Chapter 1309

No.1

Isabella seethed internally. The sight of Victoria’s manipulations fueled her anger.

Eleanor pulled Victoria protectively closer. “Victoria, stop. Don’t waste your kindness on her. Look at her defiance. She is utterly shameless! Stay away from her from now on. She is no sister of yours. She doesn’t deserve your compassion!”

Richard glowered at Isabella, his rage palpable. “Since you refuse to admit your guilt, don’t blame us for our severity. I will convene a shareholders’ meeting immediately. You will be expelled from the Montgomery family! I will have you driven out of Westchester!” With that, he and Eleanor hurriedly escorted a seemingly distraught Victoria from the room, as if the place itself contaminated her.

Without missing a beat, Isabella’s voice followed them, cool and clear. “Do take care. I won’t be seeing you out.”

Their steps faltered, shoulders stiffening with renewed anger before they quickened their pace. Silence reclaimed the room. Isabella picked up a tissue and calmly wiped the water from her face.

Isabella stared at the damp tissue in her palm. Her expression turned icy cold. Victoria always managed to deceive Theodore and Sophia. She had them completely under her control. Isabella could never compete in that regard. She couldn't pretend or manipulate like Victoria did. She lost because she refused to sink to Victoria's level of wickedness.

But soon, very soon, she would expose Victoria's true nature to everyone. After drying her face completely, she glanced at her outfit. Fortunately, she wore leather today. It repelled the water easily.

Isabella was about to lie down when footsteps echoed outside. She looked up to see a tall figure and a small one at her door. Nathaniel and Oliver stood there.

"Leave. I need to rest," she stated flatly. She then lay on the cot, turning away from them. Her current situation was precarious. Their association could drag them down with her. Furthermore, she had resolved to maintain her distance. The Auto Show had been their only connection. That event was over now. Their interactions should end as well.

No.2

Ignoring her dismissal, Nathaniel entered with Oliver. He closed the door firmly behind them. "Isabella," he said directly, "if you agree, I can hire the top private investigators. The best lawyers in the world."

"Don't waste your efforts. Stay out of this," Isabella replied, her eyes still shut.

Nathaniel sensed her emotional distance. He frowned, frustrated. He glanced at Oliver and gave a slight nod. Oliver understood immediately. He rushed toward Isabella's cot.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Oliver cried, leaping onto her. "I missed you so much! I was so worried! Sniff... When they took you away, I cried until my eyes swelled. Mommy, please hold me? Please? I really, really missed you."

Isabella had no time to react before Oliver buried himself in her arms. His pleading, adorable voice filled her ears. She sat up, gently pushing his small arms away. "Oliver, go back with your father. You shouldn't be here visiting me." A child shouldn't be exposed to a place like this.

Isabella's heart softened instantly. Since the incident began, no one had trusted her. Everyone looked at her with suspicion and judgment. Even her own parents assumed her guilt. They scolded her without letting her explain.

And now, this little boy declared his belief in her. She knew Nathaniel must have coached him. Which meant... Nathaniel believed her too.

They had known each other for such a short time. They shared no blood relation. Yet he chose to trust her... A bitter irony washed over her, mixed with another, warmer feeling she couldn't name.

She gently pinched Oliver's soft cheeks. "If you believe I'm innocent, then go home. Wait for my news. I'll be out very soon."

No.3

"Really?" Oliver's eyes sparkled with hope. "You have a special plan to get out? Like when Superman defeats the monsters? Right?"

Isabella nodded. "Yes, exactly like that. So Oliver needs to go home. Don't mess up my big plan, okay?"

"But I want to stay with you. You'll be scared here alone, right? It's so cold in this room..." Oliver looked around the bleak space. His face fell. Tears welled in his sorrowful eyes.

Just then, Dominic entered carrying a large bag of supplies. There was food, toiletries, and other essentials. He also held an enormous white rabbit pillow.

Nathaniel took the nearly two-meter-long pillow. He handed it to Isabella personally. "Take this. I'll bring Oliver home now."

Isabella was speechless. She stared at the childish pillow. Was he seriously expecting her to accept this?

Isabella really didn't want to take the rabbit pillow. But seeing Oliver was about to cling to her again, she reached out and accepted it with a sigh. "Alright, you can go now."

Only after she took the pillow did Nathaniel leave with Oliver, his movements elegant and composed. Isabella stared at the oversized rabbit pillow in her arms. Suddenly, the underground detention cell didn't feel quite as cold anymore.

She hugged the pillow and lay back down on the bed, trying to relax. But her mind kept flashing images of Eleanor and Victoria's cold, indifferent faces. They contrasted sharply with Oliver's and Nathaniel's trusting expressions. The two scenes were as different as night and day.

No.4

A tiny crack had formed in her icy heart. It was spreading slowly, almost imperceptibly growing wider... The detention room was bitterly cold, but the world outside was in complete chaos.

Not far from the police station, Maxwell, Harrison, and a few others stood in a tight circle. Many unfamiliar faces were also present, all taking turns discussing the situation.

"We need to find a way to get the Boss out."

"I say we just break her out of jail!"

"Should we blow the whole place up?"

"Maybe we should bring in an expert to handle this."

"The best solution is to involve Kirk. He can solve this and help the Boss! He'd be thrilled to help!"

As soon as someone said that, everyone pulled out their phones, ready to take action. Julian rushed over and said coolly, "Everyone, go home and wait calmly for news."

"Huh? Why should we? Julian, why are you so unconcerned about the Boss? You've worked together for five years! You should be the most worried about her!" Maxwell said, his face full of confusion.

No.5

Julian's expression turned serious. "She went in willingly. Besides, she has her own strategy. No one is allowed to ruin her plan!"

"Plan? No way! Is it like what she did at the Auto Show? Or that time at the Guci showdown? Does she have a plan to turn the tables?" someone asked.

"Exactly. This time, when her plan succeeds, it will draw blood. Just wait and see," Julian replied.

Everyone there started to feel excited and cheered. "Hurray! The Boss has a plan! This is the best news!"

"Why did the Boss tell you her plans and not us? Does she like you?"

Julian froze. 'Why would she like me?'

He glanced at the luxury cars driving away in the distance, pushed away his inappropriate feelings, and responded indifferently, "You talk too much. Do you want to lose your tongue? Everyone, go home. Don't you dare ruin her plan! If you do, I won't let any of you get away!"

"Yes, yes, yes, the Boss's husband!" the crowd teased as they dispersed.

The scene went unnoticed by the wider world. Meanwhile, the entire internet was still hurling abuse at Isabella, growing more aggressive by the hour. Gabriella even hired someone to release a video. In the video, Isabella could be seen picking up the strawberry. When she thought no one was looking, she sneakily tossed it into a nearby trash can. The internet exploded with fury!

No.6

Isabella must have planted the poison. Why else wouldn't she eat the strawberry? Why else would she secretly throw it away? It was unbelievable! Evil-hearted! Scheming b*tch!

Within two days, news of the 12 poisoned models had spread globally. It was inevitable, given the number of famous models involved. Isabella was also a well-known, wealthy female CEO. Her popularity was sky-high. Even people who didn't follow entertainment gossip knew all about it.

Isabella had become a vicious murderer in the public's eyes. Conversely, a video of Victoria defending Isabella also went viral online. As the only one of the 12 models who believed in Isabella, she was hailed as the number one kind-hearted angel.

Victoria Kensington hadn't slept properly in days.

The case remained unresolved without Isabella Montgomery's confession.

Without airtight, irrefutable evidence, the loopholes kept the investigation open.

Isabella's refusal to admit guilt left Victoria constantly on edge.

She couldn't shake the fear that Isabella might suddenly turn the tables.

This situation demanded immediate resolution.

No.7

Victoria grabbed her phone and texted Isadora Vasquez.

"Handle it now. Pressure the eleven supermodels to escalate the case."

Those supermodels were notoriously arrogant and hot-tempered.

They'd never tolerated newcomers stealing their spotlight.

They undoubtedly harbored deep resentment toward Isabella.

They'd witnessed her stunning performance at the Auto Show.

Failing to crush her now would threaten their future dominance.

Under Isadora's instigation, all models gathered at the police station.