Chapter 1151
No.1
"Pervert!"
She slammed the door shut with considerable force.
Nathaniel stood speechless outside.
No one had ever dared call him that before.
This marked the second time tonight she had used that term.
Pervert?
He could show her what a real pervert looked like.
Isabella dressed hurriedly and emerged moments later.
"Go take your bath," she commanded sharply. "And wash your eyes while you're at it."
Nathaniel turned a calm gaze toward her.
Her damp hair cascaded down her back.
The red lace nightgown clung to her alluring curves.
Though he maintained his composure, the image of the fallen underwear remained vivid in his mind.
Isabella noticed the intense gleam in Nathaniel’s gaze.
It sent an uneasy shiver down her spine.
No.2
She stepped aside and leaned against the wall to clear his path.
“Go ahead,” she said. “Why are you still standing there? You’re soaked.”
Nathaniel glanced down at his rain-drenched clothes.
Right. He needed to get clean.
He needed to feel comfortable again.
As he moved past, his shoulder brushed lightly against hers.
The contact was brief but electric.
Isabella released a quiet breath once he entered the bathroom.
His presence always made the air feel heavy.
Oppressive.
Now the room felt lighter. Freer.
But then that odd sense of familiarity returned.
The plush carpet. The large bed. The silken sheets…
Everything felt strangely known.
Frowning, she walked to the bedside.
No.3
Her fingers trailed over the expensive fabric.
It felt new, clearly replaced often by the hotel.
Yet it stirred something deep in her memory.
Unable to resist, she sat on the edge of the mattress.
She leaned back slowly, letting the sensation wash over her.
Images flickered behind her closed eyelids—swift and elusive.
She couldn’t grasp any of them.
The whole room seemed to pulse with a haunting sense of déjà vu.
Even the air carried a scent she almost recognized.
It was unsettling.
Exhausted and puzzled, she eventually drifted into sleep.
Nathaniel emerged from the shower refreshed.
He found Isabella curled on her side, asleep but restless.
Her brow was furrowed. Her expression tense.
He felt a pang of concern.
No.4
Quietly, he moved closer.
After switching off the lights, he paused beside the bed.
He knew better than to wake her—she slept like a soldier.
Alert. Ready.
So he lay down gently beside her, careful not to disturb.
And as he settled, memories of five years ago flooded back.
That night. That woman.
The darkness. The desperate fight against the drugs in his system.
He never reacted to women. Not like that.
But her… that stranger… he couldn’t forget.
He never saw her face, but he knew one thing—he would marry her.
But when morning came, she was gone.
Vanished without a trace.
His eyes drifted toward Isabella’s sleeping form.
How perfect it would be if she were that woman.
No.5
But life wasn’t that kind.
Isabella slept fitfully.
Dreams coiled around her like snakes.
A familiar pressure returned—one she hadn’t felt in years.
She woke with a start, heart racing.
Dawn light seeped through the windows.
Just a dream. Only a dream.
Thankfully, the worst was over.
Her phone lit up on the nightstand.
She picked it up.
It was a call from Beatrice Worthington.
Isabella Montgomery answered the call. Gloria's panicked voice immediately filled her ear. "This is a disaster, Isabella! We were so focused on Arabella that we missed the bigger problem. Hayley Waltz, the co-lead for the event, has been hospitalized with acute nephritis!"
Isabella's expression tightened. Hayley had been recruited from SilverPeak. She possessed a naturally magnetic and alluring presence. SilverPeak had forced a sweet, innocent persona onto her, crafting an image of a demure idol with a perfect figure. It had worked, building her a large fanbase, though she was often criticized for seeming inauthentic. After joining GoldenPhoenix, Isabella had allowed Hayley to embrace her true, more confident and mature self, so long as it didn't damage her career.
Isabella had personally chosen Hayley for the co-lead role in the Celestial Gala, portraying the Enchanting Concubine. Now, with Hayley in the hospital, GoldenPhoenix had no one who could embody that specific style. Who could possibly step in?
"You have to figure something out, Isabella," Gloria pleaded, her voice strained. "The event starts in three hours! Our annual Celestial Gala cannot be a failure!"
No.6
"Don't panic. I'm working on a solution. I'll call you back in five minutes," Isabella stated calmly before ending the call. Her mind raced, scanning through potential replacements.
She quickly opened a search engine, looking for models or actresses who had famously played concubine roles in films or dramas. Dozens of images and articles appeared, showcasing various women of elegance and charm.
A determined glint shone in Isabella's eyes. She immediately found Genevieve's number and dialed.
Meanwhile, at Genevieve's residence...
Just as she was seeing Arabella Fontaine to the door, Genevieve's phone rang.
She answered it. "Hello, Ms. Montgomery?"
"Hayley Waltz is out for the Celestial Gala. We need a replacement. Are you interested?" Isabella got straight to the point.
Genevieve's brow furrowed in surprise. "What? I... I've been out of the industry for seven years. I don't think I'm capable—"
"If it weren't for Johnson back then, you would have landed that concubine role. You would have been more famous than ever. You need to believe in yourself. Climb back up from where you fell. If you want this, I will help you," Isabella's voice was firm, filled with absolute conviction.
Genevieve glanced at Arabella and her own daughter. Both of them gave her a strong, encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, she replied to Isabella, "Alright. I'll do it."
After hanging up, Isabella sent a detailed plan to her agent, Julian Hawthorne, and tasked him with handling the logistics.
That evening, the event proceeded without a hitch. The Celestial Gala was live-streamed, attracting massive viewership and online engagement.
The so-called rivals, Arabella Fontaine and Genevieve Beaumont—the other woman and the wife—appeared together at the gala. One was adorned in a magnificent gold costume, the other in a striking crimson dress. Both were breathtakingly unique.
They led the other artists through the heritage district, eventually arriving at the summit of the ancient city wall. Their combined beauty, amplified by the recent viral scandals surrounding them, made them the center of attention. Photographers fought for the best angles to capture them.
At the climax of the event, the two women made a joint announcement to the public. "We are establishing the EmpowerHER Fund. Its purpose is to provide financial support and resources to women who have been cheated on or abandoned, helping them heal and grow from their pain. Furthermore, we will host daily free workshops to educate women on recognizing red flags and making smart choices."
No.7
Their announcement broke the internet. Arabella and Genevieve, women who were once pitted against each other, were now best friends and philanthropic partners. A wife and the other woman forming a friendship and a charity together was an almost unheard-of phenomenon.
Their stunning appearances, combined with their powerful message, went instantly viral. The Celestial Gala shattered all previous records, generating three times the usual attention and discussion. Retweets on social media soared into the billions.
As the event concluded, Gloria's phone was inundated with calls. She ignored most of them. Then, a specific caller ID flashed on her screen, causing her to freeze in shock.
This person was calling her?
It was Master Worthington.
A living legend in the art of calligraphy.
A single stroke of his brush could command millions.
His masterpieces were enshrined in the national museum.
A man of his stature…was calling her?
Isabella finally answered. “Master Worthington, this is an honor.”
“Isabella, this event is a triumph. You single-handedly restored Arabella’s reputation! Your strategic mind is exceptional!” Master Worthington’s voice brimmed with genuine admiration.
Even though Arabella was proven to be the victim, the scandal had left a stain. The ‘other woman’ label was hard to shake. It had cost her followers and credibility.