Chapter 194
The moment Isabella stepped into the research facility, her eyes landed on Alexander and his entourage gathered near a glass-walled room, little Amelia cradled protectively in his arms.
A warm smile curved her lips as she greeted the distinguished man before her.
“Harrison, it’s been too long.”
Harrison Winslow, who had been buried in a stack of medical reports, snapped his head up instantly. Recognition lit his features as he rose from his chair, his grin widening.
“Ms. Sinclair! It certainly has.” He adjusted his glasses with a sigh. “Running this place leaves little room for social calls. When I heard you were coming, I—”
Isabella cut him off with an amused tilt of her head. “Your institute is practically a fortress. Getting in feels like infiltrating a spy headquarters.” She shifted Amelia slightly in her arms. “But today, I need your expertise. This is one of my students. She’s struggling with psychological challenges, including autism. I was hoping you could assist in her treatment.”
Harrison’s expression softened, though a flicker of concern passed through his eyes. “You’ve come to the right place. We recently recruited a specialist pioneering new autism research. Their medication just passed clinical trials—it shows promise. But we’ll need to run tests first. Congenital and acquired autism are worlds apart.”
Isabella nodded. She knew better than to expect guarantees. Gently stroking Amelia’s hair, she murmured, “Can I stay with her during the tests? I don’t want her to feel scared.”
“Of course,” Harrison reassured her. “We’re very gentle here. No need to worry.” He guided them toward the examination room with a comforting smile.
The preliminary results arrived swiftly. Harrison scanned the behavioral assessment with a thoughtful hum. “This little one doesn’t have congenital autism. That means treatment is viable. We can help her engage with the world rather than withdraw into herself. But speech…” He exhaled. “That’s far more complicated. The mind governs speech, and recovery is unpredictable. It’ll depend entirely on her own progress.”
Since Isabella wasn’t Amelia’s legal guardian, the final decision rested with Alexander. She turned to him, her gaze steady. “Mr. Kingsley, are you comfortable with this?”
“Yes,” Alexander replied quietly, his fingers brushing Amelia’s hair with tender care.
After the initial treatment, Amelia clutched her porcelain doll tightly, her gaze distant. The usual spark of curiosity in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a hollow emptiness, as if her thoughts had drifted somewhere unreachable. Most children her age would be lively, but Amelia remained unnervingly silent. She never fussed, yet her quietness weighed heavily on those around her.
Alexander’s voice was calm but resolute. “If she can slowly open up to the world, that’s enough for now. We’re not rushing her to speak. We have time. And patience.”
Despite completing the first test, Amelia remained shy. She buried her face in Isabella’s shoulder when told more tests were coming.
“It’s alright, sweetheart. I’ll take you,” Isabella murmured, carrying her into another glass-walled lab. “Mr. Kingsley, please wait here. I’ll bring her back soon.”
“Thank you, Ms. Sinclair,” Alexander acknowledged, watching them disappear behind the door. His mind churned. He’d noticed how Isabella, usually so guarded, softened around Amelia. There was an undeniable warmth in the way she cared for the girl.
Sebastian spoke up beside him, cautious. “Sir, Ms. Sinclair isn’t just anyone. I looked into her background. She’s not officially tied to this institute, but she’s close to the director. They’ve been friends for years. Given how involved she is with you and Amelia… shouldn’t we investigate further?”
“No need,” Alexander dismissed, his tone final.
Sebastian frowned. Was Alexander letting personal feelings cloud his judgment? Even if he trusted her, shouldn’t they verify her background?
To his surprise, Alexander added, “With your skills, even if there’s something suspicious about her, you wouldn’t find anything useful.”
Sebastian stiffened. It wasn’t often Alexander doubted his abilities.
Alexander, of course, knew exactly what Sebastian was thinking. But he also understood someone like Isabella wouldn’t have hidden her identity this long if she didn’t know how to vanish without a trace. Fools like Ethan and Sophia had dismissed her as ordinary, unaware of her connections.
Besides, Alexander had already investigated her after the cave incident. Her past was almost too neatly constructed. Surveilling her would be a waste of time.
Isabella was, at her core, a powerful ally. And if not a friend, at least someone worth keeping neutral. Turning her into an enemy would be sheer idiocy.
