Chapter 87

Eleanor's tone was sharp, but her eyes softened when they landed on Alexander.

He remained impassive, already reaching for a serving dish to place food on Isabella's plate.

"Thank you," Isabella murmured.

Eleanor announced she'd brought various health supplements. After dinner, she insisted on personally preparing medicinal soups for both of them.

Isabella had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Having spent her youth in Salzburg, Eleanor had mastered the art of slow-simmered broths.

When dinner concluded, she marched into the kitchen to supervise. Isabella tried to assist, only to be gently but firmly shooed away.

Left with no alternatives, Isabella settled onto the living room sofa.

Sophia and Alexander occupied the same space—one engrossed in her puzzle, the other scrolling through work emails. Silence blanketed the room.

Nathaniel's message pinged Isabella's phone about a work matter. She immediately dove into the discussion, fingers flying across the screen.

Her concentration was so complete that she missed Eleanor's return from the kitchen.

Alexander, however, had already set his phone aside.

When Isabella finally noticed, she quickly locked her screen. "Grandmother."

Eleanor surveyed the trio and sighed. "You all—"

She shook her head before sitting beside Isabella. "What has you so preoccupied?"

"Just work matters."

Eleanor snorted, gesturing toward Alexander. "Can't you discuss work with him? Or is he just decorative furniture?"

Isabella froze. She hadn't mentioned resigning from Whitmore Industries.

Her eyes flicked to Alexander.

He seemed oddly pleased, making no move to correct Eleanor or reveal Isabella's employment status.

Perhaps he feared Eleanor would insist on her returning to the company.

Eleanor swiftly changed topics, then dragged both Isabella and Alexander into the garden for a walk.

After their stroll, Eleanor yawned. "I'll bathe and rest now. Don't forget to drink the soup when it's ready."

Isabella opened her mouth to respond, then froze as the implication hit her. She turned wide eyes toward Alexander.

Anticipating her reaction, he said, "Grandmother plans to stay with us for a while."

"What?" Isabella gasped.

Alexander offered no further explanation. "I'm going to the study."

With that, he disappeared upstairs.

Sophia bounded down moments later, tugging Isabella upstairs to help with her puzzle.

An hour later, Margaret entered with a tray. "Mrs. Whitmore, the tonic is ready."

She placed a bowl before Isabella.

"Thank you."

"Mrs. Whitmore Senior said to drink it hot."

"Of course."

Margaret departed to deliver Alexander's portion.

After finishing her soup, Isabella reminded Sophia about bath time.

With Eleanor staying over, sleeping in Sophia's room wasn't an option tonight.

Once Sophia was settled, Isabella returned to the master suite.

Alexander's absence suggested he remained in the study.

Nathaniel had sent additional documents requiring review.

She addressed several straightforward items, but complex issues demanded deeper consideration. Pondering them, she stepped into the bathroom.

Post-shower, she realized she'd forgotten pajama bottoms.

Her earlier clothes were damp from splashed water.

Assuming Alexander hadn't returned, she hesitated before pushing the door open.

And collided with his piercing gaze the moment she stepped out.