Chapter 31

Nathaniel was just opening his mouth when Isabella spotted someone moving toward them. She turned slightly and found herself staring directly into Victoria Kensington's cold eyes.

Victoria offered Nathaniel a polite smile, but when her gaze landed on Isabella, her expression turned to ice. She looked away immediately, dismissing Isabella as if she were invisible.

Just as Victoria was about to flash Nathaniel another smile, he unexpectedly turned to Isabella instead. "This is Ms. Sinclair, my dear friend," he said smoothly. "Would you like to get acquainted?"

His words carried three unmistakable messages. First, he and Isabella shared an intimate connection. Second, he knew about the bad blood between Victoria and Isabella. Third, he'd chosen sides - and it wasn't Victoria's.

Victoria hadn't known about Nathaniel and Isabella's prior relationship. The nature of their bond remained unclear to her. But his meaning was crystal clear now.

"Mr. Graves," she said icily, "are you implying I shouldn't bother showing up at InnovaTech tomorrow?"

Nathaniel set down his glass with an appreciative smile and applauded softly. "Ms. Kensington, you catch on quick."

He could've been diplomatic. He chose not to be. The message was clear - he stood with Isabella, and this decision was for her benefit.

Victoria remained utterly unfazed. No embarrassment colored her cheeks, no humiliation darkened her eyes. In her mind, InnovaTech's value paled next to the Whitmore family's prestige.

Nathaniel Graves wasn't important enough to humiliate her. With that thought, she turned away without another word.

Isabella watched the exchange, a warm smile playing on her lips. She was about to speak to Nathaniel when she noticed Alexander, Julian, and Oliver all turning their attention toward her.

Their focus seemed primarily on Victoria. Probably surprised to see her here too.

Julian and Oliver looked shocked, but Alexander's face remained impassive. Calm. As if she weren't his wife at all, but some stranger he'd never met.

"Something wrong?" Nathaniel followed her gaze.

Isabella shook her head with a smile. "Not at all."

By then, Victoria had already left. With her gone, Alexander and the others lost interest in Isabella's presence. She resumed her conversation with Theodore.

When Theodore excused himself, Isabella took a sip of her drink and caught Oliver smirking at her while Alexander's back was turned. Oliver raised his glass in her direction.

Isabella frowned, confused by Oliver's behavior. He shot her a disdainful look before turning away completely, as if she didn't exist.

Suddenly it clicked - Oliver must think she and Nathaniel had ganged up on Victoria. His smirk suggested this wasn't over. Her frown deepened.

Soon after, Joshua returned from mingling. After greeting everyone warmly, he asked Nathaniel, "You know Ms. Kensington?"

He meant Victoria.

Nathaniel grinned. "We've met. Why?"

"I learned a bit about her background earlier. She mentioned being from Salzburg, not Baumond."

"Her family's quite successful there. But compared to powerhouses like the Whitmores, Montgomerys, and Westbrooks here in Baumond?" Joshua shrugged. "They're small fish in a big pond."