Chapter 416
Evelyn's medical treatment wouldn't be available immediately.
The following day, Isabella returned to work after her hospital visit, maintaining her usual routine.
Gregory Pembroke had flown in from out of state for business discussions with Isabella and Nathaniel Graves.
At midday, Isabella and Nathaniel took Gregory to lunch at The Grandeur.
Their collaboration was nearing finalization. During the car ride, Nathaniel inquired about Gregory's departure plans.
Gregory smiled warmly. "I'll be extending my stay by two days. Another business meeting came up tomorrow."
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow with interest. "What sort of collaboration?"
"InnovaTech," Gregory replied.
The name made both Isabella and Nathaniel's smiles falter momentarily.
Unaware of the tension between YodaVision and InnovaTech, Gregory continued enthusiastically. "InnovaTech recently made a technological breakthrough. Industry experts are predicting remarkable growth potential."
"Yesterday, Ms. Kensington from InnovaTech proposed a partnership. The terms seemed favorable, so I accepted."
Caught up in their own projects, Isabella and Nathaniel hadn't tracked this development. The unexpected news darkened their expressions.
After exchanging a glance with Isabella, Nathaniel responded neutrally, "Is that so?"
Their conversation continued until they reached the restaurant.
As they exited after lunch, the elevator doors opened to reveal Victoria Kensington and her entourage.
"Mr. Pembroke!" Victoria and Reginald Kensington greeted Gregory warmly, equally surprised by the encounter.
After pleasantries, Gregory gestured to Isabella and Nathaniel. "Ms. Kensington, these two are—"
Nathaniel interrupted smoothly. "No introductions necessary. We're acquainted."
Gregory chuckled. "Of course, we met last time. My memory fails me sometimes."
He added admiringly, "Mr. Kensington, Ms. Kensington, your company's progress is truly impressive. Quite enviable."
Victoria and Reginald accepted the compliment with practiced modesty.
Since InnovaTech's R&D team overcame their technical hurdles, their autonomous vehicle project had gained significant industry traction. Analysts now valued the company at potential billions.
Reginald's struggling tech firm had also made breakthroughs with external assistance, its future suddenly bright.
The Kensington and Sinclair families reveled in InnovaTech's success. Genevieve Kensington couldn't hide her smug satisfaction when looking at Isabella.
All credit went to Alexander Whitmore, who had seemingly anticipated this outcome when transferring the company to Victoria. His unsurprised reaction to the breakthrough spoke volumes.
With both Kensington enterprises thriving and Alexander's impending divorce from Isabella, fortune clearly favored the Kensington family.
Isabella and Nathaniel remained silent observers throughout.
Victoria didn't even glance Isabella's way.
The groups parted ways in the lobby.
Back in the car, Nathaniel researched the news, understanding the Kensingtons' elation.
"Alexander is really—"
Too generous.
He left the thought unspoken, respecting Isabella's feelings, though his own resentment simmered.
Returning to the office, they were reviewing meeting notes when accounting notified them: InnovaTech's final compensation payment—over $100 million—had cleared.
Nathaniel blinked. "They raised that amount already?"
Isabella nodded. "Apparently."
A heavy silence followed before they refocused on work.
Later that afternoon, Isabella's phone rang mid-meeting. Emily Donovan's voice came through urgently.
"Bella, have you heard about InnovaTech?"
"I have."
"That witch got incredibly lucky. If their autonomous vehicles gain market traction, doesn't that mean—"
Isabella's grip tightened on her mouse. Before she could respond, Emily continued, "And your father's company is thriving too."
"They might secure the government's smart traffic platform contract. That project would establish Locket Tech permanently in Fairview."
Emily's voice dripped with resentment. "Why? Why do these people keep succeeding?"