Chapter 307

Isabella turned away without another glance, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement as she walked toward her car.

Alexander moved to intercept her, but his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket.

He checked the caller ID and hesitated, watching as Isabella slid into the driver's seat. With a frustrated sigh, he answered the call. Nathaniel had been ready to intervene when he saw Alexander approach, but seeing the man back down, he smirked coldly before joining Isabella in the vehicle.

Nathaniel hadn't caught their entire conversation. As the car pulled away, he asked, "Where did he want to take you?"

Isabella explained about Eleanor Whitmore's upcoming birthday gala.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. The Graves and Whitmore families weren't particularly close, though with such a lavish celebration planned, his family would likely receive an invitation. He simply didn't visit often enough to know these details.

"Smart decision not to go," he nodded. Then his expression darkened. "Didn't he already parade Victoria around the Whitmore estate? He'll probably bring her to the birthday party too." His fingers tapped against the armrest. "So why invite you? Wouldn't your absence make things easier for them?"

The same thought had crossed Isabella's mind. But with Alexander and Victoria now irrelevant to her life, she hadn't dwelled on it.

Nathaniel's eyes narrowed. "Unless... the family didn't approve of Victoria when he introduced her." He turned to study Isabella's profile. "And now he's banking on Grandmother Whitmore's fondness for you. If you give your blessing, they might accept Victoria more readily."

Isabella's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Possibly."

Nathaniel let out a derisive laugh. "No wonder he's suddenly so eager to reconcile. The man's calculations are transparent."

Isabella remained silent, focusing on the road ahead.

Meanwhile, Alexander ended his call with clipped politeness.

Dominic Fairchild lingered nearby. When Alexander pocketed his phone, he ventured, "Was that Ms. Sinclair?"

Alexander offered a tight smile. "Indeed." He gestured toward the street. "Mr. Fairchild, care to join me for lunch?"

Dominic hesitated only briefly before nodding. "Certainly."

Half an hour later, they sat across from each other in an upscale bistro. Alexander swirled his wine glass. "I heard from Mr. Kensington that you'll be discussing a new venture with him soon."

Dominic's expression remained neutral, though internally he noted how closely Alexander monitored the Kensington family affairs.

"That's correct," he replied evenly.

Alexander leaned forward. "I find that project quite intriguing myself. Perhaps you could share some details?"

Dominic nearly laughed aloud. The pretense was laughably thin - if Alexander truly cared about the business, he would have asked about the venture directly rather than leading with Reginald Kensington's name.

This was about protecting Victoria's family interests.

"My apologies, Mr. Whitmore," Dominic said smoothly. "That information remains confidential at this stage." He took a deliberate sip of water. "I'm sure you understand."