Chapter 339

Alexander didn't bother engaging with Nathaniel.

Isabella remained equally silent.

No one acknowledged his presence, yet Nathaniel showed no sign of discomfort. Noticing Isabella's teacup was nearly empty, he reached for the teapot and refilled both hers and Alexander's cups.

Throughout tea and lunch, Isabella's conversations were reserved for Charles and Sophia.

It was unclear whether Nathaniel sensed her reluctance to speak with him or simply had nothing to say himself.

By afternoon, as they prepared to leave the Montgomery estate, Isabella realized she and Alexander hadn't exchanged a single word despite sharing the same space for nearly four hours.

Charles noticed it too.

But Alexander showed no interest in breaking the silence, and Isabella had long since stopped trying.

Charles hadn't invited them today to play mediator. Since neither seemed inclined to bridge the gap, he saw no reason to intervene.

Sophia tugged at Isabella's sleeve. "Are you coming home tonight, Mom?"

She added softly, "It's been so long since you've stayed with us."

Charles sighed quietly at the question.

Alexander remained expressionless.

Isabella gently cupped Sophia's face. "I have plans tonight, sweetheart. I won't be coming home."

"Oh..." Sophia's shoulders slumped. "Are you going back to Grandma's? Or another business trip? I called you last week but couldn't get through. When I went to Grandma's house, she said you were traveling for work."

Isabella hadn't known about Sophia's visit to the Sinclair residence.

She had indeed planned to have dinner with Margaret and the family later.

The thought of Sophia going there alone just to see her made Isabella hesitate.

"I'm heading to Grandma's tonight," she found herself saying. "Would you like to join me?"

"Yes!"

Sophia's face lit up instantly—she'd been afraid her mother would disappear into work again.

Isabella glanced at Alexander, who immediately understood. "So you're staying at Grandma's tonight too?"

"Uh-huh!"

Alexander smiled. "I'll have someone pick you up from school tomorrow."

"No!" Sophia protested quickly. "I want to go back to Grandma's after school tomorrow too."

Alexander chuckled, his eyes flickering to Isabella. "That's not my decision to make—you'll have to ask your mom."

Sophia wrapped her arms around Isabella's waist. "Are you leaving Grandma's again tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Oh..."

After finalizing arrangements, they exchanged pleasantries with Charles before departing.

The next morning, after dropping Sophia at school, Isabella headed to work.

The elevator doors opened to reveal Alexander and his assistant, Daniel. The three rode up in silence, maintaining their carefully constructed facade of strangers.

Around 11 AM, Alexander left the building. Shortly after, Nathaniel stopped by upon hearing of Isabella's return.

As their meeting concluded, Isabella recalled the morning's awkward elevator ride. "Is the deal with Whitmore Industries still pending?"

"It's finalized," Nathaniel replied. "But there were complications regarding responsibility allocation. He came by to renegotiate some terms."