Chapter 1781
No.1
Reginald Thornton stepped forward, holding out the prepared paperwork.
Isabella hadn’t expected this. Not after being granted the diamond mine. A rare warmth flickered in her usually icy gaze.
Before she could pick up the pen, her adoptive father Frederick Montgomery protested loudly. “Father, have you gone mad? She already has a diamond mine worth billions! Why give her more? She doesn’t need it!”
Victoria quickly chimed in. “He’s right. Isabella is already overwhelmed. Managing Gray Diamond Empire, her modeling career… Adding family business responsibilities would be too much.”
Currently, William held thirty percent. Eleanor and Frederick each had twenty. Penelope and Gregory held ten. Benjamin had five. Sophia had five. Victoria possessed fifteen.
That left fifteen percent unclaimed.
Since Benjamin had willingly given his five percent to Victoria, she now held twenty. She had been coveting the remaining fifteen. With it, she would control thirty-five percent—more than William himself. She would become the majority shareholder and chair of the board.
She couldn’t let Isabella take it.
But William was firm. “Isabella has always been a Montgomery. She deserves these shares. As for the mine—she earned it with her own blood. If any of you are willing to risk your lives for one, you may keep yours too.”
No.2
He turned to Isabella. “Sign it. Ignore them.”
Isabella nodded. She took the pen and signed her name. If she refused, these shares would end up with Victoria. She would never allow that.
The room burned with hostile stares. Especially Victoria’s. She looked ready to explode.
She had waited five years for those shares. And now Isabella stole them. The woman already owned a diamond mine! Why did she need more?
“Everyone out,” William commanded. “I wish to speak with Isabella alone.”
They left, seething with resentment.
Once they were gone, William gestured for Isabella to approach. “Come. Sit with me.”
She moved closer and sat beside him. “Grandfather, regarding the mine…”
Even if he asked, she would never hand it over to the Montgomery family.
No.3
William patted her hand gently. “You did the right thing. You were never truly one of them. I can protect you now, but when I’m gone, they will turn on you.”
“You must safeguard your own fortune. You have no real family. Wealth is your only true ally.”
Isabella felt a pang of emotion. But confusion remained. “Why are you so kind to me?” she asked.
Everyone else despised her. Only William treated her like his own granddaughter. It made no sense.
A shadow crossed William’s eyes, there and gone in a flash. “You will understand in time.” He squeezed her hand. “For now, do not ask. It is not yet the moment.”
This only deepened Isabella’s bewilderment. What was he hiding? Why would he show such devotion to an adopted child? What secret lay behind his kindness?
In the Montgomery Manor gardens…
Victoria sat beneath a blooming jacaranda tree. Her blood still boiled from the recent events.
It would have been acceptable if William had transferred a small portion of shares to Isabella. But fifteen percent? Isabella now held the same stake as Victoria, the supposed true heiress of the Montgomery legacy.
No.4
To make it worse, netizens were glorifying Isabella, turning her into an icon. Others began questioning the earlier interview Victoria and Sophia had given. Speculations arose, branding Victoria as ‘fraudulent’ and ‘inauthentic’. Her ‘Top Supermodel’ title was on the verge of collapse.
Her agent, Isadora, stood nearby with a concerned expression. “Guci had finalized you for their seasonal cover. But they just called. They need more time to decide between you and Isabella.”
“What?” Victoria gasped, stunned.
Guci was no ordinary brand. It was the pinnacle of luxury fashion, adored by elites and coveted by the masses. An international powerhouse like Guci only featured established supermodels and A-list celebrities. Yet they were considering a newcomer like Isabella?
Watching Isabella and Grandpa sitting together in the nearby lounge, Victoria clenched her jaw.
“Victoria, securing the Guci ambassador contract is critical now. Losing it to Isabella would be disastrous,” Isadora warned.
Moreover, Isabella’s online popularity now rivaled her own. How could Victoria possibly win?
Popularity… Rivalry…
An idea sparked. Her eyes lit up as she turned to Isadora. “Call Guci management. Suggest they hire two models instead of one.”
No.5
“Victoria, you mean…” Isadora processed the thought, then understood. “Brilliant! No wonder you dominate the industry. I’ll contact them immediately.”
If Guci chose Isabella over Victoria for the Summer cover, Victoria’s reputation would shatter.
A collaboration would eliminate that risk. Victoria could leverage Isabella’s fame to boost her own. As the seasoned model, her shots would outshine any amateur’s. The world would see Victoria’s superiority.
Isabella was just a wealthy upstart. Victoria would seize this dual shoot opportunity.
Alexander approached just as Isadora hurried away. “What’s going on?” he asked, noticing the rush.
“Nothing serious, just…” A sly smile touched her lips. “I learned Isabella’s manager was pushing for the Guci Summer shoot. But Guci had already chosen me. I asked Isadora to request bringing Isabella along.”
“What? After how she treated you? You’d share this with her?” Alexander objected, displeased.
Victoria took his arm. “Alexander, darling, she’s still my sister. I wronged her five years ago. I want to make amends. Her career is just beginning. As her sister, I should help.”
“You’re too generous. Far better than that wretched Isabella! Remembering how she pursued me makes my skin crawl.”
No.6
As he spoke, inspiration struck. Isabella had adored Alexander from age three to eighteen. A fifteen-year infatuation! How could she just stop? Her targeted tweets about him were clearly attention-seeking ploys!
If Victoria used Alexander to manipulate Isabella, turning her into a docile housewife…
The idea thrilled her, but she masked it with a guilty demeanor, lowering her head.
“Oh… That’s right. Alexander, darling, Grandpa already transferred fifteen percent to Isabella. I’m afraid I can’t help you secure the shares anymore.”
Alexander frowned. Already? So fast?
Five years ago, the Whitmore and Montgomery families forced him to marry the grotesque Isabella. He loathed her, but always coveted the Montgomery shares. Marrying her would have granted him control.
Noticing his concern, Victoria gently cautioned, “Alexander, darling, I believe Isabella still loves you. Think: Why is she still single despite being the Diamond Queen? Her tweets focus on you, despite her massive following. She’s likely seeking your attention!
“If we revive our five-year plan—making her obsessed with you—she’ll probably transfer her shares and the diamond mine to you!”
Alexander’s eyes darkened. Victoria was right. Marrying Isabella would grant him the shares and the mine. Coordinating with Victoria, they could seize the remaining shares and take over the entire Montgomery empire!
No.7
He looked at her in awe. “Victoria, you’re genius! Are you sure you’re comfortable with me marrying her?”
They had Grandpa’s permission. Once they obtained the engagement token, they could wed.
Victoria replied softly, “Alexander, darling, I’ll miss you, but I believe in our future beyond this pain. I trust you won’t fall for her.”
Even if he did, Victoria had contingency plans. Everything would proceed as she orchestrated.
She continued, “Once you marry Isabella, you’ll get her diamond mine plus the family shares. You’ll become Westchester’s wealthiest. I’d sacrifice anything for you, even temporary separation,” she murmured, nestling into his arms.
Warmth flooded Alexander. He felt blessed to have such an understanding fiancée.
“Don’t worry, Victoria. I won’t fail you,” he vowed sincerely.
Dusk settled. Isabella had conversed with her grandfather extensively but still couldn’t uncover his secret. She departed only after he fell asleep. Approaching her motorcycle, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled alongside.