Chapter 1850
No.1
"Victoria, my dear, you promised you would take care of yourself," Eleanor fretted, her voice thick with maternal worry. "Look at these calluses on your hands! And that faint scar on your cheek! You are a Montgomery heiress! How could you subject yourself to such hardship?"
Richard Montgomery's face was a mask of paternal anguish. "We have cherished you since the day you came to us. I've always handled you like the most precious porcelain. The thought of you alone in some remote village, doing manual labor... it breaks my heart. Did you even consider how this would make your mother and I feel?"
Victoria kept her head bowed low.
"I'm so sorry, Father, Mother, Grandfather, and everyone I love."
"I deeply regret causing you all such worry."
"My only intention was to atone. To seek redemption."
"You don't need to go to such extremes to repent," Eleanor murmured while applying ointment to the scar. "Everyone makes mistakes. I forgave you long ago."
A collective sigh filled the room.
Everyone admired Victoria's actions, including Theodore Montgomery, who seemed genuinely pleased to have her home. Among all the family members, Victoria was the only one who had chosen to live humbly in a remote, rural area. Her actions had garnered widespread respect and admiration, even causing the family's stock shares to rise.
No.2
Victoria basked in the greetings and concern from everyone, feeling deeply satisfied.
Then the maid announced, "Ms. Kensington, Mr. Whitmore is here."
All eyes turned to see Alexander and Isabella entering side by side. Isabella's arm was linked with Alexander's, and he held her hand with a gentle firmness. They were a stunning power couple, seemingly made for each other. Their brilliance outshone even the glimmering stars in the night sky.
Victoria's eye twitched violently. A sharp pang of jealousy and anger stabbed through her heart.
Isabella and Alexander were so close, so sweet with each other! Alexander was even holding her hand!
Although Alexander had cheated with her, he had never been publicly seen with another woman. He had always maintained a well-behaved image over the years. Why was he so intimate with Isabella now?!
As the couple stepped into the living room, Isabella secretly glanced at Victoria and flashed a smirk only she could see. In pain? Suffering?
Hah. Served her right!
Isabella then looked at Victoria with an inquisitive gaze. "Victoria, when did you return? You should have told us earlier. Alex and I would have picked you up."
No.3
Alex? She called him Alex?!
Alexander jolted slightly, caught off guard by the strange sensation that nickname evoked.
This drove Victoria insane. He was still her man. Hers! Isabella was blatantly showing off in front of her. No matter how much it hurt, Victoria couldn't show it. She had to suppress her emotions.
Fortunately, Eleanor changed the subject. "Isabella, Victoria went to the countryside because of you. She didn't want to come back. She only returned when I told her about your wedding tomorrow. Please tell her you forgive her. Ask her never to go back to such a place again."
Eleanor's heart ached terribly whenever she thought of poor Victoria in that run-down area.
Isabella gave Victoria a thorough once-over. Victoria had actually gotten prettier in just a month. Her skin was fair and flawless like porcelain. Did she look like she had endured any hardship at all? Only someone as gullible as Eleanor would believe her!
Isabella chose to keep that observation to herself. Instead, she replied, "I let it go a long time ago. Actually, I'm even grateful you returned Alex to me. To show my gratitude, I'd like to ask you to be my bridesmaid."
Bridesmaid? Was Isabella seriously asking Victoria to be her bridesmaid?
Tomorrow's ceremony would be filled with important figures. Rumor had it even the Blackwood men might show up, along with hundreds of paparazzi! If she could be the bridesmaid, she would gain immense attention and popularity!
No.4
Why would Isabella be so nice to her?
Victoria looked at her suspiciously. "Isabella, are you sure? You're not angry with me anymore? You truly want me as your bridesmaid?"
"Of course! I even have a gown prepared for you as the bridesmaid!" Isabella chirped, making a gesture.
Her assistant, Evelyn—arranged by Nathaniel—entered carrying a box. She presented it to Victoria.
Victoria accepted the box. A slight frown appeared on her face as she peered inside.
Inside the box lay a bridesmaid dress, custom-tailored just for her.
It was a strapless silk gown, the fabric so delicate it seemed to float on air. Yet it was crafted in a pale coffee-brown shade—Victoria’s least favorite color.
This particular tone of brown had a way of casting a sallow, sickly pallor over the skin. Anyone wearing it would look washed out and utterly common.
Victoria understood now why Isabella had been unusually kind. She intended to dress her bridesmaid in something hideous. Still, how could Victoria pass up a chance to land on the front page?
No.5
She put on a show of gratitude, eyes glistening. “Thank you, Isabella! You’re so thoughtful. I’ll be your bridesmaid tomorrow and give you my full blessing.”
“Hmph. If that’s all, I’ll see you at The Ritz-Carlton. Nine sharp,” Isabella replied.
Eleanor had asked Isabella to come to the Montgomery manor so she could tell Victoria she was forgiven. That way, Victoria would never return to those dark places. Hearing Isabella’s agreement pleased Eleanor greatly.
“You sisters should always support each other like this,” Eleanor said warmly. “It keeps the gossip at bay.”
“Oh, and Isabella—since so many entertainment industry elites will be at your wedding, remember to introduce them to your sister.”
Victoria’s career had been struggling lately. Without Gabriella to secure roles, many opportunities were snatched by others. Even though her Instagram following was growing, she was far from her former glory.
Isabella’s lips curved slightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to help Victoria tomorrow.”
Her words carried a double meaning no one caught. Though Victoria sensed something odd, she brushed it off. She would stay alert during the ceremony. Isabella wouldn’t dare try anything obvious.
Besides, even if Isabella didn’t help her, she could seize opportunities on her own. The Blackwood men were drawn to Isabella—perhaps they could be drawn to her instead…
No.6
Each of them was lost in their own schemes.
The wedding day arrived amid great anticipation. The Ritz-Carlton was packed with guests even early in the morning. Security teams maintained order while reporters weaved through the crowd, filming and live-streaming.
The hotel lobby was transformed into an enchanted forest dreamscape. Flower arches lined the path. Lush greenery and white jasmine blooms created an ethereal, breathtaking scene.
It wasn’t Isabella’s preferred style—it was Victoria’s favorite.
Victoria had imagined her own wedding to Alexander countless times. It always included jasmine flowers, a towering champagne fountain, an exquisite wedding cake…
She never dreamed she’d see it come to life at Isabella and Alexander’s wedding. When she arrived with Eleanor and the others at the hotel entrance, she was stunned. A red carpet ran beneath nine jasmine arches stretching all the way to the doors. The setting was opulent and gorgeous.
Envy clawed at her, threatening to drive her mad. Paparazzi swarmed around them, hurling questions.
“Mr. Montgomery, is this sudden wedding between Isabella and Alexander a business arrangement?”
“Ms. Victoria Kensington, you were with Alexander for five years. How do you feel today?”
No.7
Though such questions were asked, the reporters Victoria had pre-arranged quickly shifted the focus.
“Ms. Victoria, is it true you traveled to the Cotswolds Countryside to aid the villagers?”
“Based on your posts, are you atoning for what Gabriella did?”
“Did you expect to gain seventy million followers in just a month?”
“Your fans have nicknamed you the ‘Country Angel.’ What are your thoughts?”
All attention was on Victoria, as if she were the star of the show.
Flashing cameras surrounded Victoria. She basked in the attention she had always craved.
With practiced grace, she addressed the eager reporters. “Everything in those videos is completely authentic. If you require further proof, please observe these marks on my hands.”
She extended her palms toward the lenses, displaying the fresh blisters. “We’ve all made mistakes we regret. My manager, myself… everyone. I chose to live in the countryside to reconnect with a simpler existence. I sought spiritual purification. My goal is to atone and eventually assist others in need.”