Chapter 296

Alexander was furious.

He completely ignored Victoria's presence, turning his attention solely to Isabella. "Let's go, Isabella. I'm taking you to dinner."

Isabella placed her teacup down and rose gracefully. "Alright."

Without another glance at Victoria, Alexander escorted Isabella out.

Victoria remained seated on the sofa, sipping her tea with practiced calm. She didn't attempt to follow them or protest their departure.

Margaret watched them leave, her expression troubled. "This—"

Victoria interrupted smoothly. "It's fine. Time will handle it."

In other words, given enough time, Alexander would eventually accept reality—and by extension, her?

Alexander had witnessed the state of Isabella and Victoria's marriage in its early years. He'd seen firsthand how little regard Victoria had for Isabella. Now, Victoria had someone else she cherished.

Though Victoria had always maintained good relations with elders like Eleanor and Charles, she wasn't one to be swayed by their opinions. Even if they disapproved of her relationship with Victoria, there was little they could do to change her mind.

As angry as Charles was, he could only seethe silently.

Sighing, Charles patted Isabella's hand gently. "These past few years... I'm sorry."

Isabella understood his unspoken sympathy. She offered a soft smile. "I've moved on. I have a new life now, and I'm doing well. You don't need to worry about me, Mr. Montgomery."

Charles nodded, relieved. "Good. That's good."

After lunch, when Isabella brought Charles back to his estate, Victoria and her companion were already gone.

Perhaps they hadn't even bothered to check on Sophia after leaving—because as Isabella was departing, her phone rang with Sophia's name flashing on the screen. She glanced at it but didn't answer.

That evening, when Isabella returned to the Sinclair residence for dinner, she spotted an elegant invitation envelope on the coffee table.

Opening it, she found it was for Eleanor Whitmore's 75th birthday celebration.

Technically, Eleanor's actual birthday was still some time away. But years ago, a fortune teller had warned her against holding any major celebrations for the next decade, lest she invite a life-threatening calamity.

Eleanor had taken the warning seriously. For the past ten years, she'd only marked her birthday with quiet family gatherings—never a proper banquet.

Now that the decade had passed, Richard, Victoria, and the others had decided to throw her a grand party this year.

That was likely why, despite the event still being weeks away, invitations were already being sent out.

Margaret emerged from her room and noticed the invitation in Isabella's hand. "It just arrived today."

Isabella nodded. "I see."

Margaret hesitated. "This is her first proper birthday celebration in ten years. Under normal circumstances, we'd attend without question, but..."

But given the current tension between Isabella and Victoria, it felt inappropriate.

And truthfully, neither of them wanted to go.

Isabella understood Margaret's unspoken thoughts perfectly—she felt the same.

Besides, Victoria had already brought her companion to the estate. Who was to say she wouldn't bring her to the party as well, especially if Eleanor pressured her?

Isabella set the invitation aside for now.

After dinner with the Sinclair family, she returned to her own apartment.

Monday morning found her back at work at YodaVision as usual.

When work consumed her, time flew. Before she knew it, Thursday had arrived again.