Chapter 495

Kieran Blackwood had also joined this round of system testing.

Isabella Sinclair didn't expect to see him here.

Her eyes paused on him briefly.

Kieran seemed equally surprised to find her with Alexander Whitmore.

Noticing her gaze, he turned away with deliberate indifference.

Isabella offered a faint smile at his coldness.

Her presence here wasn't about accompanying Alexander to Edinburgh.

She had her own business trip scheduled elsewhere.

"It's about time," she told Alexander. "I should get going now."

"I'll walk you over," he offered.

Isabella smiled lightly. "No need. It's just a few steps. Handle your business—I'll call after I land."

"Alright," he said.

Their exchange drew murmurs from both NovaTech and Fleming Group staff.

People quietly remarked on their apparent closeness.

Nathaniel Graves gave a soft, mocking laugh.

Isabella remained silent, her expression unreadable.

After greeting a few Fleming Group employees, she turned and left.

She didn't glance at Nathaniel or Isabella on her way out.

On the plane, Isabella and Alexander ended up seated across the aisle from each other.

Nathaniel needed to discuss matters with Sebastian Hayes.

Noticing their proximity, he asked quietly, "Will this be alright?"

Isabella shook her head. "It's fine."

Kieran sat beside her.

After settling in, he leaned over to speak with her in low tones.

His line of sight naturally included Alexander across the aisle.

Alexander sat with his phone, eyes fixed on the screen.

From takeoff to landing, he and Isabella didn't exchange a single word.

Only when he occasionally noticed her speaking with Kieran did his eyes flick over briefly.

Then he turned away again.

They arrived in Edinburgh and went straight to work that afternoon.

Their schedule was tight.

Since they'd arrived late, the day's tasks wrapped up past eight in the evening.

Progress hadn't gone smoothly.

Back at the hotel, Isabella continued working.

She sorted things out until past eleven.

Finally satisfied with her progress, she headed into the bathroom for a shower.

She had just finished when the doorbell rang.

Glancing at the display screen, she saw who stood outside.

Her hand, still towel-drying her hair, stilled momentarily.

After a brief hesitation, she walked over and opened the door.

"What is it?"

Her hair remained damp, strands falling over her shoulders.

Water droplets trailed down her slender neck into the collar of her robe.

Alexander's eyes flicked over her once before looking away.

"It's Sophia. She called."

He held out his phone.

Isabella took it and answered right there.

"Sophia?"

"Mom, I'm buying you a present! I didn't know what you'd like, and I couldn't reach you..."

Sophia chattered cheerfully over the line.

Isabella understood immediately.

"I see. I've been busy today. My phone must have died—I missed your calls. I'll check it soon. I'll let you know once I've picked."

"Okay!" Sophia hung up quickly.

Isabella handed the phone back to Alexander.

He gave a small nod. "Goodnight."

He was about to leave when Kieran appeared down the hall.

Kieran froze when he saw her standing there with Alexander.