Chapter 1538
No.1
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."
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.
No.2
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.
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.
No.3
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.
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.
No.4
The whole room erupted in admiration.
“Incredible! She actually recovered them!”
“Isabella, you’re a genius! An absolute legend!”
“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.
•••
Outside, Victoria kicked angrily at the grass. That wretched Isabella had ruined everything. Those photos could end her career if they ever got out. She had to crush Isabella before she rose any higher.
Just then, she spotted a man walking toward her, holding a bouquet of roses.
No.5
Her eyes lit up. Of course. How could she have forgotten?
The man walking toward her was Harrison Caldwell, Alexander Whitmore's personal assistant. It seemed Alexander was determined to marry Isabella Montgomery.
‘Once Isabella is married… A married woman can’t possibly continue modeling. Especially if she gets pregnant…’ Victoria Kensington smiled to herself, her mood instantly lifting.
“Are those flowers for Isabella? You should treat her well,” Victoria said sweetly.
“Yes, Miss Kensington.” Harrison bowed his head, though confusion swirled inside him. Wasn’t Chairman Alexander supposed to be dating Victoria? Why was he suddenly pursuing Isabella? And why did Victoria seem supportive instead of jealous?
He knew better than to question his superiors. His only task was to deliver the bouquet.
Nearby, a sleek black luxury car idled at the curb. Nathaniel Blackwood sat in the backseat, holding ninety-nine rare angel’s trumpets. A small card rested atop the blossoms: [Your beauty eclipses them all.]
“Do you think she’ll like these?” Nathaniel asked, his voice tense. “Flowers are a safe choice, right?”
Sebastian Blackwood nodded confidently. “Absolutely. Women adore flowers. These angel’s trumpets perfectly match her elegance and status. If she displays them at home, she’ll think of you every time she sees them. Far better than those desserts she devoured without a second thought.”
Nathaniel’s expression darkened. He remembered the elaborate pastries he had crafted for her. Her only response had been a terse, “Stop sending these.” It was the first time a woman had outright rejected his advances. Perhaps flowers would work better.
No.6
Just then, Isabella emerged from the building. Nathaniel adjusted his tie, ready to step out with the magnificent bouquet. Oliver Blackwood, sitting beside him, pumped his fist. “Good luck, Dad!”
Nathaniel gave a curt nod. But as he moved to exit the vehicle, he saw another man—Harrison—approach her first, presenting a lavish arrangement of roses.
“Miss Montgomery, these are from Chairman Alexander Whitmore. Imported French roses. He personally selected each and every bloom.”
Harrison deliberately emphasized that Alexander had chosen the flowers himself, his tone dripping with condescension. He knew Isabella had once desperately craved Alexander’s attention. Surely she would be overjoyed to finally receive his affection.
So what if she was the infamous Diamond Boss? She just got lucky. Underneath it all, she was still that uncultured, worthless woman who relied on men.
He expected a gushing, grateful response.
Instead, Isabella scoffed. “Alexander picked out these generic flowers himself? His taste is truly appalling.”
She brushed past him, her shoulder knocking against his. Harrison stood frozen in shock. Did she just insult Alexander’s taste? Hadn’t she pined for him for years? Hadn’t she dreamed of this moment?
Victoria watched the scene unfold, equally stunned. Isabella didn’t care anymore? After fifteen years of obsessive love and relentless pursuit, she had just… moved on? Just like that?
Nathaniel halted, his hand on the car door. He looked down at the exquisite flowers in his grasp.
No.7
‘Generic flowers?’ ‘Appalling taste?’
He threw the bouquet into a nearby trash bin and shot a sharp, disapproving glare at Sebastian.
Sebastian offered a weak, apologetic smile. “Well… I suppose our sister-in-law has rather unique preferences?”
Meanwhile, Harrison remembered his chairman’s strict orders. Swallowing his pride, he hurried after Isabella. “Miss Montgomery, please accept these as a token of the chairman’s genuine affection. If you have any issues, please discuss them with him directly. Don’t put me in such a difficult position…”
Isabella stopped and turned, a look of pure ridicule on her face.