Alec went to Wilson's Mansion directly after completing his work.
"Al. You are here." Carolyn welcomed him and looked around to check whether El accompanied him.
She was glad to not find her.
"Happy birthday mother." He wished her and handed her the gift box he was holding.
"The guests have already started arriving." Carolyn dragged Alec inside.
"You remember Kaitlyn Miller. I hope you are still single, Kaitlyn." Carolyn said in a nosy way and pushed Kaitlyn to Alec's side.
"Hi Alec, nice to see you again." Kaitlyn tried to make a conversation with Alec.
Alec on the other hand maintained a cold demeanour.
"Alec, do you like my dress and jewellery?" Kaitlyn said as she leaned herself against him sideways.
Alec looked at her with a deathly glare, making her take her hand off him.
"Don't ever touch me again." He growled.
"But Alec…", suddenly the noise of people chattering around them intensified
"Is that really her?"
"Uh, huh. Lucky girl." People gossiped
"I heard her parents recently arrived at south-hills."
"Parents or only her father?" Someone scoffed.
"Did you know she is illegitimate?" Someone else whispered.
Alec turned and looked at the lady the crowd was eyeing.
She was Isobelle Ford, daughter of Daniel and Lyla Ford.
It had been more than a decade Alec last met her. Although he had seen her four years ago, they didn't meet each other.
"You are here, didn't your parents come along?" Carolyn asked, approaching her jovially.
She walked in elegantly as a dignified aura enveloped her. Everyone could sense the grandeur she carried with her.
"No, they were busy, however they have sent their best wishes to you. Happy Birthday Mrs. Wilson."
Isobelle Ford said with a faint yet classy smile.
"Thank you dear. Come along." Isobelle walked beside her gracefully, still seizing everybody's attention.
"This is Alec, my son."
"Good evening Mr. Wilson." She said and Alec let out a single nod.
"Aren't you both adorable, are you dating someone?" Carolyn was being nosy again.
"I'm not Mrs. Wilson." Isobelle's face soured.
"Call me aunt Carolyn, like you used to when you'd visit with your grandmother, when you were a little child.
"That wasn't me, Mrs. Wilson. It was my sister, Michelle", She said, making Carolyn feel embarrassed.
Isobelle turned her face to Alec, "Where is your wife? I heard you were married."
"It's only on paper, only a nominal marriage." Carolyn chimed in.
Alec glared at her as his nose flared "Mother.."
Unbeknownst to Alec, someone else was much angrier than him, it was Isobelle.
Her face darkened the moment she heard 'Nominal marriage'.
Her eyes were fixed at Alec, she had her jaws clenched and eyebrows raised. Alec glanced at her and felt uncomfortable under her stern gaze.
"That's not true Miss Ford."
"Hm," she nodded.
There was a certain restraint in her poise. Carolyn excused herself to attend to other guests and cut her cake.
Once Carolyn was done, Kaitlyn approached Alec again.
Isobelle also stood near him since he was the only person she knew there.
Alec wanted to stay away from Kaitlyn,
"Let me show you around Miss Ford." He said and they walked away.
Kaitlyn turned green with envy.
"How long has it been Isobelle?" Alec asked,as they walked away from the crowd.
His voice was cordial when he talked to her.
"Definitely more than ten years, twelve or thirteen may be." She replied with a genuine smile on her face.
They were earnest towards each other, unlike the superficial and posh nature they usually carried.
"How have you been?"
"Great, what about you Alec?"
"I'm doing good too." Alec replied.
"The last time I visited with grandma, that was indeed a memorable time." Alec said and a smile crept his face remembering the old times.
"Yes indeed."
"Is it true that she doesn't remember any of it?" Alec asked as his expression turned serious.
He was referring to Michelle.
Isobelle nodded with a fallen face.
"Where is she now?" Alec asked.
"Why do you ask Mr. Wilson?" Isobelle's sly smile returned to her.
"So that you can pass on the information to your close friend Dwane Farehya, Who intends to kill Michelle?. "
Alec was stunned with her sudden change in demeanour and her straightforward line of questioning, also the way she addressed him as Mr. Wilson instead of Alec.
Letting out an uncomfortable laugh "I didn't mean it in that sense." he said.
"I hope that's true." Her voice was cold.
They quietly walked along the pool side for a while, sensing the awkward silence Isobelle asked,
"Why isn't your wife here Alec? Shouldn't she be present here during a family event? I hope what Mrs. Wilson said a few minutes before isn't true." Her voice sounded scrutinising.
"It isn't true. She is a busy body, she'll be here soon. I'll introduce you guys when she comes." Alec let out a faint smile and excused himself.
Isobelle walked away from everybody's earshot and called Michelle. "Where are you?"
"Home" Michelle replied lazily.
"I'm in South Hills."
"WHAT?!"
"Yes, and I'm at Wilson's Mansion waiting for you." Isobelle whispered.
"Come soon."
"I'll be there." Michelle replied, finally deciding to be present at Carolyn's birthday party.
Meanwhile, Alec excused himself and walked towards Ricky.
"You are late." Alec said. Ricky rolled his eyes at him.
"Where's El?"
"She is yet to come."
"So who is late now?" Ricky smirked.
"When will she be here?" Ricky asked again.
"Why do you care?" Alec was irritated with Ricky's questions about El, her absence further worsened his mood.
"Relax dude, What do you expect me to do at a mundane, high class event, I don't have business associates to socialise with like you do. I'd rather spend my time with a genuine friend like El." Ricky said justifying himself.
They chatted for a while, their talks were interrupted with Dwane's call.
Knowing that Dwane and El were on their way here his mood lightened. When he hung up the call, he saw Isobelle standing alone by the poolside all by herself.
Feeling affectionate to her lone state, he walked towards her to accompany her.