Chapter 283

The government staff had arranged lunch for Isabella and the other company representatives. As the forum concluded, she gathered her belongings and stood to leave. Alexander observed her departure and followed discreetly.

The Fairchild and Ashford families shared a longstanding connection. This meant Dominic and Walter were well acquainted. Outside the conference room, Dominic approached Walter with a greeting.

Isabella deliberately ignored Dominic standing beside Walter. She moved past him to address Walter directly. "Mr. Ashford."

He responded with a warm smile. "No need for formalities. Just be yourself."

Isabella nodded. "Of course, Mr. Ashford."

Dominic frowned at their exchange. To his knowledge, Isabella and Walter had only met for the first time during Harry's art exhibition last year.

Back then, Walter's politeness toward Isabella could be attributed to his respect for Nathaniel. But their current interaction suggested a much closer relationship.

Not only did Walter recognize Isabella immediately, but his warmth toward her seemed almost familial. As if she were the daughter of an old friend he'd watched grow up.

What surprised Dominic more was Isabella's composed demeanor when addressing the older gentleman.

Alexander approached them then. "Mr. Ashford."

Walter's smile dimmed slightly upon seeing Alexander. The Ashfords and Whitmores weren't particularly close, though they'd maintained professional interactions in recent years.

Walter had always considered Alexander exceptionally talented - a rare combination of brilliance and humility. However, he'd never paid attention to the younger man's personal life.

He distinctly remembered learning about Alexander having a girlfriend during Harry's exhibition. Strangely, no one seemed aware of his marriage to Isabella at that time.

Their complete lack of recognition toward each other at the event had been striking. Walter now suspected they might have already been divorced by then.

The group moved toward the dining area. Dominic's frown deepened as he observed them. Before the forum began, he'd noticed Alexander initiating conversation with Isabella.

Though he couldn't hear their exchange, he knew Isabella had been targeting Victoria relentlessly.

Yet Alexander treated Isabella with notable warmth, their proximity suggesting intimacy. He'd even deliberately taken the seat beside her.

Isabella ate quietly while listening to Walter's discussion with other officials. Though seated beside her, Alexander engaged primarily with others at the table.

Only as lunch neared its end did Alexander turn to Isabella. "Sophia returns to school soon. Would you like to accompany her on the first day?"

She kept her gaze lowered. "I'm occupied. I won't have time."

Alexander chuckled. "Understood."

He then resumed conversation with others.

Dominic had been monitoring their interaction. Seeing Alexander speak openly to Isabella in public made him reconsider his suspicions. Perhaps it was merely professional courtesy between collaborators from InnovaTech and YodaVision.

As lunch concluded, Dominic averted his gaze. Spotting Walter, a sudden thought struck him. He quickly texted Sebastian.

"Did your uncle know Isabella before your grandfather's exhibition?"

Sebastian's unusual profession meant he rarely responded promptly. But coincidentally, he was off-duty today. Seeing Dominic's message, he replied immediately.

"Uncle Walter doesn't know Isabella. Why do you ask?"