Chapter 1261
No.1
“Look at her clothes. Some no-name brand. Lives in the middle of nowhere but talks about billions? She’s a joke. A pathetic one.”
“Please, don’t be cruel. She’s still family.” Victoria’s voice was a sickly sweet simper. She offered a fake, sympathetic smile. “Isabella, you only had to ask. My parents give me a new car every birthday. My garage is overflowing. I’d have given you one. There’s no need for this… walking.”
She poured on the false concern. “Are you going to the show? You’ll be late. Get in. I’ll drive you.” She stepped out and opened the rear door. A large, drooling pug occupied the seat, its fur matted and dirty. It took up most of the space.
The plan was obvious. Get Isabella in the car. Let the dog ‘accidentally’ bite her. A scratch on her face would be ideal. No model with fresh wounds could walk the runway.
Isabella let out a cold, dismissive laugh. Did Victoria truly think she was this stupid? “You think I’d get in that ridiculous eyesore?” Her scorn was palpable. “You believe your cheap, tasteless car is a favor?”
Cheap? Tasteless?
A stunned silence fell. The sheer audacity of the insult left everyone breathless. Even Victoria was momentarily speechless, her perfect mask finally cracking.
Victoria’s friends immediately erupted at Isabella’s insult.
“Isabella Montgomery, you’re nothing but a rabid dog biting the hand that feeds you. Can’t tell the difference between kindness and malice? Victoria offered you a ride out of the goodness of her heart. How dare you speak to her like that?”
No.2
“What are you even yapping about, you adopted stray? This is a limited edition Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. Only twenty exist in the entire world. It costs over forty million. You should be grateful just to lay eyes on it!”
“Exactly! If you’re so great, why don’t you show up in a better car? All you do is talk. It’s pathetic!”
Their words were venomous. Isabella’s face tightened with disdain. She didn’t even bother to respond.
The girls laughed, mistaking her silence for shame.
“Look at her! She has nothing to say! What a joke!”
“Her lies are catching up to her! She deserves every bit of this!”
“Please, everyone, don’t be so harsh on my sister,” Victoria interjected, her voice dripping with false concern. “Maybe she just doesn’t like Silas. It might not be about the car. Perhaps she’s uncomfortable sitting with him.” She turned to Isabella with a saccharine smile. “I can let you sit in the passenger seat if you prefer. Come on, we don’t want to be late.”
She pushed the passenger door open. Even from the front, she could make sure Silas got a good bite. Maybe he’d even take her head clean off.
Victoria’s friends were clueless about her dark intentions. They only saw her generosity.
No.3
“Victoria is such a saint! Isabella Montgomery, what are you waiting for? You ungrateful wretch!”
“Yeah, hurry up! Never been in a car this expensive before? Cat got your tongue?”
“She’s probably never even seen one! How hilarious!”
As they sneered, a shadow blurred past them and pulled to a smooth stop nearby.
The car was a stunning matte black, crafted from carbon fiber and titanium alloy. Its design screamed cutting-edge luxury. The LED headlights glinted with what looked like actual diamond dust.
One of the girls shrieked in recognition. “That’s a Hypersport! There are only seven of those on the planet!”
The group erupted in excitement.
“A Hypersport is worth over a billion! It’s the rarest supercar in existence!”
“I heard the seats are hand-stitched with gold thread. The headlights alone are embedded with diamonds worth a Rolls-Royce.”
No.4
“That’s the exact model that jumped between skyscrapers in that movie! The real deal!”
Who could possibly own such an incredible machine? Everyone held their breath, staring at the door.
It opened. A man in a tailored suit stepped out.
Though he was just a driver, he carried himself with a commanding presence that outshone any male model. But what he did next was even more shocking.
He stood rigidly by the car and announced, “Miss Montgomery, I’m here on behalf of my employer to escort you. Please come with me.”
Miss Montgomery? He was here for Victoria Kensington?
“Oh my god, Victoria! Since when do you know someone like that? Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I’m so jealous! Victoria, please, can I just touch it? Just once?”
They gazed at her with pure adoration.
No.5
Victoria herself was confused. She didn’t know anyone who owned this car. Maybe some billionaire had seen her viral scandal and sent for her?
A blush crept onto her cheeks. “I… I had no idea, honestly. I can’t believe he sent a car for me!” She turned to Isabella with fake regret. “Oh, Isabella, it seems I can’t give you a ride after all. My driver will take you. I have other plans now.”
She strode toward the Hypersport, chin high, proud as a peacock.
Her friends watched, green with envy. How was she so lucky? Born into the second-richest family in Westchester. Engaged to a perfect man like Alexander Whitmore. And now, a billionaire admirer? No one could ever compete.
But the driver’s brow furrowed. He raised a hand. “My apologies. I am here for Miss Isabella Montgomery.”
What? Isabella Montgomery? Not Victoria?
Victoria Kensington stood frozen in utter disbelief. Her face tightened as she struggled to contain the storm of emotions raging inside her. With immense effort, she forced a polite smile. "Sir, there must be some mistake," she said, her voice strained.
Isabella Montgomery had just returned to the country. Hardly anyone knew of her existence. How could some wealthy tycoon possibly know her and send a car specifically for her?
"No mistake," the chauffeur stated flatly. "I'm here for Miss Montgomery. Isabella Montgomery." He deliberately emphasized the name 'Isabella'.
No.6
All eyes slowly turned to Isabella, their expressions shifting to stunned silence.
This luxury vehicle was for her? She knew the owner? Impossible! Victoria's face contorted into a mask of pure revulsion. This couldn't be happening.
While everyone remained frozen, the man approached Isabella and gave a formal bow. "Miss Montgomery, your carriage awaits."
Isabella strolled over casually, her critical gaze sweeping over the car. "Hmm... Acceptable, I suppose. Though only seven of these exist globally. An unlucky number. Black also absorbs far too much heat for summer driving. And genuine leather seats?" She tutted disapprovingly. "Does your employer not realize how uncomfortable they become in warm weather?"
The crowd was speechless.
A HyperSport had been sent for her, and she was complaining? Criticizing the number as 'unlucky'? Complaining about the seats? The sheer audacity!
Dominic Sterling's eye twitched. This was classic Isabella Montgomery behavior. She had scorned Mr. Blackwood's diamond ring before, and now she was insulting his HyperSport? What was she even made of?
"Miss Montgomery, please," he said with a sigh, his brow furrowed. "Don't make this difficult. My master was very clear I must bring you. He also sent a gift." Dominic then presented her with an exquisitely crafted wooden box.
Isabella frowned. A young master? With a gift? Who could it be?
No.7
She took the box skeptically. Inside was a meticulously prepared breakfast. Rice was shaped into an adorable cartoon character, its eyes crafted from gleaming black pearls. In the bottom corner, a message was written in dark sauce:
[Good luck, Mommy! My Mommy will amaze everyone!]
It was from Christopher Blackwood.
A faint, almost invisible smile touched Isabella's lips as she pictured the boy's round, cheerful face. Her heart softened instantly. 'Fine,' she thought. 'For Momo, I'll go.'
Relief washed over Dominic. He hurried to open the passenger door for her before swiftly taking his place in the driver's seat.
Vroom!
The HyperSport roared to life and sped away, kicking up a cloud of dust and swirling leaves in its wake.
Victoria was sprayed with debris. Leaves tangled in her hair. Dust smudged her pristine white dress. The same so-called 'friends' who had been fawning over her moments ago now watched with barely concealed mockery. They wouldn't dare say it to her face, but she felt their scornful glances like physical blows.
She could no longer hold back her humiliation. She stood there, utterly mortified. The HyperSport was for Isabella, not her. The embarrassment was crushing, a feeling worse than any she had ever experienced.