Chapter 420

Isabella showed no flicker of surprise when Reginald appeared before her.

The smart traffic initiative was the crown jewel of the Kensington family's tech empire. Yet she'd snatched it from their grasp at the eleventh hour. Did they truly expect her to believe they'd let this slide?

This wouldn't be the last time she struck either.

With the contract signed and the project firmly in AuroraTech's control, the Kensingtons had no legal recourse to reclaim it.

If her instincts were right, Reginald had come crawling with one purpose - to prevent future losses to his family's empire.

And what weapon would he wield? Sentimentality, of course. The cheapest currency of all.

But Isabella had no patience for hollow emotional manipulation.

She spun around, cutting off Reginald's opening words. "I recall that gala last spring quite vividly. Your mother declared before three hundred guests that I was no granddaughter of hers. You've resided in Fairview for eight months now. We've crossed paths at charity events, gallery openings, even the opera."

Her voice turned glacial. "Not once have you introduced me as your daughter in public. So tell me, Mr. Kensington, what exactly do you imagine you could say to me now?"

The truth hung between them like shattered glass - their familial bond existed only in name.

Reginald stiffened. Before he could formulate a response, a dark chuckle echoed from the shadows.

Nathaniel's voice slithered through the tension. "She poses an excellent question. What possible words could justify your neglect, Reginald?"

"This is a private matter between Isabella and-"

"'Isabella'?" Nathaniel's mocking interruption dripped with disdain. "How touching. Yet I don't recall such familiarity when the society pages were watching."

The conversation had reached its natural conclusion. Isabella turned to Nathaniel. "We're leaving."

The absolute indifference in her eyes struck Reginald like a physical blow. His daughter truly saw him as a stranger now.

Without a backward glance, Isabella strode toward the elevators.

Reginald found himself speechless, his carefully rehearsed pleas turning to ash in his mouth.

Nathaniel kept pace beside her, his voice laced with contempt. "The audacity to come begging after publicly disowning you. Pathetic."

Isabella's lips curved without warmth. "I stopped being surprised by them years ago."

When Reginald returned to the Kensington estate, the family descended upon him like vultures.

Eleanor's frown carved deep grooves in her powdered face. "Well? What did she say?"

Reginald shook his head. "She wouldn't even hear me out."

Victoria's manicured nails tapped against her champagne flute. "This was always a long shot. One lost project doesn't mean she can consistently outmaneuver us."

Genevieve snorted. "Exactly. AuroraTech backing her was pure luck. Do we really believe Nathaniel Graves will champion her every whim?"

The unspoken fear hung heavy - Isabella with Nathaniel's resources was unpredictable. Dangerous.

Oliver adjusted his cufflinks. "We simply need better safeguards moving forward. Monitor her activities more closely."

Reginald exhaled sharply. "For now, that's our only option."

The family dispersed, but the tension lingered like storm clouds gathering on the horizon.