Chapter 234: Preparing For The Gala

That Friday afternoon, Isobel left the office earlier than usual.

The Dalton family was hosting a charity gala that evening, and she still had to go home, change, and prepare.

Morgan, meanwhile, had left that morning for a business trip, leaving Isobel to attend the event on her own.

The moment she stepped away from her desk, she could already feel the curious glances following her.

A few employees looked at the clock, then at her.

Someone raised an eyebrow.

Another whispered something to a colleague.

Isobel pretended not to notice.

She had already finished everything assigned to her—not just for the day, but for the entire week.

She had more than earned the right to leave early. There was no reason for her to sit around the office just to please people who were determined to judge her anyway.

With her bag in hand, Isobel walked through the R&D hallway.

She had barely turned the corner when she unexpectedly came face-to-face with Claire.

Claire’s gaze immediately dropped to the handbag hanging from Isobel’s arm before returning to her face.

"Isobel, leaving so early?"

There was nothing openly hostile in her voice, but the pointed look she gave Isobel made the question anything but innocent.

Isobel offered her a polite smile.

"Yes. I have a social function to attend tonight."

"The boss is away, and you’re leaving early too?"

This time, Claire didn’t bother hiding the sarcasm.

Isobel’s smile faded slightly.

"I came in early this morning," she said calmly. "And I’ve already finished everything I needed to do today."

Claire gave a small, dismissive hum.

"Of course."

She folded her arms.

"Must be nice. The moment Morgan is away, you get to take advantage of the situation."

Isobel’s brows drew together.

"Take advantage?"

"Don’t misunderstand me." Claire’s smile was thin. "I’m only saying that some people seem to have special privileges around here."

The implication hung heavily between them.

Claire’s words were clearly meant to be a jab.

Isobel’s expression immediately turned cold.

"What exactly are you implying?"

The words slipped out before Isobel could stop herself.

She had worked hard enough to finish an entire week’s worth of tasks. She had every right to leave early, and she wasn’t about to let anyone make her feel guilty for it.

Claire raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence.

"What? I’m not implying anything." A mocking smile tugged at her lips. "Why are you getting so defensive? Unless..." She paused deliberately. "You’re feeling guilty?"

Isobel’s lips pressed into a thin line. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

So that was what Claire was trying to do—provoke her.

But Isobel refused to take the bait.

She didn’t owe anyone an explanation.

Least of all Claire.

Just as she was about to speak, a voice suddenly came from the creative room.

"Claire!"

Dean stood by the doorway of the R&D Creative Room, waving her over.

"Come here for a minute."

Claire looked toward Dean, then back at Isobel.

A smug smile appeared on her face.

"You’re lucky someone called me."

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a deliberately mocking whisper.

"Otherwise, I would’ve made sure everyone here understood exactly what kind of person you are... feeling so entitled."

Isobel’s face tightened.

Claire straightened, looking pleased with herself.

"But don’t worry. We can continue this conversation another time."

With one last knowing smile, she turned and walked away.

Isobel remained where she was, her fingers tightening around the strap of her handbag.

Claire hadn’t needed to raise her voice.

That was what made the humiliation worse.

Isobel took a slow breath. There was no point arguing.

She turned toward the elevator and pressed the button.

The doors opened with a soft chime.

Isobel stepped inside and faced forward, refusing to look back.

But as the doors began sliding shut, she heard the voices behind her.

"She’s getting arrogant."

Another employee lowered her voice, but not enough.

"Of course she is. The boss likes her."

A quiet laugh followed.

"I know. She really thinks she’s special now."

Then came the words that made Isobel’s fingers curl around the strap of her handbag.

"What a cunning woman."

The elevator doors finally closed, cutting off the voices.

Only then did Isobel allow her expression to fall.

She stared at her reflection in the polished elevator doors, her eyes stinging with hurt.

She had done nothing wrong.

Yet somehow, no matter how hard she tried, she was always made to feel as though she had stolen something simply by being loved by Morgan.

The elevator began its descent.

Isobel swallowed the lump in her throat and straightened her shoulders.

She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing how much their words stung.

...

Back at the Foster Manor, Isobel had barely stepped into her room when someone knocked on the door.

It was Kristine.

She stood there with a worried expression, her usual lively demeanor nowhere to be seen.

"Isobel, Sis..." She hesitated before speaking. "Kit has a slight fever. I don’t think I can go with you tonight."

There was a trace of guilt in her voice, as though she felt she was letting Isobel down.

Isobel immediately shook her head.

"Don’t worry about it. I can manage on my own."

Her gaze instinctively shifted toward the nursery across the hallway. Even with the door closed, she could picture little Kit lying inside, probably fussy and uncomfortable.

"But I’m worried about Kit..."

"It looks like he’s just teething." Kristine quickly reassured her, cutting her off before she could worry any further. "It’s nothing serious. He is just a bit fussy."

"Hurry and get dressed. Mom and Dad’s appointment should be over within an hour. They’ll come straight here and join you."

Kristine still didn’t move.

She lingered by the doorway, her fingers nervously twisting together.

Isobel immediately understood.

Kristine wanted to go with her, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave Kit while he was sick.

Isobel gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don’t worry about me. Kit’s health is more important." She glanced toward the nursery again. "I’ll check on him before I leave."

Only then did some of the tension leave Kristine’s face.

"Okay."

Isobel watched her turn toward the nursery, and a faint smile touched her lips.

No matter how busy their lives became, some things would always come first.

Family.