Chapter 1567
No.1
"Are you aware of the diplomatic implications? As a Diamond Boss and wealthiest woman, why model such terrible behavior?"
"Don't you owe the world an apology? Don't you have anything to say?"
Isabella ignored them completely. She treated the shouting crowd as insignificant background noise.
The officers flanking her into the courthouse seemed more like personal security. She commanded attention like a celebrity making a red carpet appearance.
Victoria Kensington clenched her fists. Envy burned through her.
She had expected to see Isabella disgraced and broken. Instead, Isabella maintained her arrogant composure. How could someone facing conviction still radiate such superiority?
Business first.
She turned to Atticus Whitmore. "Must we have her sign the equity transfer today?"
Atticus stood beside Victoria, reminded of their objective. "Absolutely."
He stepped forward with documents. "Ms. Montgomery. The Director requires your signature on the equity transfer agreement today. My schedule is tight. Sign it now."
No.2
He thrust the paperwork toward her.
The models surged forward with demands.
"I have appointments later! Return my money immediately!"
"Watching your trial wastes my time! I only care about getting paid!"
"You signed the agreement! No more delays!"
"Apologize and pay us! I want to leave this disgusting place! I can't stand being near a criminal like you!"
They pressed around her like vultures circling carrion. Everyone treated her like contaminated garbage.
Isabella stayed silent. She checked her watch impatiently.
Eight minutes until ten. Couldn't they have arrived earlier?
The crowd grew more aggressive seeing her indifference.
No.3
Fans of the eleven models brandished rotten vegetables ready to throw.
One officer raised his voice. "Remain calm everyone! The court hasn't issued any ruling! Be rational!"
Nearby, Genevieve Beaumont watched from her car with a frown.
Days of court sessions had yielded no conviction due to lack of concrete evidence.
Isabella's assault last night still stung her mouth. She wanted Isabella destroyed completely.
She retrieved her phone and sent an anonymous video to Isadora Vasquez.
This video guaranteed conviction! She would finish Isabella through Isadora's hands!
Isabella Montgomery observed the unfolding chaos beside Victoria Kensington when a new email notification flashed on her screen.
She tapped it open immediately.
The video attachment loaded instantly.
No.4
Isabella subtly tugged at Victoria’s sleeve.
Noticing everyone was preoccupied with condemning Isabella, Victoria discreetly glanced at the email.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Who could have sent this? Who was pulling the strings behind the scenes?
Clearly, she wasn’t the only one who wanted Isabella destroyed.
As long as Isabella faced conviction, the sender’s identity didn’t matter.
Victoria gave a nearly imperceptible nod.
Isadora Vasquez stepped forward. “Everyone, quiet! An anonymous source just sent me a video. They claim it’s definitive proof!”
She raised her phone high, pressing play.
All eyes locked onto the screen. The video showed Isabella Montgomery grabbing the top strawberry from the tower.
No.5
It was clearly filmed by a staff member at close range. The quality was far superior to the grainy CCTV footage.
As Isabella reached for the fruit, a fine powder visibly drifted from her palm.
It dusted the strawberries beneath. The evidence was undeniable.
The crowd erupted.
“This is it! She’s guilty!”
“Isabella Montgomery! Confess! You’re caught red-handed!”
“No more lies! Admit your crime! Apologize to everyone!”
The screams of accusation filled the air.
Victoria knew the video was fabricated, but her performance was flawless. She stared at Isabella with feigned horror. “Sister… it really was you. I defended you. I trusted you. How could you be so wicked?”
Her voice cracked with manufactured betrayal.
No.6
Eleanor Kensington wrapped a comforting arm around her. “Victoria, my dear, don’t upset yourself. I always warned you about her true nature. Sever all ties. She will only drag you down with her.”
Eleanor turned a venomous glare on Isabella. “Bringing you into the Montgomery family was our greatest shame! Apologize now! Plead guilty!”
“Pay the compensation! Admit your guilt!”
“Sign the equity transfer! Stop disgracing the Montgomery name!”
The mob closed in, their faces twisted with contempt.
Just as Isabella drew a breath to respond, a new voice cut through the din.
“I have evidence to present!”
It was Maxwell Carter, dragging a frightened man toward the crowd.
Confused murmurs rippled through the onlookers. Who were these men?
Isadora’s face paled upon recognizing the man being dragged.
No.7
Maxwell shoved the man forward into the clearing. His voice was hard, commanding. “Tell them the truth. Now.”
The man looked truly menacing.
A long, jagged scar ran down the side of his face.
Despite his intimidating appearance, he had been completely subdued by Maxwell.
One look at Maxwell was enough to fill him with pure terror.
Utterly defeated, he hung his head and confessed. "My name... is Silas Granger. I deal in pharmaceuticals. The person who bought the Halophilic bacteria from me wasn't Isabella. It was Victoria!"