Chapter 288

Isabella's phone buzzed as she approached InnovaTech's headquarters. Eleanor Whitmore's name flashed on the screen. "Hello, Grandmother," she answered.

"Darling," Eleanor's voice carried warmth through the receiver. "Sophia mentioned you've been working late nights again. I worry about your health."

A sigh escaped Isabella's lips. "It's just a busy period."

"I've sent over some vitamins from Switzerland. Make sure you take them daily."

Isabella knew refusal was pointless. Eleanor always found ways to care for her. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Eleanor's chuckle was light. "Oh, I spoke with Alexander about being more considerate. He promised to try harder."

"You didn't need to do that."

"Nonsense. You're both Sophia's parents. Tension between you affects her." The unspoken command in Eleanor's tone was clear - play nice.

Ah. That explained Alexander's sudden concern at the conference. Isabella's grip tightened on her phone. "Understood."

After exchanging pleasantries, she ended the call. The elevator doors opened to an empty reception area - no sign of Victoria Kensington today.

Maxwell Sterling spotted her first. "Happy Valentine's Day, Ms. Sinclair! Did your secret admirer send flowers?"

Before she could respond, Rosalind Pembroke chimed in. "Oh, the roses were enormous! We're all green with envy over here."

Maxwell's laughter died when Genevieve Kensington materialized beside them. "Flowers? How... quaint." Her smirk was razor-sharp. "Is that all you received?"

Rosalind faltered. "Well, I--"

"Pathetic." Genevieve's nails tapped against her designer handbag. "Victoria's office is overflowing with bouquets. But the real gift? Alexander transferred controlling shares of InnovaTech to her name. Now that's worth celebrating."

Maxwell's mouth snapped shut. His gaze darted to Isabella, who maintained perfect composure despite the bombshell.

He leaned closer, voice dropping. "Rumor has it every eligible bachelor in the city sends Victoria gifts anonymously. But Alexander Whitmore outplayed them all." Awe colored his whisper. "No one's ever gifted company shares before. The entire finance department's buzzing."

Isabella's lips curved without warmth. None of this surprised her. Victoria already had unrestricted access to confidential files. Julian and Eleanor Kensington waltzed through security checkpoints unchallenged. At this rate, they might as well rename the building Kensington Tower.

Still, she had to admire Alexander's theatricality. Choosing Valentine's Day for the transfer wasn't coincidence - it was a calculated romantic gesture. Every detail meticulously planned to showcase his devotion.

"Discussing me?" Victoria's voice sliced through the tension as she emerged from the boardroom.

Maxwell recovered first. "Ms. Kensington! How was the shareholders' meeting?"

"Productive." Victoria's smile didn't reach her eyes. The quarterly executive briefing had run longer than expected.