Chapter 1622
No.1
A sudden thought struck Arabella. “Does this apply to all models?”
“Equal treatment for everyone.” Six words, delivered with crisp efficiency.
Isabella handed her several files. Arabella accepted them, scanning the detailed plans for herself and other top models. Each plan eliminated forced personas and tailored opportunities to their natural strengths. Far superior to SilverPeak’s proposals!
Arabella stayed behind, representing the others, to review GoldenPhoenix’s full strategy. Every detail was meticulously crafted.
She stood, extending her hand. “President Montgomery, I look forward to our collaboration.”
“Likewise.” Isabella shook her hand firmly. “Remember to inform the others: if these high-value contracts fail, I stand to lose the most.” A faint, confident smile touched Isabella’s lips as she exited.
The reminder hit Arabella. The termination clauses were nearly a billion per model. Isabella paid them all upfront. If they underperformed, her losses would be staggering. Yet she invested massively, offered bespoke plans, and took minimal commission. What was her real goal?
Watching Isabella leave, Arabella realized she was different. Not like other models. Not like any manager she’d ever met.
After the meeting, Isabella headed to another office to meet Julian Hawthorne and Adrian Sinclair. Julian was absent, but Adrian’s face lit up upon seeing her. “Isabella! Finally free to visit?” he greeted warmly. “Has it really been five years?”
No.2
“What’s this? Miss me? Need me checking in on you?” she teased lightly.
Adrian hastily fastened his top button. “No need! I’ve been buried in work. And you, since Victoria’s exposure! The paparazzi must be hounding you. No time to check on anyone else.”
Isabella’s expression darkened at Victoria’s mention. The paparazzi had indeed swarmed, seeking interviews she consistently declined. Perhaps a public appearance was needed soon. To shame the couple properly.
Adrian’s tone turned serious. “Speaking of Victoria… the news reminded me of something from five years ago. Something I should have warned you about. That night… I saw Victoria meeting a man. They were talking privately.”
“A man?” Isabella’s brow furrowed. She gripped his wrist tightly. “What did he look like?”
Adrian watched her reaction with amusement. "I've never seen you so worked up before," he teased. "So you do have feelings after all."
They had maintained contact over the past five years, but the Isabella he knew now was completely different from the woman he remembered. She had transformed into someone who rarely showed emotion, as if nothing could penetrate her icy exterior.
Isabella's brow furrowed slightly. Before returning to the city, she hadn't cared about finding that man. She only wanted closure. But after spending time with Nathaniel, her hatred had grown into something visceral and consuming.
She released her grip on Adrian's wrist, composing herself. "Of course I care. A monster like that shouldn't be allowed to walk free. He's a danger to everyone."
No.3
"Always the responsible CEO," Adrian remarked. His expression turned serious. "But at the club, we were too far apart. I only caught a glimpse of him through the crowd. Couldn't see his face clearly. The only thing I noticed was that he was one of Sebastian's men."
"Sebastian Blackwood?" Isabella's eyes narrowed.
Adrian nodded. "The man wore a distinctive half-moon ring. I remember it because the design caught my eye. It was the Blackthorn Syndicate's symbol. If you want to investigate, have Maxwell and his team put pressure on them. You might find some leads."
Isabella considered this. Putting pressure on the syndicate sounded like a solid plan.
Just as she was about to act, her phone rang urgently. Maxwell's excited voice came through. "Boss Montgomery! That Nightshade formula you developed last year just sold for ninety million! You'll never guess who bought it!"
"Not interested," Isabella said flatly. She had created the formula out of boredom and hadn't cared about its fate.
Maxwell sounded disappointed. "It was your sister Victoria! She even arranged to meet Boss Blackwood at The Ivy! Room 999!"
"What?" Isabella's expression darkened. "She's meeting Nathaniel?"
The Nightshade perfume had powerful aphrodisiac properties. This could lead to disastrous consequences. "Forget about Nathaniel for now," she ordered. "I want you to round up every member of the Blackthorn Syndicate. Leave no one behind."
No.4
"All of them? Boss, are you serious-"
Beep, beep, beep!
Isabella ended the call without waiting for his response. She didn't have time to explain further to Adrian as she strode out of the building, already dialing Nathaniel's number.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel sat in the back of his luxury car as Dominic drove into The Ivy's parking lot. His eyes were closed, but Isabella's words from their confrontation at The Ritz-Carlton echoed in his mind. She had made it clear she didn't want his involvement, and as a man of honor, he should respect that.
But someone had threatened her. How could he possibly stay out of it?
As he wrestled with his thoughts...
Ring, ring! His phone vibrated, the screen displaying the caller ID: (Wife).
Nathaniel’s brow furrowed. Isabella never called him. “What is it?” he answered, voice guarded.
She was already on her motorcycle, phone pressed between her shoulder and ear. “Don’t meet Victoria. Ask me anything you want when you get home. I’ll tell you everything.”
No.5
His expression darkened. “You know?”
“There’s little I don’t. Nathaniel, if you don’t want to be my enemy, come home now. I’ll be waiting. Victoria is setting a trap. Don’t go.” She ended the call.
She was certain he would return. With that handled, Isabella used a burner phone to text Alexander.
[Victoria Kensington collapsed in room 999 at The Ivy. She only left your number.]
Her eyes turned cold after sending it. Knowing Alexander, he would investigate. If they slept together, the scandal would be everywhere. Those two deserved each other. With Alexander occupied by Victoria, he would stop bothering her.
Did Victoria really think she could seduce a man even Isabella hesitated to touch? Not a chance.
Meanwhile, at The Ivy…
Victoria wore a crimson dress with a deep V-neck. Her alluring figure and innocent face were a devastating combination. She smirked at the Nightshade perfume in the corner.
The perfume was potent. Victoria had tested it. Applied five minutes before his arrival, it would shatter any man’s self-control. The scent would fill the air, working quickly.
No.6
But she was growing impatient. “What’s happening?” she called Penelope. “Is Nathaniel here?”
“Yes, his car just entered the parking lot,” Penelope confirmed.
Victoria hung up and sprayed the perfume. She had also placed childhood photos of Isabella. Nathaniel’s interest in Isabella would make him look. Before he finished, the scent and her presence would overwhelm him. Soon, she would be his. Pregnant with his heir. She would control the Montgomery family through him. Or at least secure a massive fortune.
She positioned the hidden camera, took the antidote for the scent, and waited on the sofa. Twenty minutes passed. The antidote was wearing off. Her vision blurred. Heat spread through her body.
Click.
The door opened. A tall, powerful figure entered.
Victoria looked up. Nathaniel’s handsome face captivated her. Her body burned, but a sliver of rationality remained. Wait. Let the scent affect him. Let him make the first move.
He walked toward her. He didn’t notice her flushed state. He didn’t speak. He picked up the photo album on the table and began flipping through it.
Halfway through, his movements slowed. His gaze finally landed on her.
No.7
The sound was intoxicating. His Adam’s apple moved. He closed the distance between them.
Finally. She had succeeded. She was Nathaniel’s woman. She would never wait for Alexander again.
Isabella Montgomery pulled up to the Blackwood Estate on her motorcycle. She spotted Oliver in the living room, intently focused on his laptop.
She approached cautiously. “Christopher, where’s your father?”
“Daddy went out earlier and hasn’t returned. Why are you home so soon, Mommy?” Oliver set aside his device and hurried toward her. He lifted his arms expectantly. Isabella instinctively scooped him up. “Did your father drive himself?” she pressed, a frown forming. “Or was Dominic with him?”
“Uncle Dominic was driving,” Oliver replied.
Isabella quickly calculated the timing. Dominic typically drove around 40 kilometers per hour. The trip from the estate to The Ivy should have taken no more than 25 minutes. She had been gone for half an hour—so why wasn’t Nathaniel back yet? Had she misjudged the situation? Maybe he hadn’t heeded her warning and went to meet Victoria after all. A surge of unease shot through her. She set Oliver down on the sofa and pulled out her phone to call Nathaniel.
Beep, beep, beep!