Chapter 409

Kieran Blackwood's brow furrowed deeply. "Absolutely nothing?"

His companion shrugged. "That's right. Rumor has it she married young, and from what I gathered, the marriage wasn't exactly... harmonious."

"The neighbors near the Sinclair estate claim they've never even laid eyes on the man. The family clearly disapproves—they refuse to speak of him at all."

After a weighted pause, he added, "Oh, and there's a child involved."

Kieran's head snapped up, certain he'd misheard. "Excuse me?"

"Truth. Nearly choked on my coffee when I found out. Who would've guessed? Certainly not me, judging by how she carries herself."

Indeed.

Having worked alongside Isabella Sinclair at YodaVision for years, Kieran had never once caught wind of a child. Nothing in her demeanor suggested motherhood either.

Noticing his stunned silence, his friend arched a brow. "Should I keep digging?" The unspoken question hung between them—now that they knew Isabella was a divorced mother, did Kieran still care to pursue her?

Kieran stood motionless, jaw clenched.

By all accounts, he had it all—wealth, looks, a thriving career. Yet romance continually eluded him.

The first woman he'd fancied had chosen another while he was still mustering the courage to confess.

And now, just as he'd begun developing genuine feelings for Isabella, this bombshell dropped. Married. Divorced. A mother.

Who could process that?

His friend sighed, giving his shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. As he turned to leave, Isabella's laughter rang out across the room—still deep in conversation with Nathaniel Graves.

Kieran's gaze locked onto her profile, transfixed.

After a long moment, his expression hardened with resolve. "Tell me everything."

His friend, already mentally scrolling through nearby single women, blinked. "Pardon?"

Then comprehension dawned. His mouth fell open. "You're serious? After all that?"

Kieran merely stared, silent.

Just as his friend began protesting, movement caught their attention—Victoria Kensington gliding into their line of sight, exchanging pleasantries with a nearby guest.

Kieran stiffened.

His companion recognized Victoria instantly. When she glanced their way, he offered an awkward half-wave. "Ms. Kensington."

Victoria nodded coolly, her eyes lingering on Kieran.

He gave her the barest acknowledgment before pointedly turning away.

Taking the hint, his friend hastily continued, "So... about Isabella. Honestly, there's not much else. Want me to push harder?"

Kieran shook his head. "Leave it."

While curiosity gnawed at him about Isabella's ex, he wasn't about to launch a full-scale investigation. Their divorce meant the past was irrelevant.

He'd only requested basic background checks—enough to understand her present, not excavate her history.

His friend shrugged. "Your call."

Across the room, Victoria noted Kieran's dismissal, her smile tightening.

Earlier, when they'd arrived, Kieran had immediately looked their way. To Genevieve, this signaled clear interest. She nudged Victoria playfully. "Seems Mr. Blackwood can't take his eyes off you."

Victoria said nothing.

After witnessing Isabella's effortless charm with Nathaniel, her thoughts had spiraled. If Isabella truly was this magnetic, perhaps Kieran's attention had genuinely shifted.

Isabella possessed a rare beauty that intensified when she spoke—her confidence radiating like sunlight. That kind of woman could captivate anyone. Yet when Victoria searched Kieran's face earlier, he'd been engrossed in conversation, not even glancing Isabella's way.

Now, hearing Genevieve's teasing, a small, relieved smile touched her lips.

The moment shattered as Julian Montgomery and Oliver Westbrook arrived, offering apologies to their host. "Terribly sorry we're late—unavoidable delay on the road."

"Think nothing of it! Among friends, such formalities aren't necessary."

Victoria's smile vanished the instant she spotted Julian.

After greeting their host, Julian's gaze found Isabella instantly. He moved toward her without hesitation, eyes alight with singular focus—completely overlooking Victoria's presence.

It was Oliver who noticed the women first, discreetly elbowing Julian. Only then did Julian offer Victoria a cursory nod.

Victoria saw everything.

Genevieve, oblivious, brightened at Julian's arrival. "Julian's here! Let's go—"

Her suggestion died as Julian beelined for Isabella and Nathaniel. She huffed. "Why does he always gravitate toward her? Infuriating."

Julian's reappearance after weeks abroad sent a visible ripple through the room.

Kieran's expression darkened considerably.

And when Julian reached Isabella's side, Kieran abruptly straightened, striding purposefully in their direction.