Chapter 407

The Grand Ballroom shimmered under crystal chandeliers as Isabella Sinclair arrived on Nathaniel Graves' arm. They'd just returned from Salzburg that afternoon, yet here they were at The Grandeur's annual tech gala.

Her sharp eyes immediately caught Victoria Kensington and Genevieve whispering near the champagne fountain.

Genevieve's face twisted in displeasure. "Must she invade every prestigious event?" she hissed just loud enough to carry.

Isabella merely adjusted her emerald cocktail ring and turned away. After exchanging pleasantries with their host Simon Fairchild, she spotted Kieran Blackwood making his way toward them.

He'd secured an invitation the moment he heard she'd be attending.

Tonight, Isabella wore a liquid silver gown that clung to her curves like mercury, the high neckline contrasting with the daring open back. Her raven hair fell in a sleek curtain, framing features as precise as cut glass.

Cool. Composed. Utterly mesmerizing.

Kieran's breath caught - she reinvented elegance each time he saw her.

"You're becoming quite the regular at these functions," Isabella remarked dryly, having noticed him at the last two industry events.

"Couldn't miss this one," Kieran recovered smoothly, masking his admiration.

Rumor had it Gregory Thornton would attend tonight. The AI pioneer and Frederick Langley were intellectual equals, their contributions to machine learning legendary.

Victoria had met Gregory twice during her doctoral research at Yardley.

Acquaintances, nothing more.

Spotting him across the room, Victoria approached with practiced charm. "Professor Thornton, what a pleasure."

He acknowledged her with a curt nod.

Emboldened, Victoria opened her mouth to continue -

"Have the Sinclairs arrived yet?" Gregory abruptly asked his assistant.

"Just now, sir."

Gregory's entire demeanor brightened. Excusing himself from the circle of academics, he declared, "You'll have to forgive me - I must speak with Sinclair immediately."

Simon Fairchild chuckled. "Eager to debate neural networks with Graves again?"

"Actually, it's Sinclair's latest paper that's revolutionary." With that, he strode toward Isabella without a backward glance.

Victoria's smile froze.

Genevieve bristled. "How rude! After you studied under Frederick -"

"Enough." Victoria's clipped tone silenced her cousin.

Meanwhile, Gregory was already shaking Isabella's hand with rare enthusiasm. "Your quantum computing framework - absolute genius. I've analyzed it six times."

Isabella's lips curved. "You flatter me, Professor."

The paper had barely hit academic journals when invitations flooded in from every major tech conference. She'd declined them all.

So Gregory came to her.

Their conversation sparked like live wires - from her research to AI ethics, from historical breakthroughs to speculative futures. Isabella matched him point for point, her insights razor-sharp.

When Gregory referenced obscure studies, she not only recognized them but expanded with three equally relevant papers, synthesizing core concepts into dazzling new perspectives.

Nathaniel watched, amused, as the usually taciturn Gregory became animated, gesturing wildly between sips of champagne. Around them, other guests gradually stopped pretending not to eavesdrop.

Victoria observed from across the room, her manicured nails digging into her clutch. The evening wasn't going as planned. Not at all.