Chapter 339
Isabella hesitated to share her gaming pursuits with Oliver. He was still so young. Exposing him to that world felt irresponsible.
She had raised him as her own. Protecting his innocence remained her priority.
Nathaniel’s voice resonated through the phone, deep and assured. “Oliver was last year’s top player in Eternal Champions.”
Isabella froze. “Seriously?”
She knew Oliver was brilliant. But Eternal Champions was intensely complex. Fewer than two hundred players worldwide ever achieved that rank.
Oliver nodded eagerly, his small face bobbing like a little bird’s. “Yes! I’m really good, Mommy! But it got boring. No one could beat me. I quit almost a year ago.”
No one could beat him.
Boring.
Isabella nearly choked. This child!
“That’s amazing! You’re absolutely my brilliant boy!”
She praised him, her fingers itching to pinch his adorable cheeks through the screen.
She decided honesty was best. “It’s true, sweetheart. Mommy did challenge Takashi Yamamoto. I want to make Westchester proud. But this is our secret. You can’t tell anyone.”
The people from Westhaven were notoriously ruthless, especially Takashi. If they discovered her identity, her life would be in danger. She was already entangled in the events from five years ago and Victoria’s vendetta. More trouble was the last thing she needed.
“Yes, Mommy! Oliver and Daddy will keep your secret!” He gave a playful salute through the camera.
A warm, maternal smile spread across Isabella’s face. She was embracing this role more than she’d expected.
Oliver suddenly switched to the rear camera. “Mommy, we’re eating! Have you eaten?”
The phone panned over the breakfast table, focusing mostly on Nathaniel.
Isabella saw him sitting at the other end. He ate with perfect elegance, knife and fork in hand.
He looked like a scene from a film—devastatingly handsome and composed.
Her heart fluttered wildly at the sight. He was too perfect. She could watch him forever.
Remembering the news from her uncles, she didn’t hold back. “Breakfast looks delicious,” she said, a smile in her voice. “And your Daddy is incredibly handsome.”
Nathaniel’s hand stilled mid-bite at her words, broadcast through the speaker.
Did she just call him handsome?
In all their time together, she had never given him a direct compliment.
For a moment, he doubted his own hearing.
Isabella bit back a laugh at his reaction. Teasing him was far too enjoyable. After a few more words, she heard footsteps descending the stairs.
Her uncles were coming down!
“Enjoy your breakfast, my darlings,” she said quickly into the phone. “Mommy has to go. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay!” chirped Oliver before ending the call.
At that moment, urgent knocking rattled her door. The voices of her four elderly mentors echoed from the hallway.
“Isabella! Wake up! It’s happening! Get up!”
“Takashi Yamamoto is online! He’s waiting for you!”