Chapter 397

Isabella Sinclair and Victoria Kensington attended the same symposium at Yardley University that day, yet they never exchanged a single word.

By mid-afternoon, Isabella and Nathaniel Graves were preparing to leave campus.

As Theodore Sinclair and the university chancellor escorted them out, Theodore extended another invitation. "There's another seminar this Saturday. Would you both—"

Isabella froze mid-step when her gaze accidentally landed on Eleanor Kensington standing nearby.

She quickly averted her eyes, pressed her lips together, and replied, "I'm afraid I have prior commitments this Saturday. I won't be able to attend."

After bidding farewell to Theodore and the chancellor, Nathaniel finally spoke once their car pulled away. "You seemed troubled back there. What happened?"

He'd noticed her subtle shift in demeanor when Saturday's event was mentioned, particularly when she'd spotted Eleanor.

Isabella lowered her gaze. "Saturday is my mother's birthday."

Nathaniel fell silent.

The Kensington and Sinclair family feud had confined Evelyn Sinclair to a nursing home for years. No wonder Isabella reacted that way when facing Eleanor and Victoria earlier.

After a long pause, he asked carefully, "How do you feel about the Kensingtons now?"

Isabella's hands clenched into fists. "I won't let them get away with what they did. But—"

But with Alexander Whitmore protecting them now, even with YodaVision's success, taking them down would be nearly impossible.

Nathaniel understood without her saying it. "Justice finds its way eventually. The opportunity will come. Don't lose hope."

Isabella nodded silently.

On Saturday, after baking a birthday cake with Charles Sinclair, Isabella drove to the nursing home.

Though it hadn't been long since their last visit, Evelyn looked noticeably thinner.

Evelyn remained detached, oblivious to her daughter's presence or the birthday celebration around her.

Watching the staff cheerfully sing happy birthday while Evelyn sat unresponsive made Isabella and Margaret feel like their hearts were being ripped apart.

The nursing home director approached them.

Seeing their distress, her expression softened. After hesitating, she said, "We ran tests this morning... Evelyn's health has deteriorated significantly. Multiple organ failure is beginning—"

Everyone paled.

"What? How?"

The director explained, "Years of emotional trauma and poor appetite have taken their toll. Her immune system is dangerously weak now. If this continues—"

The unspoken prognosis hung heavy in the air.

Margaret nearly collapsed.

Back home, Margaret locked herself in her room, devastated. But life, however painful, had to continue.

As evening fell, though no one had an appetite, they needed to eat.

Isabella grabbed her phone and drove to the supermarket.

She mechanically selected groceries. At checkout, someone called her name.

Turning, she saw Sophia Whitmore.

Isabella gave a faint nod.

Sophia smiled at first, then frowned at Isabella's expression. "Are you alright?"

Isabella shook her head, unwilling to speak.

After paying, she picked up her bags to leave when Sophia hesitantly added, "Mr. Whitmore is dining at the Kensington residence tonight..."

Meaning Alexander was having dinner with Victoria's family.

Isabella's grip tightened on the bags, but her expression remained neutral. She simply nodded and left without another word.

That evening, the Sinclair household was shrouded in gloom.

Later, Isabella retreated to her room with a book.

It wasn't until nearly 11 PM that she checked her dead phone.

After plugging it in, she showered.

Returning, she saw multiple missed calls—including one from Jonathan Blackwood.

She called him back first.

Jonathan answered immediately.

"Ms. Sinclair, Mr. Whitmore's lawyer just called. All asset paperwork is complete. You can officially file for divorce now."