Chapter 1560

No.1

"She wasn't taken," Nathaniel stated calmly. "She went with them willingly. There's a difference."

Chris sniffled loudly, confusion replacing some of the anger. "Huh?"

"Think," Nathaniel said, his tone softening slightly. "Remember all the other times? The impossible situations your mother has escaped?"

Chris nodded slowly, a flicker of hope in his wet eyes. "Mommy always fixes everything. She's amazing." His voice dropped to a worried whisper. "But this time...there's evidence. Real evidence. And it's a serious crime. How can she get out of this?"

"Trust her," Nathaniel replied, his gaze steady. "Has she ever truly failed you? Be quiet now. I will take you to see her."

"Okay," Chris whispered, wiping his face on his sleeve. Nathaniel sighed inwardly. Parenting was exhausting. First, he needed to check on Isabella.

The story exploded across every major news outlet within the hour.

[12 INTERNATIONAL SUPERMODELS POISONED.]

The headline screamed. [Initial reports indicate a backstage dispute led designer Isabella Montgomery to poison twelve supermodels. The victims include global sensation Seraphina Delacroix, America's sweetheart Victoria Kensington, and fiery French model Genevieve Laurent. All twelve received immediate medical attention. While Victoria Kensington has remained silent, the other eleven models are demanding a public apology, criminal charges, and fifty million dollars in individual compensation.]

No.2

[Mercedes representative Archibald Worthington issued a statement condemning Isabella Montgomery for sabotaging their annual auto show. The company is seeking no less than eighty million dollars in damages. Legal experts note that malicious poisoning causing significant bodily harm carries a potential three-year prison sentence.]

The comment sections boiled over with rage.

[She's a monster! How could anyone do this?]

[What a vile heart! A simple argument and she resorts to poison?]

[Her beauty is clearly only skin deep. A truly evil woman. I bet this isn't the first time!]

[That face hides a demon! Vicious! Cruel! Lock her up and throw away the key! I'm so angry!]

The internet had convicted her. The combined fury of twelve fan armies flooded Isabella's social media, burying any support under an avalanche of hate. Her reputation was shattered.

At the police precinct, Officer Donovan Pierce motioned toward a holding cell.

Isabella didn't move. "You're detaining me based solely on trace residue on my hands? What if I brushed against a contaminated surface? What if someone transferred it there during a handshake while I was distracted?"

No.3

Her voice was cool, analytical. "A conviction requires a complete chain of evidence. Have you located the source of the poison? Found the container it was held in? Obtained a confession from me?"

The distant hum of a vacuum cleaner echoed in the hallway.

Officer Pierce frowned, irritation flashing in his eyes. "You were cooperative at the scene. Why the sudden change? What game are you playing now?"

Isabella Montgomery met Officer Donovan Pierce’s gaze with unwavering seriousness. “To clarify, I am merely a suspect at this stage. I should be held in a detention room, not a prison cell.”

Donovan was taken aback by her precise knowledge of legal procedure. Everything she stated was factually correct. He nodded stiffly. “Escort her to a holding room.”

She was led into a sterile white space. It was a significant improvement over a cell. A metal-framed bed stood against one wall. A basic but clean lavatory was tucked in the corner.

The door clicked locked behind her. Isabella showed no concern. She moved with casual grace, surveying her temporary quarters before settling on the bed. Her gaze dropped to her hands. A faint, knowing smile touched her lips. ‘Go ahead, Victoria. Make your move while you can. The finale won’t be satisfying otherwise.’

A sharp rap echoed at the door. “Isabella Montgomery. You have visitors.”

She glanced toward the sound. Victoria Kensington, Eleanor Kensington, and Richard Montgomery stood outside. Isabella closed her eyes, dismissing their presence entirely. They entered without waiting for permission.

No.4

Eleanor’s voice cut through the quiet. “Isabella! How could you commit such a vile act? Poison the others if you must, but your own sister? Bringing you into our home was the gravest mistake! The shame you’ve brought upon us is immeasurable. And you just lie there! Get up and apologize to Victoria immediately!”

Isabella’s eyes remained shut. She offered no response.

Richard’s fury boiled over. He snatched a glass of water from a nearby table and hurled it. The cold liquid splashed across Isabella’s face before she could react.

Her eyes flew open. She rose from the bed in one fluid motion. Her expression was glacial, her eyes gleaming with a predator’s ruthless light.

Richard flinched under her stare, momentarily stunned. He quickly regained his composure, rage burning hotter. “Still no remorse! The Montgomery family wasted twenty-three years on you! If you refuse to confess and apologize to everyone you’ve harmed, we will publicly disown you. We will cut all ties and exile you from Westchester!”

Victoria’s eyes glittered with concealed triumph. If Isabella was cast out, her fifteen percent family shares would default to Victoria. She quickly moved forward, clutching Isabella’s hand with feigned concern. “Sister, please! Explain yourself to them! Tell them you’re innocent! I know you didn’t do this!”

“Remove your lying, pathetic face from my sight. Stop pretending to be a saint,” Isabella’s voice was a sharp, cold blade. Her gaze pinned Victoria in place.

Victoria recoiled, snatching her hand back. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Even locked up, Isabella’s presence was terrifyingly potent. This was a new level of fury.

Victoria retreated to the far side of the bed, her expression expertly crafted into one of profound hurt. Anyone watching would think she was the victim here.

No.5

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.6

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.7

"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.