Chapter 388

Daniel's gaze held a storm of emotions as he forced a polite smile, mirroring Olivia's formal tone though it clearly pained him. "Ms. Kensington. I didn't mean to delay you. It's been too long since we last met. Perhaps we could... catch up? How have you been?"

Olivia's lips curved into a brighter smile as she shook Isabelle's small hand gently.

The perceptive child immediately understood her mother's cue and turned to Daniel with an angelic grin. "Hello, Mr. Bennett."

Daniel's eyes lingered on Isabelle's cherubic face, a wistful expression crossing his features. "She's your miniature replica, especially those expressive eyes."

Isabelle tilted her head curiously, her pigtails swaying. "How do you know what Mommy looked like when she was little?"

Olivia answered with maternal patience, "We grew up together. He's like family to us - you can think of him as your uncle."

The careful distance Olivia maintained only deepened Daniel's anguish. The realization that any romantic future with her was impossible twisted like a knife in his chest.

Daniel's voice cracked with emotion. "If I'm family, why the formalities? You never called Alexander 'Mr. Hayes.'"

Olivia's forehead creased in response, but before she could explain, the sharp click of stilettos interrupted them. Victoria approached with regal grace, her beauty undimmed though her eyes held an arctic chill. She possessively looped her arm through Daniel's, deliberately flashing her wedding ring at Olivia.

Victoria's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Have I arrived at an inconvenient moment?"

Despite the pleasant tone, Olivia detected the venom beneath the words.

Seizing the opportunity, Olivia extended her hand warmly. "Not at all. I was actually hoping to invite you both to dinner after my return. Though I've been terribly busy - my apologies for the delayed invitation."

She then gestured to her daughter with maternal pride. "This is Isabelle. When might we expect your own happy news?"

The innocent child added cheerfully, "Mommy, if he's Uncle Daniel, does that make this pretty lady Auntie Victoria?"

Before Olivia could respond, Victoria jerked her hand away as if burned, her lips twisting into a sneer.

Victoria's gaze raked over Isabelle with disdain. "Already learning to network, I see. The apple doesn't fall far."

Daniel's face darkened instantly. "That's completely uncalled for! How could you speak to a child like that?"

Victoria's eyes blazed with fury, her voice dropping to an icy whisper. "Daniel! You swore you'd moved on from Olivia. Then why leap to defend her daughter? I've watched how you've been staring at her since she arrived!"

Daniel's jaw tightened. "She's like a sister to me. You're the one making this into something it's not!"

The tension between them crackled like static before a storm.