Chapter 77

"Grandmother," Isabella interrupted Eleanor. She maintained her composure as she continued, "It's fine. Sophia and I can return alone if Alexander is occupied."

Isabella refused to impose on Alexander. Her indifference toward him had grown beyond such trivial concerns.

Eleanor misread the situation entirely. She assumed Isabella's words stemmed from consideration, an attempt to spare Alexander inconvenience.

This misplaced kindness twisted Eleanor's heart with both sympathy and frustration. The matter was settled.

After breakfast, Isabella lingered to chat with Eleanor before preparing to depart. Eleanor insisted on sending gifts to her longtime friend Margaret, pressuring Isabella into becoming the unwilling courier.

Alexander remained home that morning, joining Eleanor to see Isabella and Sophia off.

Sophia clung to Alexander's leg. "Daddy, will you be home tonight?"

He tousled her hair gently. "Of course."

Not a single word passed between Isabella and Alexander.

Once Sophia bounded into the car, Isabella waved at Eleanor and drove away.

Through the rearview mirror, she watched their figures recede - Alexander and Eleanor standing motionless as the distance grew.

Upon arriving at the Sinclair estate, Isabella parked in the courtyard. Margaret and Caroline emerged to greet them.

Caroline's brows knitted at the car's overloaded trunk. "Why so many packages?"

"Grandmother Eleanor insisted," Isabella explained.

The once-close friendship between Margaret and Eleanor had cooled considerably since Isabella married Alexander.

Margaret scoffed at the explanation but held her tongue.

Isabella noticed construction across the street and seized the distraction. "New neighbors moving in?"

"Apparently so," Caroline confirmed. "Work began last week. The crew mentioned the owner wants to occupy quickly. For such an extensive renovation, they're progressing remarkably fast."

Their neighborhood of historic villas housed families who'd lived side-by-side for generations, creating an intimate community.

As they unloaded bags, Caroline mused, "Let's hope they're decent people."

Difficult neighbors could disrupt their peaceful coexistence.

Inside, Caroline presented Isabella with a steaming bowl of bone broth. "I heard you've been exhausted lately. Made extra for you to take home."

Isabella accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, Aunt Caroline."

Charles didn't return until dinner, delayed by work commitments.

Isabella's guilt resurfaced, remembering how Nathaniel's rejection of Victoria's application at YodaVision had provoked Alexander's retaliation - costing Charles a valuable project.

"Uncle Charles, I'm truly sorry about what happened."

Charles waved it off. "Ancient history. As I told you, Rodriguez Corporation couldn't have handled that project regardless. Don't trouble yourself."

This conversation couldn't reach Margaret's ears. Her fury would be uncontainable if she learned Alexander had sabotaged the Sinclairs for Victoria's sake.

Charles subtly nudged Isabella when Margaret approached, signaling her to drop the subject.

Isabella smoothly transitioned to safer topics.