Chapter 459

The moment Isabella and Vivian left, Victoria stood frozen in place for what felt like an eternity, unable to snap out of her daze.

It wasn’t until Eleanor, who had been waiting inside The Grandeur, called to hurry her along that she finally blinked back to reality.

She hung up, stepped inside, and took her seat, her face unnaturally pale.

Eleanor frowned.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Victoria shook her head.

“Nothing.”

Her voice was faint, as if all the strength had been drained from her.

Her entire demeanor was distant, her gaze unfocused, as if her soul had left her body.

Something was clearly wrong.

Eleanor’s concern deepened.

Not long after Isabella returned home from dinner, her phone buzzed with a message from Alexander.

"An urgent matter has come up in Willowbrook. My return to Fairview will be delayed by a few days."

Isabella read it and exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling up inside her.

But given that she had canceled their last planned meeting just weeks ago, she had no right to complain.

Still, if there was a next time…

She tossed her phone aside and headed for the shower.

The next morning, Isabella returned to work at NovaTech as usual.

Kieran Blackwood smiled when he saw her.

“You’re back?”

Isabella nodded.

“Yeah.”

Since Kieran had joined NovaTech, Isabella had already taken multiple extended leaves.

When Nathaniel had mentioned she was dealing with personal matters, Kieran had wondered what could possibly take so long.

Now, he assumed it must have been related to her divorce.

With a child involved, custody negotiations alone could drag on for months.

He just wasn’t sure if she had finalized things yet.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Isabella settled back into her work.

Three days later, she still hadn’t heard from Alexander—but she did receive a call from his mother, Catherine.

"Eleanor has been admitted to Central Hospital. Severe influenza, compounded by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure. She’s asking for you."

There was no time to process the shock.

Isabella grabbed her bag and rushed to the hospital.

When she arrived, Victoria Whitmore, Henry, Catherine, and Richard were already gathered outside the emergency room.

Victoria pursed her lips and said nothing.

Catherine remained silent as well.

Only Henry acknowledged her.

“Isabella.”

Isabella didn’t respond immediately.

Instead, she asked, “What’s the latest update?”

Henry answered, “She’s still in emergency care. No change yet.”

Richard, aware that Isabella and Alexander hadn’t officially divorced, greeted her politely.

“Mrs. Whitmore.”

Isabella listened, then gave a slight nod.

Richard continued, “I’ve contacted Mr. Whitmore and Sophia. They’ve booked a flight and should be back tonight.”

Isabella replied, “Alright.”

Under the circumstances, even Victoria, who normally despised her, didn’t bother picking a fight.

After Richard finished speaking, the hallway fell into tense silence.

The wait stretched on, agonizingly slow.

Finally, the emergency room doors opened.

Isabella, Catherine, and the others surged forward.

“Doctor, how is she?”

The doctor removed his mask.

“We’ve stabilized her, but her condition remains critical. Recovery will depend on her own strength and willpower now.”