Chapter 23

Benjamin Hayes froze in the doorway of the break room, catching the tail end of Isabella Sinclair's conversation with Olivia Chambers.

He and Daniel Prescott had been certain Isabella would never willingly leave the company. They'd bet on her finding some way to stay.

When Olivia took over Isabella's responsibilities, they expected fireworks. Olivia was gorgeous - how could Isabella let her work so closely with Alexander Whitmore?

Yet for days, Isabella had not only accepted Olivia but seemed to genuinely like her. Now she was even teaching Olivia how to brew Alexander's favorite coffee.

What game was she playing?

Isabella remained unaware of Benjamin's scrutiny. She declined Olivia's dinner invitation with a polite smile, eager to get home and continue her AI research.

Her phone rang as she stepped into her car. "Mom? Are you off work?" Sophia Whitmore's voice chirped through the speakers.

"What do you need?" Isabella started the engine.

"I want you to cook tonight. Can you make my favorite when you get home?"

Isabella's grip tightened on the wheel.

Technically, she and Alexander weren't divorced yet. He hadn't asked her to move out. Cooking for their daughter shouldn't be an issue.

But she was exhausted. And she had plans.

Sophia was her responsibility, but Isabella had a life too. She wasn't willing to sacrifice everything unconditionally anymore.

"Not tonight, sweetheart. Maybe another time."

Isabella had rarely refused Sophia anything before. This was her second rejection today.

Though Sophia assumed her mother was simply busy, she'd grown accustomed to being Isabella's top priority. The rejection stung.

"Mom! You're always busy now! I don't care - I want you to cook for me!"

Isabella felt a headache coming on.

Sophia huffed and hung up.

Tears pricked Isabella's eyes. She sat motionless for several minutes before finally pulling out of the parking lot.

At home, she ate a quick meal and opened her laptop. Nathaniel Graves called just as she began working.

"There's an industry event this weekend. Come with me? I'd like to introduce you to some people."

"Of course."

"How's the handover going?"

"Nearly done. Just a few more days."

"Perfect."

Meanwhile, Sophia waited, convinced her mother would rush home to comfort her. By 8pm, there was still no sign of Isabella.

Richard Thornton grew concerned. "Miss Sophia, perhaps you should eat something? Mrs. Whitmore seems quite busy tonight."

"No!" Sophia crossed her arms.

When Isabella didn't even call, Sophia's hurt turned to real anger. Richard's suggestion only made her cry harder. "I want Mom to cook!"

Richard had no choice but to call Alexander.

It took several rings before Alexander answered. "What?"

After Richard explained, Alexander said, "Put her on."

"Daddy..." Sophia sniffled.

"Eat your dinner."

Sophia wiped her tears but stayed stubbornly silent.

Alexander matched her silence.

Her crying intensified.

"I'll take you out this weekend. You choose where."

The sobbing stopped. "Really?"

"Yes. Now eat."

"Have you eaten, Daddy?"

"I'm at a function."

"Oh..."

"Go eat."

"Fine."

Sophia pouted but felt better. She hung up and went downstairs without further protest.

Back at the private dining room, someone teased, "Mr. Whitmore, you're quite popular tonight."

Alexander sipped his drink. "My daughter was refusing to eat. Had to handle it."