Chapter 233

Isabella had no choice but to hand the flowers to Alexander when he reached out.

She deliberately avoided looking at Oliver or Julian, walking straight to the hospital bed. "How are you feeling, Grandma Eleanor?" she asked.

"Still some pain, but manageable," Eleanor replied weakly.

The elderly woman looked exhausted after her recent surgery.

She grasped Isabella's hand gently. "You've been working all day. Have you eaten? Why don't you join Alexander and his friends for dinner?"

"I already ate at the office," Isabella answered curtly.

Noticing Isabella's continued distance from Alexander, Eleanor didn't press further.

Their conversation lasted only a few more minutes before Eleanor grew tired. As Isabella prepared to leave, Eleanor insisted Alexander walk her out since they were all heading to dinner anyway.

In the elevator, Oliver kept staring at Isabella with undisguised curiosity. She turned sharply. "See something interesting?"

"Almost," he smirked.

Isabella ignored him.

When the doors opened, she strode out first, maintaining several paces between herself and the men.

Oliver leaned toward Alexander, whispering, "Her attitude toward you has changed dramatically. Has she really moved on? I find that hard to believe."

Alexander watched Isabella's retreating back without responding.

Julian, who hadn't heard, asked, "What are you two discussing?"

Oliver repeated his question.

Julian reacted identically to Alexander - both men simply observed Isabella's departing figure in silence.

At the hospital entrance, Alexander suddenly called out, "Sophia is still at the Sinclair residence."

Isabella's step faltered momentarily, but she continued walking to her car without acknowledgment.

That's when she noticed Victoria still waiting outside.

While Isabella headed straight for her vehicle, the three men approached Victoria instead.

Isabella drove off without a backward glance, returning directly to the Sinclair estate.

"Mom! You're back!" Sophia exclaimed when Isabella entered, looking up from where she played with William and Edward.

Isabella closed the door against the winter chill, removing her coat. "Yes."

Sophia abandoned her tablet to hug Isabella's legs. "Dad said I can stay with you for days! After visiting Grandma tomorrow, can we go skiing?"

Before Isabella could answer, William and Edward chimed in, "Yes, Isabella! Let's all go!"

"Alright," Isabella agreed.

Sophia cheered, grabbing her phone. "I'm calling Dad to tell him!"

Isabella didn't listen to their conversation, heading upstairs instead.

The next morning at the hospital, Victoria was absent, though Alexander appeared to have relocated his office there temporarily.

When Isabella and Sophia arrived, he was reviewing documents.

"Dad!" Sophia called.

Before Alexander could respond, she noticed the side table laden with trendy snacks, fruits, and drinks popular with children.