Chapter 39

Sebastian Holloway stormed out of YodaVision headquarters and immediately dialed Victoria Kensington's number.

"Isabella Sinclair joined YodaVision?" His voice was laced with disbelief.

Victoria's response was icy. "Hmm. Didn't you know?"

Sebastian had assumed Victoria orchestrated Isabella's recruitment. Clearly, he was wrong.

"No." Victoria's tone turned sharp. She'd believed Nathaniel Graves refused to hire Isabella out of spite. Now she wondered if Isabella had left Fleming Group entirely.

Sebastian's breath hitched. "Then what was this 'personal reason' you mentioned?"

"Just some unfinished business between us." Victoria's evasion was deliberate.

"But—"

"What's the problem?" Victoria snapped.

The realization hit Sebastian like a freight train. His resignation had nothing to do with Victoria. "How qualified is Isabella anyway? Rumor says she never completed her doctorate."

Victoria's laugh was cruel. "She doesn't even have a master's degree. Just an undergraduate diploma."

"What?" Sebastian nearly dropped his phone.

"Exactly." Victoria's voice dripped with disdain.

The revelation stunned her too. Isabella leaving Fleming Group was one thing. But skipping higher education to jump companies? It showed staggering lack of ambition.

Sebastian regrouped. "Victoria, what's your next move?"

"Training season starts next week. Work can wait." Her focus was absolute.

Sebastian exhaled. Of course. Victoria always compartmentalized perfectly. Somehow she balanced professional chess, equestrian sports, and corporate warfare without breaking stride.

Her ruthless efficiency was what set her apart. If Victoria chose this path, she'd already calculated every variable.

Meanwhile, in Fleming Group's executive suite, Alexander Whitmore barely glanced up from his documents. "Coffee, Daniel."

"Right away, Mr. Whitmore."

Olivia Chambers' hands trembled as she prepared the brew. Following Isabella's meticulous instructions, she measured each component with surgical precision. Daniel delivered the cup without comment.

Alexander stirred absently, then froze. The aroma was wrong.

One sip confirmed it. He slammed the cup down. "Again."

Daniel blinked. "Sir?"

Olivia panicked when the order came. "Another one? The sugar was exact! The temperature—"

"I don't know," Daniel admitted.

Her second attempt fared worse. Alexander rejected it by scent alone.

"What's happening here?" Alexander's voice could frost glass.

Daniel swallowed. "First attempt jitters. Temperature control issues."

Alexander's gaze sharpened. "Olivia? Where's Isabella?"

The silence stretched. "She resigned. Last Thursday."

Alexander's expression didn't change. He'd known about Daniel's complaints, the threatened termination. But this?

He nodded once. Isabella would be back. She always came back.