Chapter 1286

No.1

She crashed into the photographer’s outstretched arms.

The expensive camera was launched from his grip.

It sailed through the air in a horrifying arc.

Time seemed to slow.

Then, a sickening crunch of plastic and glass echoed through the studio.

The camera shattered on the hard floor.

Pieces skittered everywhere.

The memory card popped out.

It landed neatly.

Isadora’s heel came down on it with precise force.

No.2

A clean, definitive snap.

The card broke in two.

Gasps echoed through the studio.

Vincent Delacroix looked utterly devastated.

His custom-built camera was worth a fortune. Every shot from today's grueling session was stored inside.

He dropped to his knees, cradling the shattered equipment with shaking hands.

A thin trickle of blood marked Victoria Kensington's forehead. She ignored it completely.

Her head bowed in contrition. "This is all my fault! I'm so terribly sorry! It was a complete accident! Please, just tell me the cost. I'll cover every penny of the damages!"

"Money can't replace what was lost! That footage was priceless! A full day's work from the entire team gone!" Vincent's voice trembled with a rage he'd never directed at a woman before.

Tears welled in Victoria's eyes. She turned, offering frantic apologies to every stunned crew member in the room.

No.3

"I'm begging for your forgiveness! My manager wasn't watching her step... This is entirely on us. I'll reimburse the camera, the lost images, the advertising fees. I'll even cover three days of lost sales revenue. I promise my performance tomorrow will be even stronger than today's. Please, just give me another chance."

Her voice cracked with genuine-sounding distress. The display of vulnerability was masterful. It instantly softened the angry glares around her.

The production manager took a deep, steadying breath. "Fine. We reschedule for tomorrow," he finally grumbled, his tone resigned.

He knew recreating today's magic was nearly impossible. The perfect lighting, the model's energy—it was a fleeting alchemy. This was a compromise born of pure necessity.

Victoria bowed deeply once more. "Thank you! Thank you so much for your understanding. I won't let you down tomorrow!"

Her words were honeyed and meek. But as her head dipped, a fierce, triumphant fire burned in her eyes, unseen by anyone. Isabella Montgomery would not have a successful shoot tomorrow. She would make sure of it. Isabella's time here was over.

Just then, Isabella emerged from the dressing room.

The manager approached her, his expression grim. "Ms. Montgomery, I have terrible news. Our primary camera and the backup SD card are destroyed. Today's work is lost. I must humbly ask you to return for a reshoot tomorrow."

Isabella's brow furrowed. "Excuse me?"

Victoria rushed forward, her voice a pleading whimper. "Isabella, please don't be angry with them. This was my mistake. I broke the equipment. I'll personally cover your fee for tomorrow, and I'll add an extra million for your trouble. Please, you must agree to come back. I'm begging you."

No.4

She looked the picture of pathetic remorse.

Isabella's gaze swept over Vincent, still kneeling amidst the wreckage. She studied the scattered pieces of plastic and glass.

Her response was calm and absolute. "I'm sorry. I can't do tomorrow."

A wave of disbelief and anger rippled through the crew.

Victoria had apologized profusely. She'd groveled. A top model was willing to reshoot. Who did this newcomer think she was, refusing?

The manager's voice turned stern. "Ms. Montgomery, this was an unforeseen accident. None of us wanted this. The SD card is destroyed. The data is unrecoverable. A reshoot is our only option."

"Is it?" Isabella asked coolly.

She walked over to Vincent and gently took the damaged SD card from his limp hand.

A tense silence fell as she moved toward the computer terminal.

Nervous glances were exchanged across the room.

No.5

Could it be fixed? A memory card broken in two pieces was beyond repair.

Victoria’s eyebrows shot up. She immediately rushed after Isabella. “Isabella, stop playing games. There’s no way that’s fixable. Not even a miracle could save it. Just hand it over—I’ll get Vincent a new one tomorrow.”

“What’s impossible for miracles isn’t necessarily impossible for me. Now move.”

Isabella pushed Victoria aside and headed straight for the computer. She sat down, flipped the damaged chip, and began reassembling the broken parts.

Her pale, slender fingers moved with startling precision and grace.

Vincent had already noticed Isabella’s elegant hands during the shoot. Watching her work now lifted his mood. Even if the card couldn’t be saved, he knew he’d capture something special when they reshot.

All eyes were on Isabella. The room was silent, tense. No one dared interrupt.

Only Victoria’s breathing grew ragged. Her nerves tightened. If Isabella actually pulled this off, everything would be ruined. She’d have to pay millions in compensation. And worse—Isabella would look like the hero.

She had to do something. Anything.

Isabella slotted the reassembled card into the reader and plugged it into the computer. Lines of code flashed across the screen as her fingers flew over the keyboard.

No.6

A progress bar appeared, inching slowly forward.

Victoria’s fists clenched. She shot a desperate look at Isadora. If they could just ruin the computer now…

But Isadora shook her head subtly. Two “accidents” in a row would be far too suspicious.

Ding.

A folder popped open on the screen. All the day’s photos were there, perfectly intact.

Vincent nearly cried with relief. He rushed over and grabbed Isabella’s hands. “Isabella, thank you! I can’t tell you how much this means!”

As a photographer, he knew better than anyone—some moments couldn’t be recreated. The mood, the energy, the light. Tomorrow’s reshoot would never have matched today’s magic.

The whole room erupted in admiration.

“Incredible! She actually recovered them!”

“Isabella, you’re a genius! An absolute legend!”

No.7

“I’m officially a fan. No—I worship you.”

Everyone looked at her with newfound respect. She wasn’t just a pretty face or a talented model. She was a problem-solver. A savior.

Victoria’s face twisted with fury. Her plan had backfired spectacularly. Not only had she lost a fortune, but she’d made Isabella look even more impressive.

She couldn’t take it. Excusing herself with a stiff smile, she slipped out of the room.

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