Chapter 1866
No.1
She strode forward and scooped up a small packet of powder from the ground. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she hurled it down the alley, away from the tank.
The mastiff leaped, snapping at the airborne packet, and charged after it, vanishing around a corner.
Isabella had spotted the packet the moment the dog charged. Velcro strips covered it, meant to cling to her clothes. Seraphina’s trap.
With the immediate threat gone, Isabella walked to a heavy metal gate. She pulled it shut with a definitive clang.
Silence descended. The danger was contained.
Meanwhile…
Seraphina thrashed in the murky sewage, only her head above the surface. She clung to a rusty metal bar, preventing a complete submersion.
She saw Isabella approaching. “Isabella! Pull me up! Get me out of here!” she shrieked.
Isabella stopped at the edge. She looked down, her expression icy. “Who are you? Why should I help you?”
No.2
“It’s me! Seraphina Delacroix! Director of SilverPeak Entertainment! The World’s Sexiest Supermodel! Now pull me up!” she demanded, gasping, her eyes blazing with fury.
Isabella calmly smoothed her sleeve. “Seraphina Delacroix? The illustrious supermodel? What is she doing in a place like this? How did she end up in a sewage tank?” Her voice dripped with mockery. “Covered in filth. I honestly couldn’t tell it was you.”
“You… You did this! You turned that beast on me!” Seraphina snarled, teeth gritted. “You vicious witch! Help me now, and I might forget this. Otherwise, my family will use every resource to destroy you!”
Her words were pure threat, laced with arrogant entitlement.
Isabella merely offered a contemptuous scoff. She brushed her hands together dismissively and turned to leave.
Seraphina’s face flushed crimson with rage and humiliation. How dare she? Was Isabella not afraid of the Delacroix family’s power? Was she actually walking away?
Her eyes burned with pure hatred as she watched Isabella walk away. “Isabella Montgomery! You vicious snake! Stop right there! If you take another step, I’ll drag you to court! You set that beast on me, pushed me into this filth, and deliberately injured me! I’ll make sure you rot behind bars!”
Isabella halted abruptly. She pulled out her phone and began typing.
Seraphina’s rage flickered, replaced by smug satisfaction. “What’s this? Finally scared? Calling your little helpers? Listen carefully—get someone on the line right now, or I swear I’ll ruin you!”
No.3
“Be my guest. It might even trend. But such a masterpiece… it deserves an audience, don’t you think?” Isabella’s voice was ice. She turned the screen toward Seraphina.
The footage was horrifying. Seraphina, submerged to her chin in putrid sludge. Her hands white-knuckling a rusted bar. Filth matted her hair, streaked her face. And her expression—twisted, monstrous, snarling like a rabid animal.
Seraphina’s face purpled with fury. “Delete it! Erase it now!”
“Such a waste to delete, though. You wanted to sue me, correct? No cameras around. This… this is your evidence. How will your fans react? Pity? Or will they laugh at the spectacle?” Isabella’s tone remained chillingly calm.
Seraphina felt bile rise. This was a counter-threat. That video was a weapon aimed right at her.
She ground her teeth. “Isabella Montgomery, you’re pure evil! A twisted, sick monster! Just you wait—argh!”
Her body jerked. She sank deeper. A wave of foul liquid flooded her mouth. Exhaustion was winning. Her grip was failing.
“Seraphina Delacroix. Five seconds.” Isabella’s voice cut through the panic. “Confess everything, and I pull you out. Keep lying… well.”
She tapped her phone. A timer appeared. Five. Four. Three…
No.4
“Isabella! You witch! I’ve never met anyone as vile as you! You’ll—”
The timer blared. Time was up.
Without a word, Isabella turned. Her posture was regal, untouchable. Evelyn gathered the hem of her gown, following like a loyal attendant.
Seraphina’s arms screamed in agony. She had seconds before she went under completely. Terror won. “I’ll talk! I’ll tell you! It was Victoria! Victoria Kensington! She told me to use the mastiff! The beast is always near my office!”
“Several departments tried to remove it! It’s too aggressive! Victoria sent a note! I got the attractant powder! I only did it because you’re always in my way!”
It didn’t matter. She could still destroy Isabella later.
Isabella’s brow furrowed. Victoria. Again. Scheming even from a hospital bed.
Seraphina sank further. Another gulp of sewage choked her.
Isabella grabbed a discarded rope nearby. She tossed it down. “Grab it. Yourself.”
No.5
“I… I have no strength…” Seraphina wanted to beg for help, but the look in Isabella’s eyes froze the words in her throat. She knew that look. No mercy. No second chances.
She summoned every last ounce of will. Her fingers closed around the rough fiber.
Isabella stepped back. Evelyn moved to assist, but Isabella raised a hand. With seemingly effortless strength, she began to pull.
Evelyn stared, stunned. How could someone so slender possess such raw power?
Isabella used one hand. She pulled Seraphina from the two-meter pit without a single strained breath. It was terrifying. Unnatural.
Where did that strength come from?
Seraphina finally got pulled out, collapsing on the ground, completely drained and reeking of foul odor.
She scrambled to her feet and charged straight at Isabella.
“Isabella! I’ll ruin you! You’ll pay for all of this!” Her murderous rage was palpable in her stance. The deep wound from the mastiff attack—the gash running down her back—required immediate hospital treatment. That meant she’d miss the Celestial Gala. If she didn’t show, her awards would go to someone else!
No.6
How could she just stand by and watch Isabella attend in that stunning gown? No way! She wanted to attack Isabella and scar her face!
Isabella remained completely calm, phone in hand, simply watching Seraphina charge toward her.
“Go ahead. Hurt even one strand of my hair, and I’ll post this video and recording immediately! Everyone will see how you, Seraphina Delacroix, tried to attack me with a mastiff but ended up falling into the sewage tank! Oh, and a friendly reminder: Attempted assault could land you in jail for a year!” Isabella stated clearly, already logged into her Twitter account.
Seraphina, mid-charge, froze in her tracks. Her face twisted into something ugly as she stood there, completely immobilized.
Isabella had recorded everything!
If that footage got out, it would be the end of Seraphina! This was the first time she’d felt such intense hatred, and it was utterly agonizing!
“Isabella! You’re pure evil! I’ll never forgive you! Never—”
“Ugh! Stay away from me, you filthy sewage woman! Disgusting!” Isabella rolled her eyes at Seraphina before turning to walk away arrogantly.
After a few steps, she paused and glanced back at Seraphina one last time. “Ah, yes. I can threaten you once, and I can do it again. Cross me one more time, and I won’t hesitate to post this clip and recording online!” A satisfied smirk curled Isabella’s lips as she turned and left for good.
No.7
Seraphina remained rooted to the spot. She was so furious she felt like vomiting blood! Not only had Isabella humiliated her, but she’d threatened her again before leaving! Was she trying to kill her?
Left with no other options, Seraphina clenched her fists tightly and screamed, “Argh!” She had to make Isabella pay for this! She absolutely would!
Evelyn followed behind Isabella, filled with admiration. Under such pressure, Isabella had handled the mastiff and turned the tables on Seraphina, exposing her true ugliness. Evelyn suddenly understood why Boss Nathaniel was so deeply in love with Isabella…
Seraphina cried out in fear, “I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you everything! It was Victoria! Victoria told me to use the mastiff against you! The mastiff is always lurking near my office!
“Many departments have tried to catch it, but it’s too strong! After Victoria sent me a note about it, I got the special powder to attract it. I only did this because you keep getting in my way!”
It didn’t matter. Seraphina could still find a way to eliminate Isabella later!
Isabella frowned; it was Victoria again! Still scheming maliciously, even from her hospital bed.
Seraphina’s body sank deeper, and she accidentally swallowed another mouthful of sewage water.
Isabella picked up a discarded rope nearby and tossed it toward her. “Grab it yourself,” she scoffed.