Chapter 336

For a heartbeat, Victoria thought her vision was playing tricks on her.

But the scene before her was too real to deny.

Isabella was walking hand in hand with Lily, while Julian gazed at her with that unmistakable warmth in his eyes.

This wasn’t an illusion. This wasn’t a dream.

Isabella was here—with them.

The way they moved together so naturally, how it was Isabella holding Lily’s hand instead of Julian—

This wasn’t their first time sharing a meal as a trio.

A realization struck Victoria like lightning.

Could Isabella be the woman Lily had been gushing about?

No. Impossible. That made no sense.

Then her traitorous mind dredged up the memory from last year. When Julian had come to InnovaTech for that meeting, he’d sought Isabella out to speak with her privately.

And at recent events, whenever Isabella and Nathaniel were present, Julian never just exchanged pleasantries and moved on. He lingered.

Victoria had assumed it was out of respect for Nathaniel’s position.

Now? She wasn’t so sure.

Could Julian actually have feelings for Isabella?

No.

Absolutely not.

Victoria stood frozen, refusing to accept what her instincts screamed at her.

Julian had known Isabella for years. If she were his type, he would’ve noticed her long ago. Why now?

Besides, what was so special about Isabella anyway?

Maybe she was overthinking this.

Even if Isabella was the woman Lily adored, that didn’t mean Julian was involved. Right?

Reginald, noticing Victoria’s stillness, approached. "Are you alright, Victoria?"

Victoria snapped back to reality. She shook her head. "I’m fine."

"Let’s go inside."

"Alright."

The next morning at 8 AM, Julian’s phone rang. It was Isabella.

When he arrived at the address she’d sent, she was already waiting outside, holding a cake box in one hand and an oversized stuffed bunny in the other.

The moment she spotted him, she handed them over.

Julian accepted them, eyeing the cake. "You must’ve been up early—this looks homemade."

She had, in fact, been awake since before dawn.

But all Isabella said was, "I went to bed early. It was no trouble."

"Thank you. Lily will love this." His gratitude was genuine. The effort she’d put in was obvious.

He glanced at the modest apartment building behind her. "Is this where you’re staying now?"

He knew she’d moved out of Alexander’s place but hadn’t known where until now.

"Yes," Isabella said. "But I’m in a hurry. I should go."

Julian nodded. "Of course."

Isabella turned and walked back toward the building.

Julian didn’t look away until she disappeared inside. Only then did he get into his car.

Since Sophia wanted to celebrate Lily’s birthday, Alexander had reserved a private dining room at The Grandeur. That afternoon, when Lily came home from school and saw Isabella’s handmade cake and the giant bunny plush, her face lit up.

She was so thrilled she refused to let go of the toy, clutching it all the way to the restaurant.

When Julian and Lily arrived, Alexander, Victoria, and Sophia were already there.

As Julian opened the door to the private room, Victoria’s gaze locked onto the stuffed bunny in Lily’s arms. She recognized it instantly—the same one she’d seen Isabella carrying at the mall two days ago.

So Isabella really was the mysterious woman Lily kept mentioning?

Lily was practically glowing with excitement. She barely stepped inside before rushing to Sophia, holding out the plush like a trophy.

"Look what I got for my birthday, Soph! Isn’t it the cutest?"