Chapter 436

Vivian Lockhart and Cassandra Delacroix arrived at the hospital where Isabella was staying.

Nathaniel Blackwood had urgent business with Lockhart Enterprises, leaving Isabella alone in the private ward. She was video-calling her daughter. "Abigail, is Adrian still buried in his research? Is that why he won’t talk to Mommy?"

"Yes, Mommy. Adrian is very serious about his project. No distractions allowed. You might not see him for a while..."

"Not even a peek?" Isabella tapped Abigail’s cheek on the screen, pouting. "Sweetheart, just turn the camera for one second. Let me see him!"

"No way!" Abigail shook her head fiercely. "I pinky-promised Adrian! If I break it, my nose will grow like Pinocchio’s!"

"Fine, fine..." Isabella sighed in defeat. No matter how formidable she was in the business world, her children always reduced her to putty.

They were stubborn—more stubborn than she’d ever been. If they refused, she couldn’t force them.

Still, with Evelyn Whitmore watching over them, along with Coral Haven’s tight security, she wasn’t overly concerned.

"Mommy, does your leg still hurt? I’ll kiss it better!" Abigail blew exaggerated kisses at the camera.

"Oh, my precious girl! I think I’m instantly healed!" Isabella clutched her chest dramatically, wishing she could recover faster and bring them home.

"More kisses! Mwah! Mwah!" Isabella puckered her lips, smothering her phone screen with kisses.

Just then, the door swung open.

Margaret Whitmore stood frozen in the doorway, clutching a bouquet of lilies, her expression caught between shock and secondhand embarrassment.

"Did I... interrupt something?" she asked awkwardly.

Isabella stiffened, her kissy-face still in place. She hadn’t expected Eleanor Whitmore of all people to walk in.

"Mommy, who’s there? I wanna say hi!" Abigail’s cheerful voice piped up from the phone.

"Gotta go, baby!" Isabella ended the call abruptly, schooling her expression into cool indifference. "Eleanor. What a... surprise."

Eleanor’s sharp eyes zeroed in on the phone. "Who were you talking to? I distinctly heard someone call you 'Mommy.'"

"Your hearing must be failing you in your old age," Isabella replied smoothly. "Hallucinations are common at your stage of life."

"Ridiculous." Eleanor’s voice was razor-sharp. "My hearing is impeccable. There was a child on that call. Did you have a secret baby during your disappearance four years ago?"

Isabella’s mind raced for an excuse—

Cassandra cut in smoothly. "Miss Whitmore, you misheard. Miss Lockhart was clearly speaking to a friend. It’s trendy now—girls using cutesy nicknames. Right, Miss Lockhart?"