Chapter 1558
No.1
She hadn't even changed her position.
She just lounged against the car, sunglasses in hand.
The photographers still swarmed her, circling for the perfect shot.
They were desperate to capture every angle of her stunning beauty.
Nathaniel Blackwood’s gaze was locked on her.
The normally unshakable man showed a flicker of pure astonishment.
He had watched Isabella practice her walk many times.
Each time, he was captivated.
It was no wonder she was the woman he loved.
No.2
Oliver was even more ecstatic.
He threw his hands in the air, shouting with all his might.
“Mommy is the best! She’s amazing! The number one model in the world!”
His cheers ignited the crowd.
Soon, everyone was chanting along.
“Number one top model! The world’s best model!”
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch.
Isabella had stunned them all once again.
Victoria Kensington’s face was a thundercloud of fury.
No.3
‘I am the real number one model! That title is mine!’ she seethed internally.
But her position was at the very back of the stage.
She was almost completely hidden behind the other models.
Standing in that dark corner, she felt invisible.
Seeing everyone adore Isabella was unbearable.
‘What right does she have?’ Victoria thought bitterly. ‘She’s just a rookie! An unwed mother! She shouldn’t be here!’
The other supermodels were pathetic for letting a newcomer overshadow them.
This had never happened before.
Isabella showed them no respect as her seniors.
No.4
She just ruthlessly outshone them all.
But with all the cameras pointed their way, none of the models dared show their anger.
They held their poses, looking bland and ordinary next to Isabella’s radiance.
Suddenly, a pitiful wail cut through the noise.
Genevieve Laurent crumpled to the floor in apparent agony.
She clutched her stomach, her face twisted in pain as she screamed.
The audience frowned in confusion.
What was happening? Was she having a fit?
Then, like dominoes, the other models began to fall.
No.5
One after another, they dropped to the ground beside the luxury cars.
They rolled around, clutching their middles, moaning and crying in distress.
The hall descended into chaos.
The air was filled with the sounds of suffering.
Isabella watched the models fall around her.
A deep frown etched onto her face.
‘This isn’t good,’ she thought. ‘Trouble is here.’
Within seconds, everyone collapsed to the floor in agony.
Victoria Kensington was among them. She writhed on the ground, clutching her stomach weakly. Her cries were pitiful. "It hurts... Please, someone help..." Beads of sweat covered her forehead. Her suffering appeared genuine.
No.6
The event organizers sprang into action. Archibald Worthington barked orders. "Cut the music! Get medical assistance now!"
The background music ceased abruptly. Assistants rushed to reorganize the stage. They leveled the platforms that were previously set at varying heights.
Isabella Montgomery moved first. She approached the nearest model kneeling beside her. It was Genevieve Laurent! Genevieve had curled into a fetal position. She glared at Isabella with pure hatred. But the pain was too severe. She couldn't form any words.
Isabella reached out. She checked Genevieve's forehead. She felt for a pulse.
Genevieve's assistant saw this and shoved Isabella away. "Who do you think you are? A doctor? Get away from her!"
The push caught Isabella off balance. She fell to the floor. She didn't seem bothered. She sat casually, one leg bent. Her hand rested loosely on her knee. "Relax. It's acute food poisoning. Halophilic bacteria. It'll pass in two days."
Camille Laurent didn't understand the medical terms. She saw Isabella's calm demeanor and snapped. "You're not in any pain! Look at them! They're suffering!"
"Exactly. Stop pretending you know anything. Just shut up," another assistant joined in, this one from Seraphina Delacroix's team. The hostility toward Isabella was palpable.
Nathaniel Blackwood had already coordinated with the organizers. He ensured the audience was escorted out. His gaze found Isabella. He turned to Sebastian Blackwood. "Go. Check on them. Now."
No.7
"Why? It's not my sister-in-law who's sick. Don't you have other doctors for this?" Sebastian teased, remaining seated. He was a doctor but notoriously selective with patients.
Nathaniel's voice was low. "That's precisely why it's complicated."
Sebastian's smirk vanished. He understood the implication. He rushed forward immediately. He examined each supermodel, noting their symptoms. His expression turned grave. "It's acute food poisoning. Caused by halophilic bacteria."
Camille heard the term again. "What is halophilic bacteria?"
"Vibrio parahaemolyticus," Sebastian explained professionally. "A gram-negative bacillus. Thrives in salty environments. Can survive over forty-seven days in seawater. Causes severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. It's a popular choice on the black market. Tasteless. Easy to store. Not lethal, but excruciatingly painful."
A wave of shock passed through the group. "So this wasn't accidental? We were poisoned on purpose?"
"Who... who would do this to all of us?"
"We barely ate anything today..."
The models lay weakly in their assistants' arms, murmuring their fears. Suddenly, Seraphina Delacroix gasped. "The strawberries... We all ate the strawberries..."