Chapter 191

At Sophia's school, Isabella heard a sweet voice calling her name. "Ms. Sinclair!"

Turning slightly, she saw Charlotte running toward her. "Ms. Sinclair, my mom asked me to bring you some pastries last night, but you weren't home, so I took them back."

Just as Isabella opened her mouth to respond, Sophia—unaware her mother had moved out—huffed. "That's not true. My mom was home last night."

Charlotte scratched her head. "Huh? Really? Then why—"

Before Isabella could explain, Sophia's teacher called out. "Ms. Sinclair."

Isabella turned. "Ms. Moore."

Elizabeth gestured for the girls to go inside, saying she needed to speak with Isabella privately.

Once the children disappeared into the building, Elizabeth said, "Ms. Sinclair, are you aware of next week's parent-child activity?"

Isabella shook her head. Sophia hadn't mentioned it.

Elizabeth hesitated, having suspected as much but wanting confirmation. "I see."

"As long as someone accompanies her, it's fine," Isabella said evenly.

Recognizing her firm stance, Elizabeth sighed. "Understood."

After thanking the teacher, Isabella left.

Back at the office, she learned Victoria and Reginald Kensington had come by again.

Their initial encounter with Victoria had been coincidental. Neither Isabella nor Nathaniel had any intention of working with the Kensingtons.

Upon hearing this, Nathaniel immediately instructed his staff to turn them away.

Moments later, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he glanced at Isabella. "Alexander?"

She barely looked up from her work. "Let me guess—he's calling about the Kensingtons?"

Nathaniel answered. "Mr. Whitmore."

Alexander's voice came through. "Mr. Graves, how about dinner tonight?"

Nathaniel cut to the chase. "This call concerns the Kensingtons, doesn't it?"

"It does."

Nathaniel's laugh held no humor. "Mr. Whitmore, InnovaTech will never collaborate with the Kensingtons. I trust I don't need to explain why."

Before Alexander could respond, he continued, "Furthermore, while Whitmore Global's last proposal was impressive, any future collaboration would require one condition—absolute assurance that no Kensington or Pembroke has any involvement in our project."

"If that's unacceptable, this conversation is over. Are we clear, Mr. Whitmore?"

"Crystal," Alexander replied.

"Good. Then we're done here." Nathaniel ended the call.

Alexander didn't call back.

In the following days, even Whitmore Global went silent. It seemed Alexander was willing to sacrifice this business opportunity for Victoria's sake.

And indeed, that proved true.

Three days later, Nathaniel learned Whitmore Global had launched a new development team—with both Kensingtons and Pembrokes on board.

While losing Whitmore Global as a partner was regrettable, other firms of similar caliber existed.

InnovaTech didn't need them.

On Friday evening, Frederick returned.