Chapter 41

The private dining room at The Grandeur was already occupied when Alexander and Oliver arrived. Victoria Kensington and Sophia Whitmore were waiting for them.

Victoria arched an eyebrow. "You're in an unusually good mood today."

Oliver chuckled. "Just ran into someone rather amusing earlier."

After dinner, Alexander and Sophia returned home.

Sophia bounded up the stairs the moment they entered, calling out excitedly, "Mom! Mom!"

Margaret Dawson emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Mrs. Whitmore hasn't returned yet."

Sophia's face fell. "Again? She's been so busy lately." With a pout, she trudged upstairs.

Noticing Alexander's stillness, Margaret inquired, "Mr. Whitmore?"

He shook his head. "Nothing." Then followed his daughter upstairs.

That night, Alexander realized Isabella hadn't come home.

Next morning, Sophia woke up expecting her mother's signature breakfast. Seeing the ordinary spread on the table, she frowned. "Mom didn't make breakfast?"

"Mrs. Whitmore isn't home," Margaret confirmed.

Sophia looked puzzled. "Where did she go? Back to Grandma's place?"

"Perhaps." Margaret didn't dare speculate without confirmation.

Sophia turned to her father. "Dad—"

Alexander replied casually, "Call her yourself if you're curious."

"I'll ask her tonight."

Meanwhile, Isabella headed straight to YodaVision after breakfast.

Nathaniel Graves was about to discuss their new product line when his phone rang.

The caller asked bluntly, "Did your company cross the Whitmores?"

Nathaniel froze, glancing at Isabella before putting the call on speaker. "What?"

"We just intercepted some moves against your company from the Whitmore camp."

Isabella's hands clenched into fists.

Since that disastrous banquet where she'd confronted Victoria, Alexander had been silent. She'd assumed he'd let it go.

How wrong she'd been. He wasn't ignoring it—he'd simply chosen action over words. By targeting her company, he was making clear the price for challenging Victoria.

Nathaniel grasped the situation instantly.

He squeezed Isabella's hand. "Don't worry. Our government connections will protect us."

Isabella nodded stiffly.

Thank God for that. Otherwise—

With Alexander's resources, YodaVision would've been crippled if not destroyed.

He really would move heaven and earth for Victoria.

Nathaniel frowned. "If they can't touch YodaVision, will they go after the Sinclairs?"

Isabella shook her head. "No."

With Eleanor Whitmore still alive, Alexander wouldn't dare strike directly at her family. He still respected his grandmother too much.

"Good."

As evening approached, Sophia called. "Mom, when are you coming home? I'm starving."

"Didn't you ask Margaret to cook?"

"But I want your honey-glazed ribs!" The uneaten dish from last time had become an obsession.

Isabella hesitated.

Before she could respond, Sophia added, "Dad's away on business. It's so boring here. Come home soon."

Alexander was traveling?

Isabella paused. They were divorcing—his whereabouts shouldn't concern her.

But until Sophia turned eighteen, she remained her responsibility.