had a fall," he told Sophia, who was heading upstairs. "She's at Baumond Hospital. I'm going now. You should rest."

Sophia's face paled. "I want to come too—"

"School tomorrow," Alexander cut in gently. "Visit after class."

Sophia nodded reluctantly.

As Alexander turned to leave, Sophia's phone pinged. Her heart leaped as she checked it.

Just another spam message. She sighed.

Earlier, she'd tried calling Isabella about that mysterious woman at the mall. No answer.

For a split second, she'd hoped this message was from Isabella. No such luck.

Still... if Isabella had time for Christmas shopping, she would've invited Sophia along.

Must've been mistaken.

An hour later at Baumond Orthopedic, Alexander reviewed the scans with the doctors.

Eleanor had fractured her femur. Surgery was necessary, but not immediately.

They needed to stabilize her first.

Most Whitmores were traveling. Only Richard Thornton, Eleanor's caretaker Margaret, and Alexander were present.

Richard had already notified the family.

When Alexander entered the room, Eleanor turned her face away.

He pulled up a chair. "Still angry?"

This stemmed from his recent business decisions favoring the Graves over the Kensingtons. Eleanor hadn't taken his calls since.

Silence.

"What do you want me to do?" Alexander finally asked.

Eleanor opened her eyes. "You know."

He did. "Consider it handled tomorrow." Meaning cutting ties with the Kensingtons and reclaiming their projects.

"And?"

Alexander's jaw tightened. "Grandmother—"

Eleanor closed her eyes again.

He didn't press further.

"Go," Eleanor murmured later.

Instead of leaving, Alexander adjusted her blankets.

When the doctor returned, he confirmed surgery could proceed in two days. Low-risk procedure. With rehab, Eleanor should walk with assistance within a month.

In the hallway, Richard glanced back at Eleanor. "She wants to see Mrs. Whitmore but won't let me call her."

Eleanor felt too guilty to ask Isabella to visit after everything.

Alexander nodded. "Understood."

Richard returned to the room without another word.