Chapter 1811
No.1
The strip was partially damp, embedded with complex components. Any trace of halophilic bacteria on her skin would trigger a color change from white to purple.
The crowd turned on her, voices sharp with accusation. "You claimed innocence! Hurry up and do it!"
"Where's that arrogance now? Prove it!"
"Scared? We need to see the results!"
The taunts grew into a deafening roar. Cornered, Isabella had no choice. She reached out. Her fingers squeezed the strip.
It turned purple immediately.
She was guilty. The evidence was on her fingertips.
"I knew it! It's her! She's pure evil!"
"Just over some petty arguments? How could she poison us?"
No.2
"She's a viper! You'll pay for our medical bills! And our trauma! And our lost wages!"
The models erupted in fury, hurling abuse. Nathaniel Blackwood watched, his brow furrowed. This was unexpected. The cunning Isabella Montgomery, trapped?
Yet, she sat perfectly composed. A cold smile touched her red lips. Victoria had outdone herself this time. The plan was clever.
Isabella deduced the poison was on the juice bottle Veronica had handed her. She had contaminated her own hand disposing of it.
Since they wanted to play this game, she would play. And she would make it interesting.
Officer Pierce produced handcuffs. "Ms. Montgomery, you are under arrest for the intentional poisoning of your colleagues. Come with us."
"Fine," she replied, her tone breezy. She stood in one fluid motion. A swish of her long hair. She walked toward the police car, her steps confident, her aura undiminished.
She didn't look like a criminal being arrested. She looked like a CEO heading to a board meeting.
The crowd stared, baffled. No explanations? No denials? What was happening?
No.3
"She's scared stiff with the evidence," someone muttered.
The officers ignored them and got into the car. Victoria struggled to her feet, feigning weakness. "No... This is a mistake. It can't be my sister... She isn't capable of this. Please, don't take her."
"Victoria," Gabriella reasoned, "the evidence is right there. Why defend her? She's just an adopted orphan. Who knows what kind of criminals her real parents were!"
Victoria clutched Gabriella's shirt, her performance flawless. "Gabriella, I know her. She's not like that. Please, call Mother and Father. Have them hire the best detectives. Find the truth!"
Her face was a mask of frantic worry, perfectly convincing. Gabriella played her part with equal skill. It was a masterclass in deception.
The police car began to pull away.
The car door slammed shut.
Chris let out a piercing scream.
He bolted forward, tiny legs pumping furiously. "Mommy! Mommy!"
No.4
Nathaniel scooped him up in one swift motion. A large hand covered the boy's mouth, muffling the desperate cries.
He carried the struggling child through the main doors. The police car was already gone, vanished into the city streets.
Chris thrashed violently. He sank his teeth into Nathaniel's hand with all his strength.
Nathaniel's brow furrowed. He didn't release his grip. He shoved the boy into the backseat and slammed the car door.
The interior fell silent except for choked sobs. Chris realized they were alone. No bodyguards. No driver.
Tears streamed down his face. "Daddy! Why? Why did you stop me? Mommy needs us! She's innocent! I know she is!"
His small fists pounded against Nathaniel's chest. "Did you stop loving her? You're a traitor! A monster!"
Nathaniel caught the flailing hands. His voice was low and firm. "Enough. The authorities are handling this. What exactly did you plan to do?"
"I...I would have thought of something! I couldn't just watch them take her!" Chris wailed, his body shaking with grief.
No.5
"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.6
[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.7
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.