Chapter 138

Nathaniel noticed how drained they looked and dismissed Isabella and himself early that evening.

Exhausted from the long day, Isabella headed straight for the shower upon arriving home before collapsing into bed.

The next morning brought urgent matters requiring their attention at InnovaTech.

By afternoon, they carved out time to visit the tech firm. The moment they stepped inside, technical discussions consumed them.

Within minutes, Dominic and Simon entered, escorted by InnovaTech staff. Both men's eyebrows shot up at the sight of Isabella.

Simon smirked. "She actually works here? What are the odds."

Dominic merely shrugged. Hardly knowing her, how would he be aware of her employment status?

"Ms. Sinclair?" An InnovaTech employee clarified. "She's not on our payroll. She's YodaVision's technical specialist, here to assist with system issues."

A prickling sensation made Isabella turn.

Her gaze landed on the auction commentators from days prior. She offered them the briefest glance before turning away, features schooled into perfect neutrality.

Simon chuckled. "Well, that's a cold shoulder."

Dominic showed no interest in pursuing the topic.

Before he could speak, Victoria entered from the corridor.

Spotting them, Victoria paused mid-step, surprise flickering across her composed features.

"Ms. Kensington." Dominic's entire demeanor shifted at her appearance, the indifference vanishing instantly.

Victoria inclined her head slightly. "Mr. Fairchild. Mr. York."

Dominic approached. "Do you work with InnovaTech, Ms. Kensington?"

"Not officially," Victoria replied. "I specialize in algorithmic development. Came to expand my knowledge base."

Though born in the capital, Dominic rarely stayed long. His recent return had introduced him to Victoria's growing reputation.

The whispers painted an extraordinary picture - university graduate at eighteen, PhD candidate at a global top-tier institution. The resume alone intimidated him.

Beyond academia, she supposedly dominated racing circuits and esports tournaments while excelling in rock climbing and skydiving. Each revelation made her more compelling.

Unfortunately, she belonged to Alexander.

Maintaining respectful distance, he remarked, "Your dedication to self-improvement is remarkable."

"You flatter me, Mr. Fairchild." Victoria's humility despite her achievements only deepened his admiration. "Recognizing one's limitations is the first step toward growth."

Their company, CodeFlux Inc., partnered with InnovaTech on the same project where YodaVision handled system architecture while CodeFlux managed materials.

Victor Pembroke, another project lead, approached upon noticing their arrival.

The group migrated toward Isabella and Nathaniel's workstation.

"Mr. Graves," Victor began introductions, "these gentlemen are—"

Nathaniel glanced up, arching an eyebrow. "Mr. Fairchild. Mr. York." His gaze shifted. "And Ms. Kensington."

Isabella hadn't looked toward the entrance again, but Nathaniel's mention of Victoria snapped her attention back. She didn't need to turn to know who had arrived.