Chapter 312

Before Nathaniel could respond, Sophia tilted her head and studied him. "Mr. Graves, your voice sounds so familiar."

During the Winter Solstice gala, Isabella had placed Nathaniel on speakerphone during their lengthy business negotiations.

Sophia had been present that evening. Of course she'd recognize that distinctive baritone.

But Nathaniel merely arched an eyebrow. "Do I?"

Sophia nodded enthusiastically. "Mm-hmm!"

"Perhaps I just have one of those voices," Nathaniel deflected with practiced ease.

Alexander coughed into his fist to disguise a chuckle.

Nathaniel shot him a look. What exactly was so amusing about this situation?

As more guests streamed into the ballroom, the Whitmore family excused themselves to attend to other visitors, cutting the conversation short.

Rumors had swirled for years about Alexander's secret marriage and child. Tonight, the speculation ended.

Gasps rippled through the crowd when a miniature version of Alexander appeared, clutching his hand and calling him "Daddy" in a clear, carrying voice.

The truth was undeniable now - the elusive billionaire heir did indeed have a daughter.

Whether he remained married, or had divorced, remained a mystery the Whitmores carefully guarded.

Dominic had met Sophia before but kept the information to himself.

When his childhood friend Simon spotted the little girl, his jaw practically hit the marble floor.

"Holy hell! Whitmore actually got married? And the kid's what - five? That means if Victoria marries him, she'd be an insta-mom?" The thought of the notoriously high-maintenance Victoria Kensington playing stepmother was almost comical.

Simon nearly voiced how disadvantageous this would be for Victoria. Then he remembered the vast gulf between the Kensington and Whitmore family fortunes.

Considering Alexander's status and influence, even with baggage, Victoria would still be marrying up spectacularly.

Besides, the child was a daughter - no threat to future inheritance.

As long as Victoria produced a male heir, her position would be unassailable.

Alexander's past relationships became irrelevant in the grand scheme.

Across the ballroom, a society matron gushed to Melissa Graves. "Nathaniel's accomplishments at such a young age! YodaVision's success speaks volumes about your son's brilliance."

Melissa smiled demurely. "You're too kind. He's had some fortunate breaks."

The conversation inevitably turned to Isabella.

"Your son and Ms. Sinclair seem quite close," the woman probed. "Any wedding bells in their future?"

While Nathaniel and Isabella maintained a strictly professional relationship, Melissa didn't correct the assumption.

"The young people will decide their own timeline," she said with a knowing smile.

To outsiders, it sounded like wedding preparations could commence at any moment.

Julian and Oliver observed the exchange from a nearby table.

At the mention of Isabella's name, both men strained to listen.

Despite Isabella and Nathaniel's frequent public appearances over the past six months, Oliver never believed the Graves family would seriously consider her as a daughter-in-law.

YodaVision's meteoric rise made Nathaniel one of the most eligible bachelors in the country.

With his wealth, looks, and pedigree, he could have any woman.

Why would he choose a divorced single mother with no notable family connections or extraordinary talents?

Yet Melissa's tone suggested genuine approval. Oliver turned to Julian in disbelief. "Have the Graves lost their minds?"