Chapter 70

Isabella gave her consent.

Sophia immediately requested that Isabella take her to school the next morning.

Isabella made the promise without hesitation.

It had been nearly ten days since their last encounter at the thermal springs resort.

That night, she remained at the Whitmore estate.

But she deliberately avoided the master suite.

Her intention was clear - she wanted to share Sophia's room.

The previous occasion had been when Sophia was ill.

This time, the child showed no signs of sickness, nor did she ask Isabella to stay.

Sophia noticed Isabella using her ensuite bathroom. The unspoken message was obvious - her stepmother planned to sleep here tonight. The choice puzzled Sophia, who wondered why Isabella wouldn't prefer the bedroom she shared with Alexander.

Truthfully, Sophia enjoyed sharing a bed with Isabella. The warmth and comfort of her embrace felt reassuring.

So she kept her questions to herself.

With Isabella staying over, Sophia needed extra caution when bidding goodnight to Victoria. Discovery would spell trouble.

The clock showed 11:00 pm when Isabella retired.

Alexander still hadn't returned.

Only next morning did Isabella realize he'd been out all night.

Her mind flashed back to their last encounter - yesterday at the elevator. Alexander had been leaving with Victoria.

The implication was clear - he'd likely spent the night with her.

Shaking off these thoughts, Isabella proceeded with her day. After dropping Sophia at school, she headed to YodaVision Co.

Sophia's affections clearly remained with Victoria. Her need for Isabella was sporadic at best.

Only when separated for extended periods, or when Alexander and others were absent, would Sophia remember her stepmother.

Otherwise, Isabella seemed unnecessary.

These past days proved it. Once learning Isabella's injuries had healed completely, Sophia stopped her daily calls. She never even questioned Isabella's nightly absences.

As for Alexander? He never cared about her whereabouts.

YodaVision had recently secured two major contracts with substantial payments. To celebrate, management announced a team-building event for Friday.

Employees voted on the location.

The thermal springs resort won by majority.

The news made Isabella pause, then smile bitterly.

Nathaniel noticed her reaction. "Not a fan of hot springs?"

"It's not that."

Memories flooded back - Alexander and Sophia abandoning her at the Fleming family's private springs just two weeks prior.

The wound still felt fresh.

Yet fourteen days had passed.

Time moved relentlessly forward.

Despite her reluctance, Isabella decided to participate. This marked her first company event since returning.

Their previous destination had been an exclusive Fleming property.

This time, they'd visit a sprawling commercial resort with extensive facilities.

Wrapped in a plush robe, Isabella approached the steaming pools.

Finding her colleagues absent, she entered alone. Barely a minute passed when she spotted a child - about Sophia's age - crouching dangerously close to the water's edge.

The pool measured four feet deep.

The girl appeared shorter than that.

Alarm bells rang as Isabella stood. Then - splash!

The child tumbled in.

Isabella rushed forward, pulling the sputtering girl to safety. Cradling the trembling form, she patted small shoulders while checking for injuries.

Between coughs and tears, the child clung to Isabella's neck as she carried her toward staff.

Near the entrance, Julian Montgomery came into view.

Before Isabella could react, the girl in her arms reached out desperately. "Uncle Julian!"