Chapter 177:


    “That,” he said, his voice low and full of reverence now that they were off-mic, “was the most elegant piece of flying I have seen in a decade. Wee home, Sophia.”


    Isolde managed a weak smile. “Thank you, Professor.”


    She stepped down from the stage. The crowd parted for her — respect, fear, and awe moving through the room like a wave.


    Grayson was walking toward her. He looked shaken, his mouth opening as if to speak — perhaps to congratte her, perhaps to ask about her hand.


    But Belle was right there, clinging to his arm and limping dramatically on her conveniently “injured” ankle.


    Suddenly, a blur of motion shot out from the side aisle.


    “Daddy!”


    It was Kaiden. He had escaped his nanny’s grip and came barreling toward them — a chaotic ball of energy. But he didn’t run to Grayson. He ran straight at Isolde.


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    “You bad woman!” Kaiden shrieked. He lowered his head and rammed into her legs.


    “Ah!” Isolde stumbled back, grabbing the edge of a disy table to keep from falling. The impact jarred her broken arm and her burned hand simultaneously.


    “Kaiden!” Grayson shouted, but he didn’t move fast enough.


    Effie, who had been waiting with Ellyn by the side of the room, saw her mother stumble. She dropped her coloring book and ran.


    “Stop it!” Effie yelled, shoving Kaiden away from Isolde. “Don’t hurt my Mommy!”


    Kaiden, surprised by the resistance, shoved Effie back hard. Effie tripped over her own feet and hit the convention center floor. Her knee struck the concrete with a sickening thud.


    “Ow!” Effie cried out, clutching her leg.


    Isolde ignored her own pain and dropped to her knees beside her daughter. “Effie! Baby, let me see.”


    Grayson finally reached them — but he didn’t check on Effie. He scooped up Kaiden, who immediately began to fake-cry.


    “She pushed me, Daddy!” Kaiden wailed, burying his face in Grayson’s neck. “Effie pushed me!”


    “Shh, it’s okay, buddy,” Grayson cooed, rubbing Kaiden’s back. “Daddy’s here. You’re okay.”


    He looked down at Isolde, who was carefully examining Effie’s knee. “Control your daughter, Isolde. She’s getting aggressive.”


    Isolde looked up, incredulous. “He tackled me. He pushed her.”


    “He’s five,” Grayson said dismissively. “Effie should know better.”


    Ellyn rushed over, breathless. She had seen Isolde’s triumph on the screens and sensed an opening. She ignored Effie’s tears entirely.


    “Grayson!” Ellyn said, clutching her purse. “Did you see the test? Isolde was magnificent. About that investment for Carson Dynamics —”


    Grayson turned to her with barely concealed disdain. “Not now, Ellyn. Can’t you see we’re dealing with a situation?”


    He turned to Belle. “Are you okay to walk? We should go celebrate. Get away from this… drama.”


    Belle smirked at Isolde. “Yes, Gray. Let’s go to that Michelin ce you promised. I’m starving.”


    “Let’s go,” Grayson said. He adjusted Kaiden in his arms, took Belle’s hand, and walked away.


    He didn’t look back at his daughter, sitting on the floor with a bleeding knee. He didn’t look back at his ex-wife, who had just revolutionized his industry.


    He walked away with his lie.


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