Chapter 1042
No.1
“What are you doing here?” Isabella asked, genuinely surprised.
Nathaniel moved closer. “I was in the neighborhood. Let me give you a ride. It’s on my way,” he offered, his voice warm and inviting as he held the car door open.
Isabella’s brow furrowed. “Aren’t you staying at The Royal Crest? I live at Rosewood Manor. That’s in the opposite direction. How is that on your way?”
A playful smirk touched his lips. “You know where I live. Seems like you’ve been keeping tabs on me.”
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You’re Westchester’s most eligible bachelor. Everyone knows you live in that gated fortress. Gossip follows you everywhere.”
Nathaniel’s expression sobered. He needed to be more careful about his reputation. He didn’t want her hearing anything that might push her away.
“I’m heading that direction anyway,” he insisted smoothly. “Besides, you made a promise to Christopher this afternoon. That makes us friends, doesn’t it?” He gave a slight, gentlemanly bow and gestured for her to enter the vehicle.
She hesitated, knowing she had arrived in Dominic’s Ferrari. He was likely still with Cassandra. Reluctantly, she slid into the passenger seat. A wave of satisfaction washed over Nathaniel.
The city streets were quiet, bathed in the soft glow of amber streetlights under a blanket of stars.
No.2
As they drove toward Rosewood Manor, Nathaniel’s gaze kept drifting to Isabella. The silvery moonlight caught the delicate necklace resting against her collarbones. He was surprised she still wore it. A part of him had expected her to remove it.
He wanted to talk to her, but noticed her eyes were closed. She was already asleep.
Curled on her side, she looked small and vulnerable. Her defensive daytime demeanor was gone, revealing a hidden fragility.
A pang of protectiveness shot through him. Gently, he reclined her seat so she could rest more comfortably.
He slowed the car, aiming for a smoother ride. The usual thirty-minute journey stretched to a full hour.
The car came to a stop in the underground garage of Rosewood Manor.
He cut the engine and decided not to wake her. He reached for a blanket in the back.
The moment the soft fabric touched her, Isabella jolted awake. Her eyes flashed with instant alertness. Her hand shot out, gripping his wrist with surprising strength. Her fingers were slender, yet firm.
“It’s just me,” Nathaniel said, his voice calm.
No.3
Recognition replaced the cold vigilance in her eyes, though her expression remained distant.
“Thanks for the ride.” She pushed the blanket aside and sat up.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in for…” The car door slammed shut, cutting off his sentence. Isabella was already walking away without a backward glance.
Nathaniel felt no urgency. His entire future stretched before him.
Isabella was utterly exhausted. She collapsed into bed the moment she reached home.
Her day had been relentless. A magazine shoot occupied her morning. The afternoon brought an amusement park visit.
Evening was spent establishing GoldenPhoenix Entertainment. An unexpected photoshoot capped the night.
Such a grueling schedule left her completely drained.
She switched her phone to airplane mode. Sleep claimed her instantly.
No.4
While Isabella slept deeply, Julian was tearing his hair out.
He had posted the lightly retouched photos per her instructions. The comments section erupted with criticism.
Her most devoted fans offered no support.
[Ms. Montgomery, I truly admire you. But these photos are painfully average. I can't defend them.]
[The plain white background might symbolize purity, I suppose?]
This remark silenced further discussion.
Julian felt a headache brewing. He couldn't decipher Isabella's strategy. He wanted to assist but felt utterly useless.
Watching her get torn apart online was agonizing. As her manager, he felt completely inadequate.
Cassandra handed him a glass of water. "Julian, it's one in the morning," she reminded him gently.
No.5
"Right. Sorry for keeping you," he replied.
He pocketed his phone and stood up. "Thanks for your help today. I owe you a meal."
"I'll hold you to that. Now get some rest," Cassandra said with a soft smile.
Julian turned and left.
Cassandra watched his retreating figure, her hands tightening slightly.
His politeness always carried a formal distance.
He only sought her out for work-related matters.
Long after he departed, Cassandra finally stirred. She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts.
Victoria's number glowed on the screen. She hesitated.
No.6
After an internal struggle, she tossed her phone onto the couch.
She couldn't bring herself to sabotage his friend, even if that friend was her rival.
Victoria would hear from Gabriella regardless.
"Victoria, check your laptop! Look at Isabella's Twitter. Try to figure out what she's playing at."
Victoria frowned in confusion. "What's happening?"
She opened her laptop and logged into Twitter.
Gabriella explained impatiently, "She posted these bizarre photos... I can't even describe them. Just see for yourself!"
Victoria grew more puzzled. Were Isabella's photos somehow superior?
She searched for Isabella's profile. The underwhelming images made her frown.
No.7
The entire internet mocked the mediocre shots. They weren't terrible, just utterly forgettable. Isabella looked like any ordinary passerby.
The contrast made Victoria's red dress photoshoot shine brighter. Netizens praised her to the heavens.
"What is Isabella trying to pull?" Victoria wondered aloud.
"Who knows? Has she lost her mind? She should be competing with better work or attacking you. Instead, she posts this blandness?" Gabriella sounded equally confused.
Victoria studied the photos again. She still couldn't discern any strategy.
A deep sense of foreboding settled in her stomach. Something terrible felt imminent.
Victoria feared this might push Isabella over the edge.
She attempted reassurance. “Don’t stress, Tiff. Think about it—Isabella has no agency backing, no professional team, and definitely no retoucher. Those photos are her own undoing. You’ll dominate the Guci editorial. Winning your third Top Model will cement your legacy.”
“I hope you’re right…”