Chapter 245

The call ended with a sharp click.

Alexander placed his phone on the marble countertop, his gaze fixed on the massive screen broadcasting the Grandeur Technologies press conference. His fingers pressed against his temples, the weight of unspoken worries pressing down.

Across the room, Genevieve reclined on the velvet sofa, idly popping grapes into her mouth. But the sight of Isabella commanding the stage with effortless grace at such a high-profile event made her stomach churn. With a violent jab at the remote, she silenced the television. "Why does she get to stand there?" The words tasted like poison. "She's stealing the spotlight again."

"That's not what matters," Eleanor interjected smoothly.

To her, Isabella was merely riding on Nathaniel's coattails. A speech at a press conference? Meaningless. Just temporary glitter that would soon fade.

The real prize was Grandeur's groundbreaking technology.

That was the true measure of power.

Alexander caught Eleanor's implication immediately.

Yes, Isabella spoke eloquently today. But when it came to Grandeur's proprietary tech, he, Victoria, and Eleanor all knew Nathaniel must have spoon-fed her every word.

There was no way she genuinely understood the complexities.

Penelope disagreed. "Like it or not, she's secured her position with Nathaniel's backing."

Regardless of motives, Isabella had made waves today - and in doing so, brought unexpected benefits to the Sinclair family.

That alone, in Penelope's eyes, proved her capability.

Genevieve couldn't care less about business implications.

She'd noticed Julian's intense focus on Isabella throughout the event.

The way his eyes tracked her every movement - a look he'd never given Genevieve.

If she'd been the one on that stage, she knew his attention would have been hers.

By the time Isabella and Nathaniel exited the hotel, the clock neared 10 PM.

After a grueling day, Isabella's temples throbbed with exhaustion.

On autopilot, she drove toward her usual apartment complex. Only when she parked did she realize her mistake.

No point going back now. The Sinclair estate held nothing for her tonight.

As she stepped out, her phone screen illuminated with multiple missed calls - from family members and Sophia.

Among the notifications, a message from Sophia sent around 8 PM stood out: "When are you coming home?"

Isabella glanced at it briefly before silencing her phone.

Inside her apartment, she moved through her nighttime routine mechanically before collapsing into bed.

Morning came too soon.

She'd barely opened her eyes when Sophia's name flashed across her caller ID.

Isabella considered ignoring it.

The moment the ringing stopped, the Sinclair estate's landline number appeared.

She had no choice but to answer. "Grandmother."

"You didn't return last night, Isabella."

"I was occupied."

Margaret didn't press further, simply passing the phone to Sophia.

"Mommy!"

Isabella responded with a noncommittal hum.

Sophia hadn't anticipated her mother skipping nights at the family home now.

She'd called repeatedly last evening with no response. Waking to find Isabella still absent left her unsettled.

"When are you coming back, Mommy?" The question carried a child's uncomplicated longing.

"Tonight... probably."

A pause.

Then Isabella remembered. "Call your father to arrange your ride to school. I'm busy today."

"Okay." Sophia hesitated. "Mommy, where are you staying? Can I visit after school?"

"No." The refusal came instantly. "I'll be working late. Stay with Grandmother. If you're bored, ask your father to take you out."