Chapter 356

Last week, Nathaniel Graves visited InnovaTech to negotiate contract termination, but the discussions collapsed. That very afternoon, legal papers were filed.

When Isabella had her explosive confrontation with Victoria Kensington at InnovaTech, Nathaniel was overseas closing a deal.

Perhaps because she couldn't reach him, Victoria refused to let the matter drop.

Monday morning, Isabella arrived at work to find Victoria waiting in the lobby again. Their eyes met briefly before both women deliberately looked away.

Entering the office, Isabella spotted Nathaniel already at his desk.

"You're here early."

Nathaniel shrugged. "Came in forty minutes early to avoid ambushes."

Isabella smirked at that.

Dominic Fairchild happened to visit YodaVision that morning for a meeting. The elevator doors opened to reveal Victoria pacing near reception.

Having heard about the InnovaTech debacle, Dominic immediately understood her presence.

He approached with false concern. "How long have you been waiting? Has Mr. Graves arrived yet?"

"Nearly thirty minutes," Victoria replied smoothly. "He must be running late. Are you here to see him, Mr. Fairchild?"

Dominic nodded.

Before he could probe further, Nathaniel's assistant Victoria Chambers appeared. "Mr. Fairchild, right this way."

Dominic hesitated. "Nathaniel's in?"

Victoria Chambers smiled politely. "Yes."

Victoria Kensington seized the moment. "Ms. Chambers, I'm Victoria Kensington from InnovaTech. I need five minutes of Mr. Graves' time regarding an urgent—"

"Apologies, Ms. Kensington," the assistant cut in, "but you're not on the schedule." She turned back to Dominic. "Shall we?"

Dominic's jaw tightened.

Victoria Kensington pressed on. "I'll wait however long it takes. Just ten minutes—"

The assistant gave a practiced smile before leading Dominic away without another glance.

Inside Nathaniel's office, Dominic noted the deliberate omission. His frown deepened when business discussions began without acknowledging the waiting woman.

"Ms. Kensington has been outside for half an hour," Dominic interjected during a coffee order. "Perhaps you should—"

Nathaniel chuckled. "My schedule's set. Shall we focus on actual business?"

The dismissal was clear.

Dominic leaned forward. "Nathaniel, I understand InnovaTech made mistakes, but termination seems extreme. Are personal grudges influencing professional decisions?"

Nathaniel's smile turned icy. "Contract terms are my judgment call. My reasons stand."

"This doesn't concern you, Dominic."

Dominic had suspected Isabella's influence since Nathaniel's recent uncharacteristic actions against Victoria. Their long partnership made this deviation more jarring.

"Frederick Aldridge won't approve of this behavior," Dominic warned.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "Is that a threat?"

"A fact. He'd never condone his protégé acting so—"

The door slammed shut behind Dominic as Nathaniel stood abruptly.

"Get out."

His voice held lethal calm.

Dominic froze mid-sentence. The air crackled with tension as Nathaniel rounded the desk, eyes darkening dangerously.

"Say another word about my decisions," Nathaniel whispered, "and our decade-long partnership ends now."

Dominic's throat worked soundlessly.

Nathaniel stabbed the intercom. "Security. Escort our guest out."

As boots approached, Dominic finally found his voice. "You'll regret this."

Nathaniel smiled coldly. "Watch me."

The door clicked shut.

Outside, Victoria Kensington's eyes widened as Dominic was marched past her. Their gazes locked—his furious, hers calculating—before the elevator swallowed him whole.

Victoria Chambers approached with a clipboard. "Ms. Kensington? Mr. Graves will see you now."

A slow smile curved Victoria Kensington's lips as she stood.

Game on.