Chapter 1613

No.1

Eleanor hesitated. Victoria wasn't in a good place mentally. What if seeing all the hate online made her faint again, just as she was starting to recover? She was so fragile. How could she possibly face a public apology, knowing she'd be torn apart? And sleeping with your sister's fiancé… that was a deeply shameful act. No one would want to admit to that.

“Is there… no other way?” Eleanor couldn't help but ask. “This condition seems rather…”

“Mother, are you still protecting her?” Isabella's voice was cold. “When has she ever apologized for anything? How can I help her if she won't even admit she was wrong? Would you hesitate like this if it were me? If I had seduced her husband and tried to steal everything from her?”

Eleanor felt a sharp pang of guilt. If it were Isabella, she wouldn't hesitate at all. Isabella was just the adopted daughter. When she made that mistake five years ago, the whole family cast her out immediately. Eleanor was having second thoughts. Isabella did grow up with them, even if she wasn't blood…

“I know I was adopted,” Isabella continued, her voice steady. “That's why I've never asked for anything. But she ruined my wedding. She tried to steal what was mine. I'm not a saint. All I want is an apology. Besides, she'll only learn from this if she admits her mistakes. Don't you agree?”

Eleanor finally relented. “Alright. I'll talk to her. I'll make her apologize. Please… say a few good words for her when you can.”

A cold smirk touched Isabella's lips as she ended the call. She knew Victoria better than anyone. Victoria could fake tears and play the victim beautifully, but it was always for sympathy. Asking her to actually admit her fault? To take responsibility? That would shatter her entire carefully constructed image. It would be pure agony for her.

They deserved every bit of this.

Meanwhile, in the hospital room…

No.2

Eleanor put her phone away and walked back to Victoria's bedside. She looked at her pale, fragile daughter. “Don't worry. Your sister has agreed to speak on your behalf tonight. If she forgives you, the public will eventually move on. She is the victim, after all.”

“Really?” A flicker of hope lit in Victoria's eyes.

Eleanor nodded, sitting down beside the bed. “However… she has one condition. You have to go live. You have to apologize to her, and to everyone.”

“What?” Victoria's face instantly froze.

A live stream? An apology?

God, she loathed even leaving her room after what happened. Every time she remembered people had seen her like that, she wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. And now Isabella wanted her to apologize publicly? To bring it all up again? Why was she forcing her to face this humiliation?

Seeing the outright resistance on her daughter's face, Eleanor spoke with solemn firmness. “Victoria, you need to face this. You do owe everyone an apology. And Isabella is trying to help you. You get back up where you fell. Only by facing your mistakes can you truly change and become a better person. Don't you understand?”

Hah! How noble. So inspiring. Victoria screamed internally.

They'd already taken her five percent share. Now they wanted to destroy her completely? Did she have to die for them to be satisfied?

No.3

Victoria seethed with a cold, calculating rage. Her outward composure was a stark contrast to the storm brewing within.

“You’re right, Mother,” she conceded, her voice a practiced mask of contrition. “I will offer Isabella a public apology. I’ll do it properly.”

Eleanor studied her daughter’s pitiful expression, a flicker of unease in her gut. The sincerity seemed rehearsed, hollow. Something fundamental had shifted in Victoria, a subtle but undeniable change Eleanor couldn't quite pinpoint. She dismissed it as a bad mood, turning to prepare a plate of sliced fruit for her.

Victoria’s gaze followed the glinting blade of the knife. Dark waves of loathing crashed behind her carefully neutral eyes. So Isabella wanted to play games? Victoria was more than ready. She would relish watching Isabella’s spectacular downfall at the Celestial Gala.

Paparazzi had swarmed the venue hours before the event was set to begin. The Celestial Gala was the modeling world’s most prestigious night. Every major supermodel would be there, including reclusive legends rarely seen in public.

The main attraction, however, was Isabella Montgomery. This was her first public appearance since the wedding scandal exploded.

Isabella, the nation's wealthiest heiress. Alexander, the charismatic and powerful CEO. Victoria, the world’s top supermodel. A scandal involving these three titans was irresistible.

Every reporter craved an exclusive, a shocking soundbite. By five in the evening, the area outside the venue was a chaotic sea of media and onlookers.

Isabella, finally dressed in her gown, slid into the waiting car.

No.4

Evelyn was behind the wheel. Nathaniel and Oliver sat flanking Isabella. The little boy clutched her hand, his expression wistful. “Mommy,” Oliver murmured, his voice small. “When can I go with you? I want everyone to know I’m your Momo. I want to be right beside you.”

A pang shot through Isabella’s heart. That could never happen, could it?

She forced a gentle tone. “When my career is more settled, sweetheart. I’ll take you everywhere. But first, my brave Momo needs to get stronger. You need a healthy, powerful heart for all those exciting events.”

“I will! I’ll be so strong!” Oliver promised, his face brightening.

His innocent determination twisted a knot of anxiety in her chest. Could she really leave in two months? Would he be fully recovered by then?

Her thoughts were interrupted as the car jerked to a halt about a kilometer from the venue. “There’s some kind of incident ahead,” Evelyn announced, peering through the windshield. “The road’s completely blocked. We’ll have to cut through the side alley.”

“Understood,” Isabella replied, her eyes scanning the congested street ahead.

The Gala attracted the city’s elite and their entourages. Clashes were not uncommon. Avoiding the commotion was the wiser choice. A narrow alleyway opened up just ahead, too tight for the car.

“We’ll have to walk from here,” Evelyn stated, shifting the car into park.

No.5

Nathaniel, who had been reviewing documents, finally looked up. He neatly filed the papers away and exited the vehicle, moving to open Isabella’s door. His voice was a low, husky murmur. “I’ll escort you through.”

“No, it’s fine,” Isabella said quickly, stepping out. She glanced toward the alley’s entrance. “Others might use this route too. If we’re seen together… it wouldn’t be good.” Her tone was laced with a reluctant worry.

Nathaniel’s brow furrowed. A shadow of disappointment crossed his features. “Am I an embarrassment to you now?” The question was sharp, edged with clear displeasure.

Isabella was taken aback. Of course he wasn’t, but…

Isabella Montgomery and Nathaniel Blackwood shared no real connection. They weren't even in a relationship. Why create unnecessary complications?

In two months, their paths would diverge completely. They'd become strangers again. If anyone discovered their current arrangement, it would be utterly humiliating.

She couldn't voice these thoughts in front of Oliver, so Isabella chose her words carefully. "You should stay with Christopher. The alley is only five hundred meters away. Evelyn will accompany me. We can discuss this after Christopher feels better."

Her final sentence carried a hidden meaning: Everything would end once Oliver recovered.

Nathaniel's expression darkened, but he didn't press further. "Take care of her," he instructed Evelyn.

No.6

"Yes, sir," Evelyn replied dutifully, moving to support the long train of Isabella's gown.

Isabella waved at Oliver. "Be good for Mommy, alright? Wait for me at home." She blew him a kiss.

Oliver reached out with his small, chubby hand, pretending to catch the floating kiss. His face lit up as if he'd truly captured it. "Okay! Be careful, Mommy!"

Isabella nodded and turned to leave. Nathaniel felt an unexpected pang of jealousy watching Oliver's tiny fist clutching the imaginary kiss...

The alley ran behind the venue, squeezed between two towering hotels. The pavement was even, manageable even in heels. Still, Isabella deliberately slowed her pace for Evelyn. Without the three-meter train, she would have walked alone. Evelyn noticed the consideration, feeling impressed.

Isabella usually maintained a cool, distant aura, except when speaking to Oliver. Yet in small gestures, she showed more genuine care than many superficially sweet celebrities. Still, these qualities weren't enough for someone like her to deserve Boss Blackwood!

They walked single file toward the venue. As they rounded the corner...

"Grrr!"

A massive brown Tibetan Mastiff suddenly charged toward them. The beast stood a meter tall, covered in thick, luxurious fur. It looked powerfully built, almost lion-like in its ferocity!

No.7

Before they could react, the mastiff lunged directly at Isabella!

"Ah! Watch out!" Evelyn screamed instinctively, grabbing Isabella and pulling her aside.

Isabella jumped away just as the mastiff leaped. Enraged by their escape, the dog emitted a deep, guttural bark. It launched forward again with monstrous speed.

"Run!" Evelyn's voice cracked with panic as she dragged Isabella into a sprint.

Nathaniel and Oliver were still outside. Mr. Blackwood could handle that beast if he were here!

But how could they outrun a mastiff? It would catch them in seconds.

The worst part: when they turned to flee, the alley's entrance was suddenly blocked by a large ceramic jar. They were trapped!