Chapter 447

The salty ocean breeze carried the sound of children's laughter as Olivia Sinclair watched her daughter play by the shore. She tightened her grip on her phone, still processing Donovan Kensington's reassuring words. "You've done everything possible. Grandfather Alistair will be safe - no one would dare harm a Kensington. Let's keep this between us for now. I'll make all necessary arrangements."

Olivia understood the unspoken weight behind Donovan's calm tone. The entire Kensington family continued their daily routines, blissfully unaware of Alistair's disappearance. She could only imagine the immense pressure Donovan must be shouldering alone.

Meanwhile, little Isabelle remained happily oblivious to the adult concerns. She knelt in the wet sand, her small hands carefully shaping towers and turrets alongside other children. The afternoon sun glinted off her golden curls as she worked with intense concentration.

"Mommy! Look!" Isabelle came running, her bare feet kicking up sand as she tugged Olivia's hand excitedly. "I made our house! The other kids think it's magical!"

Olivia's breath caught when she saw the sandcastle. While not perfectly identical, the structure bore striking resemblance to their villa in Crestwood. The arched doorways, the distinctive balcony - Isabelle had recreated them all with remarkable accuracy.

"You're incredible," Olivia murmured, smoothing Isabelle's wind-tousled hair while masking her surprise. "How did you remember our home so well?"

"It just came to me!" Isabelle beamed, her cheeks flushed with pride. "Like a picture in my head!"

Olivia felt her heart swell. She'd never imagined her daughter might inherit her architectural eye.

"Do you enjoy building things like this?" Olivia asked gently.

Isabelle scrunched her nose in thought before shaking her head. "Then what do you like doing?" Olivia pressed.

Another head shake. "I don't know yet."

"That's perfectly fine," Olivia assured her, kissing Isabelle's forehead. "You'll discover what you love in time. There's no rush." She wanted nothing more than for her daughter to explore the world without pressure.

Their peaceful moment shattered when a loud crash echoed across the beach. Olivia turned to see Isabelle's carefully constructed sandcastle demolished under the foot of a stocky boy. He stood over the ruins with a smug expression. "That was ugly anyway," he declared loudly.

Olivia took Isabelle's trembling hand and approached the boy with measured steps. "Did you destroy my daughter's castle?" Her voice remained calm but carried an edge. "Why would you ruin someone's hard work?"

The boy crossed his arms defiantly. "Because I wanted to. So what?"

Olivia's smile turned icy. Years of martial arts training abroad had given her more than just business skills. In one fluid motion, she seized the boy's collar, her grip deceptively strong for her slender frame.

"Let go! You can't do this!" the boy squirmed, his bravado crumbling as he realized he couldn't break free.

No bystanders intervened - they'd all witnessed his destructive act. "I'll release you when you learn some manners," Olivia stated coolly.

The boy's face turned red, tears welling in his eyes as he stopped struggling. Olivia set him down but kept a firm hand on his shoulder. "Now apologize."

"Why should I?" he muttered, though his defiance wavered.

Olivia's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Would you prefer another lesson in respect?"

The boy gulped visibly. The beach suddenly felt several degrees colder despite the afternoon sun.