Chapter 1864

No.1

She turned to see him approaching with a canvas.

The artwork depicted three figures sleeping on a bed—a man and woman cradling a small boy between them. Rendered in oils, the subjects were unmistakably themselves.

Isabella stared in shock. "Momo, you painted this?"

"Yes! Do you like it, Mommy?" Hope sparkled in his eyes.

"Of course! You're so young yet created something this impressive! You're more talented than me!" She praised warmly, ruffling his hair.

Oliver jumped joyfully. "I'm glad you like it! I got inspired early this morning. I'll ask someone to hang it beside our bed!"

Her smile faltered slightly. He wanted to display it near the bed? What if his grandparents or relatives visited? They would undoubtedly see it.

The portrait was unmistakably her.

Isabella started to speak. “Christopher, what if we don’t—”

No.2

Before she could finish, Oliver chirped, “I’ll handle it right now, Mommy! See you soon!” He dashed off on his little legs.

Isabella sighed. That boy…

It didn’t matter. No one had visited her at the estate since she moved in. Oliver mentioned his grandparents didn’t like him. They probably wouldn’t come.

She refocused. Preparations for the Celestial Gala tonight demanded attention. Though it was ten hours away, her gown required a perfect hairstyle. Matching accessories and shoes were essential. She wanted to honor Mr. Ashford’s effort.

After breakfast, Evelyn approached her with a box. “Ms. Montgomery, Mr. Blackwood assigned me to style you today.”

Isabella had avoided Nathaniel since the morning incident. His thoughtfulness surprised her.

Evelyn was Nathaniel’s top assistant. She specialized in serving elite clients, including styling. Her work was impeccable.

Isabella sat before the mirror. “Thank you.”

Evelyn began styling her hair.

No.3

Soon, Isabella’s phone lit up on the desk. The caller ID showed ‘Mom.’

It was Eleanor. She was calling.

Though Eleanor never acted like a mother, and Isabella didn’t see her as one, she kept the contact name to maintain her cover.

Isabella answered flatly. “Yes?”

“Isabella, where are you staying? I went to Rosewood Manor and you weren’t there.” Eleanor’s tone was unusually gentle.

After talking with her husband Richard, Eleanor had searched for Isabella. She couldn’t find her.

Isabella’s eyes flickered. She gave a vague excuse. “Another property. Contact me if you need me.”

“Nothing urgent. I wanted to ask if you’d like to live with us? You’re a Montgomery. Living alone isn’t proper,” Eleanor said.

Isabella didn’t expect an invitation. She remembered how Eleanor and Richard had bodyguards escort her away on her first day back. Contempt flashed in her eyes. “I apologize, but I don’t plan to return. As my mother, you know how everyone despises an adopted daughter. To avoid conflict, I prefer living alone.”

No.4

Eleanor sighed. Even if she and Richard accepted Isabella, others might not. After a pause, she continued. “Isabella, can I ask a favor? The Montgomerys have connections with the Celestial Gala organizers. You’ll win awards tonight. Could you say something kind about your sister during interviews? Please don’t criticize her further…”

Isabella’s eyes dulled. So this was the real reason for the call. Victoria committed terrible acts, yet Eleanor still defended her?

Connections? Isabella could win awards without Montgomery connections.

Sensing her displeasure, Eleanor sighed. “I know Victoria made bad choices. She’s unforgivable. As punishment, I transferred her five-percent shares to your father. She’s also badly injured and still in a coma. She’s suffered enough… I hope you can forgive her a little.”

Isabella frowned. They actually took five percent of her shares? Victoria would be furious! With only five percent left, she had little influence in the family. What could she do now?

Isabella’s lips curved slightly. “I’ll say a few words to the media. Under one condition.”

“What condition?” Eleanor asked immediately.

Isabella remained silent for a long moment before finally responding. “When she wakes up, she must go live and apologize. In front of all her followers and the press. She has to confess everything she did and apologize to me directly.”

Victoria had been hiding in that hospital room, pretending to be sick, lying in that bed. She thought she could just avoid the whole mess. Did she really believe that after everything, she could just stay quiet and wait for people to forget? Not a chance.

No.5

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.6

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.7

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.