Chapter 1067
No.1
Isadora was her closest ally and was sacrificing herself for her. Whether out of friendship or to ensure Isadora’s silence, Victoria had to pay. She was trapped.
But Victoria didn’t have a diamond mine like Isabella. All the money she’d earned modeling had been spent on her lavish lifestyle and currying favor with the Montgomery family.
She held family shares, but they were untouchable. Liquidating them was impossible.
Paying 110 million dollars would completely wipe out her entire savings. She would be left with nothing.
The eleven affected models immediately began to protest.
“Yes, the agreement was signed! We must be paid!”
“I can’t believe we were manipulated like this. It’s disgusting! It feels like swallowing a fly!”
“Pay up now! If you won’t, then Isadora must! The agreement states payment is due today! I want nothing more to do with any of you!”
The demands from the crowd grew louder.
No.2
Influencers broadcast the scene live. Reporters’ cameras flashed relentlessly in Victoria’s face.
Humiliation washed over her. She desperately wanted this to end so she could escape.
She had no other option. She pulled out her phone to transfer the funds to each model in full view of everyone.
Eleanor rushed over, trying to stop her. “Victoria, don’t be foolish! Isadora is your agent, but this is her mistake! You shouldn’t have to pay for it! A hundred and ten million is an enormous amount of money! I can’t let you do this!”
Victoria wanted to strangle her.
Was Eleanor an idiot? Couldn’t she see the position Victoria was in?
"You demanded my fifteen percent shares for allegedly harming others. By that logic, you should surrender at least ten percent of yours for allowing your agent to commit these crimes."
Ten percent of her shares.
Victoria nearly snarled in fury.
No.3
Not only did Isabella demand she pay the models 110 million dollars, but she was also targeting her ten percent stake. It was worth at least twenty billion.
How could Isabella be so ruthless.
Eleanor could no longer tolerate the situation. She shouted at Isabella, "Isabella, stop this! Why are you cornering your own sister like everyone else? It's tragic enough she's been implicated in this mess. Have you no humanity left?"
"Hah, you want me to be humane? Where was their compassion when they framed me for poisoning the models? Where was their humanity when they forced me to apologize for crimes I didn't commit? Where was it when they demanded I hand over my fifteen percent shares? You've defended and believed Victoria this entire time, but have you ever once believed or defended me since this began?" Isabella's voice was icy and sharp, her gaze piercing directly into Eleanor.
Eleanor was speechless. She felt a pang of heartache looking into Isabella's cold eyes.
Just as she prepared to speak, Isabella turned away. "Forget it. I'll ask grandfather about the equity transfer. Let's see if someone who allows their agent to poison and frame others is fit to hold twenty percent of the company shares!"
She immediately called Theodore Montgomery on her phone.
Theodore's voice came through clearly. "Isabella, I saw the broadcast. I know you're innocent. Victoria must take responsibility this time. Where's Atticus? Tell him to transfer ten percent of Victoria's shares to you immediately."
Isabella's phone was on speaker. Everyone heard Theodore's command perfectly.
No.4
Atticus, being a lawyer, understood the case was filled with irregularities. It was highly probable Victoria orchestrated this herself. Theodore was being generous by only taking ten percent of her shares.
He approached Victoria with the equity transfer agreement. "Ms. Victoria, please comply with the Director's instructions and sign here."
Victoria trembled with rage. Her face was deathly pale.
Twenty billion dollars. Her twenty billion dollars was vanishing just like that.
She came here to seize Isabella's fifteen percent, and now she was losing ten percent of her own.
She was on the verge of a complete breakdown. But cameras were pointed at her from every direction. The situation had spiraled out of control. What choice did she have? How could she refuse?
She had no option. She gritted her teeth and forced out the words. "Of course... I should do this after causing Isabella so much distress... I will treat her better from now on. I will make it up to her!"
Her hand shook violently as she signed her name on the document.
Atticus brought the agreement to Isabella for her signature.
No.5
Ten percent of the shares, with a market value of two hundred billion dollars, now belonged to Isabella.
Victoria's body trembled so uncontrollably she almost collapsed.
Eleanor caught her. "Victoria, let's go. We'll give your statement, then go home and speak to grandfather about this! Isabella, you went too far today. You've disappointed me. You've broken my heart!"
With that, Eleanor led a distraught Victoria away from the scene.
Isabella watched them leave, her expression turning frosty.
Disappointed? Heartbroken?
She felt the exact same way.
She pushed through the crowd. Maxwell handed her the keys to the Kawasaki. She mounted the bike and sped away.
Twitter exploded within the hour.
No.6
#IsabellaIsInnocent, #GabriellaGets3Years, #VictoriaPays110Billion, and #VictoriaIsRottenInside dominated the trending list.
Gabriella Martinez pleaded guilty immediately. The evidence was overwhelming. Isabella Montgomery had executed a flawless victory.
The internet turned into a frenzy of condemnation. Victoria Kensington became the primary target.
Some netizens defended her innocence. Others dissected the situation with brutal logic.
How could a mere agent possess such audacity? Victoria and Gabriella were inseparable. Ignorance was implausible.
Why did Victoria fall silent under Isabella's questioning? Why pay a staggering 110 billion so readily?
That sum was astronomical. No friendship justified that level of financial sacrifice. It reeked of guilt.
Victoria was clearly the mastermind. Gabriella was a sacrificed pawn.
Victoria's past, hypocritical defenses of Isabella resurfaced online. Her disingenuous nature was exposed.
No.7
Isabella had won decisively.
Yet, she found herself speeding aimlessly on her Kawasaki. Her mind was consumed by Eleanor Kensington's words.
Isabella was accustomed to familial neglect. But watching her adoptive mother unconditionally defend Victoria was a fresh wound.
No one had ever shielded Isabella like that.
Hard work never earned her such fierce, blind loyalty.
She pulled over near the coast. The sea breeze whipped against her skin.
The sun was brutal. The wind felt cold and harsh.
Suddenly, an umbrella appeared, blocking the glaring light.
She turned. Nathaniel Blackwood stood beside her.