Chapter 72

Nathaniel noticed how Isabella greeted the man with familiarity.

That's Julian Montgomery.

Julian? Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. Weren't you two barely acquaintances? How did you end up sharing a table?

His niece fell into the pool earlier. I rescued her, and he came to express gratitude.

Nathaniel gave a curt nod. I see.

Isabella mentioned she was with colleagues. Julian assumed the man who'd greeted her was just another coworker, so he didn't bother turning around.

When Isabella and Nathaniel walked away, Julian finally glanced back. A tall, well-built young man walked beside her.

From the rear view alone, they looked perfectly matched.

Their close proximity and easy body language suggested a comfortable relationship.

Uncle Julian!

Lily's voice snapped him back to reality. Finished eating? Let's return to our room.

Okay! Lily chirped.

Having already eaten, Julian wiped his hands and escorted Lily back.

Isabella returned to her suite intending to read on the balcony when her phone rang. Alexander's name flashed on the screen.

He only called for urgent matters.

After a brief hesitation, she answered coldly. Yes?

Grandmother expects us for dinner tomorrow night.

A pause. Understood.

The line went dead before she could respond.

Isabella couldn't care less about his abruptness.

She set the phone aside, steadied her breathing, and resumed reading.

That night, she slept soundly and woke refreshed at dawn.

The resort gym provided perfect space for her morning run. After cooling down, she decided to enjoy the hot springs again.

A woman in her fifties approached, holding little Lily's hand. Isabella recognized her from yesterday.

Clearly the Montgomery family nanny assigned to care for Lily.

Yesterday's emergency call had distracted the nanny, making her unaware of Lily's disappearance.

Had Isabella not been present when Lily fell into the pool, the consequences would've devastated the nanny.

Profuse thanks poured from the woman's lips.

No need, Isabella replied simply.

She'd assumed Lily would avoid water after yesterday's scare.

Julian must have helped her overcome the fear. Clutching both the nanny's hand and a floatation ring, Lily tentatively dipped her toes before slowly entering.

Moments later, the girl kicked her legs and paddled toward Isabella. Ms. Sinclair?

Isabella turned. Yes?

Lily remained silent but circled her happily, clearly in high spirits.

The nanny smiled. She's taken quite a liking to you.

Isabella offered a polite smile but said nothing.

Team-building activities demanded her presence soon.

Before leaving, she bid Lily farewell.

To her surprise, the child stretched out her arms. Ms. Sinclair, hug!

With no choice, Isabella lifted her from the water.

Wrapped in a dry robe, she carried Lily toward the elevators, planning to part ways at their floor.

As they waited, Julian appeared.

Uncle Julian! Lily beamed.

Julian reached for his niece. Torn between them, Lily kept one arm around Isabella's neck while stretching the other toward Julian.

During the transfer, Lily accidentally tugged Isabella's robe open.

Julian's gaze fell on the sapphire blue lace beneath.

The glimpse of fair skin, delicate curves, and that slender waist proved utterly mesmerizing.