Chapter 89

The worst part? It wasn't just any ordinary sedative.

Alexander had recognized its effects immediately. He must not have touched the soup at all last night. Isabella never expected Eleanor to resort to such measures.

She opened her mouth to protest, but Eleanor sighed dramatically before she could speak. "Sometimes having a grandson who's too clever is troublesome. I was hoping for another great-grandchild. Isabella dear, do try harder with Alexander, won't you?"

Isabella's words died in her throat.

Even though Alexander had agreed to help her yesterday, she knew their relationship had no future.

Last night could have been disastrous. Another child? Absolutely impossible.

Just then, Sophia came bounding down the stairs.

Isabella's expression cooled slightly at the sight of her daughter, reminded of Sophia's obvious admiration for Victoria.

During breakfast, Alexander casually took the seat beside Isabella again.

Neither initiated conversation.

Yesterday, Isabella had taken Sophia to school. Today, the girl requested her father's company.

"Alright," Alexander agreed.

Eleanor immediately suggested, "Why don't you take Isabella along? You both work at—"

"No need," Isabella interrupted. "He's always in meetings. I don't have a car anyway."

Eleanor waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense! Just call the driver when you finish work."

Before Isabella could protest further, Eleanor declared, "It's settled."

Isabella glanced at Alexander, who remained silent—his tacit agreement.

After breakfast, Isabella found herself in Alexander's car with Sophia.

Sophia climbed in eagerly, thrilled to have both parents taking her today.

Isabella couldn't remember the last time she'd ridden in Alexander's vehicle.

As she moved to enter after Sophia, Alexander suddenly spoke. "Other side."

Isabella froze mid-step, then wordlessly circled the car as the driver opened the opposite door.

Now Sophia sat between them.

Alexander was engrossed in his phone, typing rapidly.

Sophia peeked over his shoulder. "Oh! It's Victoria!"

Alexander merely hummed in response.

Perhaps remembering Isabella's presence, Sophia shot her several quick glances before falling silent about the messages.

Bored, Sophia soon climbed out of Alexander's lap and opened the car's storage compartment. Isabella didn't mean to look, but her peripheral vision caught the contents.

A tube of lipstick. A designer clutch. Sophia's tiny backpack from last summer. The first two items clearly belonged to Victoria.

Suddenly, Isabella understood why Alexander had redirected her seating. That spot was reserved for Victoria—she wasn't permitted to take the other woman's place.