Chapter 388

Alexander turned to Nathaniel with a casual smile. "Since you're already here, why not stay and join our discussion?"

Nathaniel nodded. "Of course."

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Alexander refocused on Walter, Theodore, and the others. "Where did we leave off?"

Theodore responded, "We were discussing protocol for handling foreign probes entering our territory."

Hearing this, Victoria's mind began racing.

Alexander's eyes sparkled as he turned to Isabella. "What's your take on this? Bella, any brilliant ideas?"

Neither Theodore nor Isabella had fully considered the scenario before Nathaniel and Victoria arrived.

Now that Alexander posed the question again, both hesitated momentarily.

When Victoria heard Alexander use Isabella's nickname, her attention snapped.

Bella? He addressed her so familiarly.

More unsettling was how Alexander's gaze softened whenever he looked at Isabella—genuine admiration shining through.

Victoria's fingers twitched involuntarily.

Just then, Isabella spoke up. "We could seize control of the probe and return it intact."

The moment the words left her lips, Alexander and Theodore burst into laughter.

Theodore's eyes lit up with realization, and he gave Isabella an approving thumbs-up.

Alexander didn't immediately evaluate the idea. Instead, his voice warmed. "You're that confident in your team's capabilities?"

Isabella paused, then shrugged. "It's... manageable?"

Walter chuckled. "True experts never doubt their abilities."

Alexander grinned. "Exactly."

Salzburg had always prioritized diplomacy, maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring nations.

Whether the intrusion was intentional or accidental, returning the probe would prevent unnecessary conflict.

On the surface, the approach appeared courteous—but in reality, it was a masterclass in demonstrating technological dominance.

Successfully hijacking another nation's probe without triggering its self-destruct mechanism would prove Salzburg's overwhelming technical superiority.

The offending party would be furious—but more importantly, wary.

Initially, Victoria didn't grasp the brilliance of Isabella's suggestion.

But as Alexander and the others dissected the technical implications, realization dawned. Isabella's solution wasn't just diplomatic—it was a strategic power play.

This...

She hadn't even considered that angle.

Victoria's expression darkened.

But even if Isabella spoke with such conviction—could she actually deliver?

Or had the international acclaim for her research paper inflated her ego to delusional heights?

As these thoughts swirled, Victoria caught Nathaniel's faint smile—as if he, too, admired Isabella's proposal.

Her breath hitched.

Did he actually believe in her—

Theodore's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "Nathaniel, you seem to share Bella's perspective?"

Nathaniel nodded. "I do."

Before Victoria could process this, Theodore pressed further. "Walk us through the strategic advantages."

Nathaniel outlined the key benefits with clinical precision.

Only after his explanation did Victoria fully comprehend the depth of the plan—extending beyond mere technology into geopolitical chess.

Meanwhile, Theodore, Alexander, and Nathaniel had instantly recognized all these layers the moment Isabella finished speaking.

But Victoria needed it spelled out.

Theodore's amused voice snapped her back to reality. "Ms. Kensington, you've been frowning for a while. Something unclear?"

Though his tone was light, the barb landed.

Heat flooded Victoria's cheeks.

Still, she forced composure. "Yes. I've just caught up with everyone's reasoning."