Chapter 71

Lily.

Julian approached Isabella and gently took the little girl from her arms.

That's when he noticed Lily was completely drenched.

He froze for a second. His eyes locked onto Isabella. "What happened?"

Isabella had no idea this child was also his niece.

"She fell into the pool," she explained. "I pulled her out."

"Thank you," Julian said stiffly.

"Don't mention it." Isabella gestured toward the shivering girl. "You should get her changed before she catches cold."

Julian gave a curt nod. He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but Lily's frightened sobs cut him off. The child clung to him, trembling violently. With one last glance at Isabella, he carried Lily toward the elevators.

Isabella returned to the pool area.

After a relaxing soak, she changed into fresh clothes and headed to the dining hall.

Halfway through her meal, Julian reappeared with Lily in tow.

"Mind if we join you?"

Truthfully, Isabella wanted nothing to do with Julian Montgomery.

But good manners forced her response. "Not at all. Please."

"Stay here, Lily." Julian crouched to the girl's level. "I'll get your food."

Lily peeked at Isabella nervously. "Okay," she whispered.

Julian turned back to Isabella. "Would you watch her for a moment?"

Despite her reluctance, Isabella had no choice. "Of course."

The moment Julian left, an awkward silence fell between them.

Lily fidgeted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. Isabella hesitated to speak, not wanting to scare her further.

Without knowing the child's dietary restrictions, she didn't dare offer any food from her plate.

After a long pause, Isabella finally said, "Your uncle will be back soon."

Lily's big eyes met hers. "Okay," she murmured softly.

"Does your nose still hurt from earlier?"

A small head shake.

Julian returned moments later with a plate for Lily. He set it down with careful precision, handing her utensils. The girl began eating quietly.

"Good?" Julian asked.

Lily nodded between bites.

Julian's gaze shifted to Isabella. "Lily, this is Ms. Sinclair. She's the one who saved you earlier. You should thank her."

Lily paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. She looked up at Isabella with wide eyes. "Thank you, Ms. Sinclair."

So this was Julian's way of expressing gratitude.

Isabella smiled gently. "You're very welcome."

Lily immediately turned her attention back to Julian. "Eat," he instructed simply.

The girl obediently resumed her meal.

Julian took a bite of his own food before addressing Isabella. "Here alone?"

"With colleagues," she answered. "Company retreat."

Julian didn't know she'd left Whitmore Industries.

Naturally assuming she meant Alexander's company, he stiffened slightly. "I see."

At that moment, Nathaniel spotted Isabella from across the room and waved.

Eager for any excuse to escape this awkward encounter, Isabella immediately returned the gesture. "Thank you again for earlier," she said quickly, rising from her seat. "I should go. Enjoy your meal."

Julian noticed how tense she'd been around him.

Her usual warmth was conspicuously absent.

He chalked it up to their unpleasant exchange at the racetrack last time.

With a silent nod, he let her go.

"Who was that?" Nathaniel asked when she reached him.

Julian's back had been turned during their interaction.

From behind, Nathaniel only saw a broad-shouldered man dining with a child, assuming they'd been sharing Isabella's table.