Chapter 158

Isabella found her book after Sophia had left. Clutching the novel, she settled by the large second-floor window and began reading.

Thirty minutes later, Eleanor arrived with a steaming bowl of herbal medicine. "There you are, dear."

Isabella set aside her book and accepted the bowl. "You didn't need to bring it up, Grandma. I would've come down if you'd called."

"You should rest, not exhaust yourself moving around."

Eleanor sat on the opposite couch, sighing. "I wanted to ask Alexander to bring this to you, but he's glued to his keyboard in the study. It's the weekend—what could possibly be so urgent?"

Earlier, Alexander had been guiding Victoria through some project details. Isabella assumed he'd retreated to the study for easier typing.

She remained silent, lifting the bowl to her lips.

The medicine had cooled slightly, and Isabella drank it in quick gulps. Eleanor frowned. "That's terribly bitter, darling. Slow down."

Isabella placed the empty bowl aside. "It's fine, really."

She rinsed her mouth with water, and Eleanor handed her a candy.

Isabella didn't take it.

Dinner was nearly ready, but since she'd already eaten, she returned to her book.

Eleanor headed downstairs.

Half an hour later, Eleanor and Sophia returned, their expressions tight.

"Alexander is going to the office at this hour? He'll work himself sick!" Eleanor snapped.

Isabella, absorbed in her reading, hadn't even heard the car leave.

If Alexander was leaving now, it must be related to Victoria's project. Sophia flopped onto Isabella's lap, pouting. "Dad wouldn't let me go with him."

Of course he wouldn't.

If he did, everyone at InnovaTech would discover he was married—and that he had a daughter Sophia's age.

Victoria would be humiliated.

Alexander would never allow that.

Isabella nudged Sophia away gently. "I'm still recovering, sweetheart. Sit somewhere else."

"Okay..."

Still feeling slightly unwell, Isabella washed up and went to bed by ten.

The next morning, she realized Alexander hadn't come home.

Thanks to Gregory, Isabella recovered quickly.

Eleanor insisted Gregory check on her again, and he prescribed two more doses. Isabella needed to return to work, and Eleanor couldn't dissuade her. Instead, she demanded Isabella return that evening for her medicine, claiming she couldn't brew it properly herself.

Seeing Eleanor's stubborn expression, Isabella reluctantly agreed.

Sophia begged Isabella to drive her to school, but Isabella refused. "Next time, sweetheart. I didn't bring my car."

Sophia grinned. "You can take Dad's! I'll call him—he'll say yes."

Without waiting for a response, Sophia dialed Alexander.

The call connected almost immediately.

Sophia nearly blurted out the responder's name—but caught Isabella's sharp gaze and swallowed the word.

"Never mind," Sophia muttered, hanging up.

She thought she'd hidden it well, but Isabella had caught it—the way Sophia had almost said Victoria's name.