Chapter 391

Isabella gave a slight nod and settled onto the sofa near the coffee table.

Alexander turned to his assistant. "Get us some coffee."

Benjamin responded immediately. "Already arranged."

The door opened as Olivia entered with a tray of coffee cups.

Her steps faltered when she saw Isabella. "Ms. Sinclair?"

Olivia had replaced Isabella at Whitmore Enterprises after her departure. They hadn't crossed paths since.

Isabella offered a polite smile. "It's been a while."

"Indeed it has." Olivia returned the smile but kept it brief, sensing the professional setting wasn't appropriate for small talk.

She carefully placed the coffee before both Isabella and Alexander. As she turned to leave, she suddenly remembered something and turned back to deliver a quick work update.

Alexander listened briefly before responding. "Understood. I'll be available after two. Have him come by then."

"Of course."

Olivia gave Isabella another polite nod before exiting quickly.

Isabella watched her go, absently stirring her coffee.

As head of the executive support team, Olivia's direct access to Alexander's office was standard procedure.

But during Isabella's tenure in the same position, she'd been restricted to communicating only through Alexander's two personal assistants.

In her entire two-year tenure, she'd only been permitted in Alexander's office when Daniel and Benjamin were swamped - and even then, just to deliver beverages.

Direct work reports? Never.

Alexander had kept her at arm's length completely.

The memory brought a wry smile to her lips as she took a careful sip.

Before leaving the company, Olivia had begged her for coffee-making lessons, which Isabella had provided in detail.

The first sip told her Olivia hadn't quite replicated her technique. A second taste confirmed it - different, but still excellent.

When she set her cup down, she noticed Alexander drinking his with evident satisfaction.

There was a time when Isabella had taken secret pride in being the only one who could make coffee to Alexander's exacting standards.

Now?

Just coffee. Preferences changed. Nothing significant.

Looking back, her younger self seemed almost laughably naive.

Alexander's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Did Nathaniel brief you on our last discussion points?"

"Yes." Isabella straightened. "We can resume where you left off."

"Good." He nodded. "Regarding the mixed-precision architecture we discussed, particularly the parameter scaling issue - your proposed solution was exceptional. I've developed some complementary ideas."

"Of course." Isabella launched into a detailed explanation of their latest inference speed improvements.

Their technical discussion quickly dove into proprietary details of their joint project.

The specialized terminology left Daniel and Benjamin completely lost, reduced to silent observers.

Meanwhile, Alexander and Isabella engaged in rapid-fire technical dialogue.

As their discussion progressed, Daniel noticed something remarkable - Alexander's gaze held genuine professional respect when he looked at Isabella now.

An expression Daniel had never seen directed at her before.

More surprising still - Alexander wasn't just focused. He seemed to be enjoying their exchange, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips.

Daniel exchanged a stunned glance with Benjamin.

After over an hour of intense discussion, Walter and Theodore arrived.

Isabella had met Walter once before.

Theodore she knew better - Nathaniel had introduced them at a tech conference last year after she joined YodaVision.

Theodore, aware she was Frederick's protégé, had sought her out at an exhibition where they'd spoken at length.

He was well acquainted with her professional capabilities, having recently read her published paper.

"Ms. Sinclair, what a pleasure." Theodore greeted her warmly.

"Theodore, always good to see you."

After brief pleasantries, they dove straight into business.

They were deep in discussion when the door suddenly opened.

Victoria stood frozen in the doorway.

Isabella's expression remained perfectly neutral.

Realizing the meeting in progress, Victoria quickly apologized. "My apologies - I didn't realize you were in session. The office seemed empty so I didn't knock—"

Both Walter and Theodore knew of Victoria's relationship with Alexander.

As his girlfriend, her unannounced entries were hardly surprising.

They offered polite smiles, clearly unfazed.

Before anyone could speak, Victoria added, "Please don't let me interrupt—"

Walter waved a hand. "We're nearly finished anyway."

Most of the critical agenda items had already been addressed.