Chapter 9

Alexander's face darkened as he accused Isabella of abusing her position. "This isn't the professional attitude expected of you, Ms. Sinclair. Do you think this is acceptable behavior?"

Isabella picked up her bag, unfazed. "If you're unhappy, you're welcome to terminate my employment immediately."

"You—" Alexander began, though he knew she had already submitted her resignation.

Despite having Alexander's trust, the company wasn't his to command. He couldn't fire her on the spot.

Besides, Eleanor favored Isabella. If she complained to Whitmore Manor, Alexander knew he wouldn’t escape unscathed, even with Alexander’s backing.

Without waiting for a response, Isabella walked past him and left.

Alexander's face flushed with anger as he stormed out of the office.

Benjamin noticed his sour expression. "What happened?"

Alexander recounted the exchange.

Benjamin frowned. He had worked closely with Isabella and knew her character well. "That doesn’t sound like her. Are you sure there wasn’t a misunderstanding?"

"No misunderstanding," Alexander snapped. "She’s clearly exploiting her position. She’s not the person you think she is."

Benjamin hesitated. "Maybe she’s acting out because she’s already resigned?"

But Isabella had been as diligent as ever lately, showing no signs of change.

Just then, Alexander approached. "What’s going on?"

"Ms. Sinclair left without completing her tasks," Alexander reported.

"If you’re dissatisfied, terminate her employment according to company protocol," Alexander said coldly, uninterested.

Benjamin and Daniel exchanged glances, surprised. Alexander’s indifference wasn’t shocking—he had always been detached regarding Isabella.

What caught them off guard was his apparent unawareness that she had already resigned. Hadn’t he been the one who wanted her gone? Had they misread the situation?

Before they could speak further, Alexander’s phone rang—Victoria was calling.

Without a backward glance, he walked toward the elevator. "I’m leaving now. I’ll be there soon."

Benjamin and Daniel watched him go, puzzled.

"Maybe he forgot?" Benjamin suggested.

"Possible," Daniel agreed. After all, Alexander had never shown much concern for Isabella’s affairs.

Meanwhile, Isabella was on her way to Margaret’s house.

Sophia had always been close to Margaret. Whenever she visited, Isabella would bring her along.

But since returning, Sophia hadn’t called once. Instead, she constantly reached out to Victoria, missing her after just days apart.

Because of this, Isabella saw no reason to force Sophia to come. Besides, Margaret would be heartbroken if she knew how attached Sophia had become to Victoria.

So Isabella went alone.

Traffic was heavy, and by the time she arrived, it was past six.

Margaret’s face brightened when she saw her, but her expression darkened as she cupped Isabella’s face. "You’ve lost weight."

Isabella lowered her gaze. "Work has been busy."

Margaret sighed. "No matter how busy, you must eat properly."

"I will, Granny," Isabella promised.

She leaned against Margaret, soaking in her warmth.

When the lamb stew was nearly ready, Margaret instructed the staff to serve Isabella a bowl to warm her up. Listening to her grandmother’s kind words, Isabella felt tears prick her eyes, thinking of everything that had happened.

Afraid of worrying her, she quickly composed herself. "Are Aunt Caroline and the others still traveling?"

"Yes. They decided to extend their trip another week," Margaret replied.

"And Uncle Charles? Another business dinner tonight?"

"When he heard you were coming, he canceled his plans. He should be back soon."

As if on cue, Charles walked in, smiling. "Isabella, you’re here!" Then, frowning, he added, "You’ve lost weight. Haven’t you been eating?"

Isabella laughed softly. "Just busy. I’ll eat more tonight, I promise."

Satisfied, Charles piled meat onto her plate during dinner. Though he commented on her weight loss, Isabella noticed he looked exhausted too.

Though she didn’t work at Sinclair Corp, she knew it was struggling. Charles had been overwhelmed, unable to pull the business back from the brink.

Over the years, several projects could have been saved with Alexander’s help. Except for Eleanor’s intervention twice, he had done nothing.

Isabella bitterly thought that if not for Eleanor, Alexander might have actively sabotaged Sinclair Corp, given his misconceptions about her.

The thought made the lamb stew in her mouth turn bland.

Charles had never pressured her to ask Alexander for help, even when the family desperately needed it.

After dinner, while Margaret dozed off, Isabella handed Charles a bank card with seven million dollars.

"Charles, there’s no need—"

"It’s not much use to me." She pressed the card into his hand firmly. "This is all I can do for now."

Though brilliant in academics and research, she knew she wasn’t cut out for business.

Thankfully, her early AI work had earned her patents, and the tech company she co-founded with Nathaniel provided annual dividends. Even without lifting a finger, she received tens of millions each year.

Charles looked ashamed. "You’ve already given so much, yet the company..."

It was barely surviving.

"I’m the one who’s failed," he muttered.

"Transitioning a business takes time and resources. Don’t blame yourself," Isabella reassured. She recalled Nathaniel’s words during their recent meeting—had she not left to marry, their company might already be worth hundreds of billions, leading the industry.

There was still room to grow. He hoped she’d return soon.

If she could regain her former skills and help the company thrive, she’d be in a better position to support her family.

By the time Alexander returned home, it was past ten.

Sophia rubbed her eyes sleepily. "You’re finally back, Dad."

"Yeah. Go to bed if you’re tired."

"Okay. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

After Sophia went upstairs, Alexander drank the water Richard handed him and headed up.

The master bedroom was dark, seemingly empty.

He paused, then turned on the light.

No one was there.