Chapter 27

No.1

“Expose me?” Isabella let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “Go ahead. Be my guest.” Her tone was unyielding, filled with defiant confidence.

Victoria hated this version of Isabella—proud, stubborn, and utterly uncontrollable. How could a mere mistress act so arrogantly?

Just then, Victoria noticed paparazzi lurking outside the boutique, their cameras aimed discreetly through the window. An idea sparked in her mind. She stepped forward and gently grasped Isabella’s arm.

“Sister, Mother and Sophia only want what’s best for you. If you made a mistake, just apologize. Or if you’re in trouble, tell us. We’ll forgive you.”

“Forgive me?” Isabella’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t have the right to forgive anyone. Get your hands off me!” She jerked her arm away forcefully.

“Ah!” Victoria stumbled backward, crashing into a glass display counter.

The counter shattered instantly, scattering shards of glass across the floor. Victoria fell hard, crying out as a piece of glass sliced deep into her palm.

“Victoria!” Two voices shouted in unison—Eleanor and Alexander.

Alexander rushed to her side, his face pale with worry. “Victoria, you’re bleeding!” he exclaimed, helping her up.

“I’m fine, really,” Victoria whispered, clutching his sleeve. “It was an accident. Isabella didn’t mean to push me. Please don’t blame her.”

No.2

Alexander’s handsome features twisted into a mask of cold anger. He turned his glare toward Isabella. “Isabella! Your sister was trying to help you! How could you be so cruel? You’re nothing but a heartless viper!”

“You wretched girl!” Eleanor snarled, her eyes burning with hatred. “How dare you hurt my daughter? Don’t you know she needs her hands to play the piano? Who do you think you are, laying a finger on Victoria?”

Isabella had long grown accustomed to Eleanor's venomous glare over the years. This woman was completely bewitched by Victoria. Even if she discovered Victoria was adopted, she would still take her side.

Speaking to them felt utterly exhausting. Isabella issued a cold command. "Security. Escort them out immediately."

The guards originally meant to remove Isabella now approached Sophia and her group instead.

Sophia cradled her dislocated arm, the white-hot pain still searing. She snarled through clenched teeth. "Don't you dare act so superior, Isabella! I refuse to spend another second in this pathetic store. It's beneath me! Just you wait. This afternoon, I'll expose your true hideous face to the world. Your reputation will be utterly destroyed!"

Sophia refused to let the guards touch her. She struggled to walk out on her own. Alexander and Julian supported Victoria. They shot Isabella looks of pure, unadulterated hatred. Victoria held herself like a regal white swan, the cherished princess. Though she secretly threw a filthy glance at Isabella.

So what if she owned a diamond store? Isabella still lost to her! Alexander was hers. Eleanor was hers. Even the Montgomery family was hers!

Suddenly... "Wait." Isabella's clear voice cut through the tension.

Alexander and the others instinctively halted, turning to look at her. They were visibly startled.

No.3

"Please settle the bill for the shattered gold-plated display case. The total is three hundred thousand dollars."

Isabella casually took a card machine, shaking it before them nonchalantly.

Sophia, Eleanor, Alexander, and Victoria were completely dumbfounded.

Their eyes burned crimson with rage. Eleanor, harboring the deepest grudge, snapped. "How utterly shameless, Isabella! After all these years leaching off the Montgomery family's resources, you have the audacity to demand money? And three hundred thousand at that?!"

"Fine. Here's your three hundred thousand! But tonight, you will return to the Montgomery estate and repay every cent you've ever used!"

Eleanor produced a card and flung it at Isabella.

Isabella picked up the card and threw it directly back at Eleanor. "Unfortunately, the display case was broken by Victoria. I will only accept payment from her."

Victoria's face flushed red with fury. Her hand was already injured. Now she had to pay Isabella 300,000? Isabella wasn't giving her a moment's respite!

She desperately wanted to kill Isabella on the spot. But she quickly composed herself, remembering the paparazzi outside and her plans. She swallowed her rage, adopting a soothing tone.

"Mother, Sister is right," she murmured. "I broke it, so I should pay for it." She pulled out a card, though her eyes still blazed with anger. She would make Isabella pay dearly for this arrogance and this ridiculous 300,000 'damage'.

No.4

After swiping the card, Isabella tossed it back to her. "You may leave now."

The four of them stormed out of the store, fumes practically visible above their heads.

As they exited, Sophia yelled back. "Just you wait, Isabella! Tune in to the press conference at three o'clock today. I want to see you beg for mercy!"

Isabella's lips curved into a smirk. Cry? Oh, someone would definitely be crying.

She then scanned the store. "Why is everyone just standing around? Clean this place up. Now."

"Yes, Miss Montgomery," the staff replied in unison, immediately starting the cleanup.

Isabella was shameless, but they were still employees. They needed these jobs.

The general manager feigned innocence, pretending to join the cleanup effort.

"You're fired!" Isabella snapped.

In less than an hour, Twitter was flooded with trending hashtags.

No.5

#IsabellaMontgomery-owner#Isabella-attacks-Victoria#Isabella-pushes-Victoria#Isabella-abuses-foster-mother

These were the hottest discussion topics. It was blatantly obvious they were orchestrated to attack Isabella. Netizens happily joined the fray, eager for the drama.

[OMG! She's been fully exposed! How can she still be so arrogant?!]

[If it weren't for Eleanor Kensington, she would have died years ago! How dare she treat her mother like that?]

Isabella had long grown accustomed to Eleanor's venomous stares over the years. This woman was completely devoted to Victoria. Even knowing Victoria was adopted wouldn't change her allegiance.

Dealing with them felt utterly exhausting. Isabella issued a cold command. "Security. Escort them out immediately."

The guards originally meant to remove Isabella now approached Sophia and her group instead.

Sophia cradled her dislocated arm, pain radiating through her. She snarled through clenched teeth. "Don't act so superior, Isabella! I wouldn't waste another second in this pathetic store. It's beneath me! Just wait. This afternoon, everyone will witness your true hideous nature. Your reputation will be completely destroyed!"

Sophia refused to let the guards touch her. She stumbled out on her own. Alexander and Julian supported Victoria. They shot Isabella looks of pure, unadulterated hatred. Victoria maintained her graceful, swan-like composure. The cherished princess. Though she secretly threw Isabella a filthy glare.

So what if she owned a diamond store? Isabella still lost to her! Alexander belonged to her. Eleanor belonged to her. Even the Montgomery family was hers!

No.6

Suddenly... "Wait." Isabella's clear voice cut through the air.

Alexander and the others instinctively halted. They turned to look at her, clearly startled.

"Please settle the bill for the shattered gold-plated display case. That will be three hundred thousand dollars total."

Isabella casually waved a card reader before them.

Sophia, Eleanor, Alexander, and Victoria were utterly dumbfounded.

Their eyes burned crimson with rage. Eleanor, harboring the deepest resentment, snapped first. "How utterly shameless, Isabella! After all these years living off the Montgomery family's wealth! And you dare demand three hundred thousand?!"

"Fine! Here's your three hundred thousand! But tonight, you will return to the Montgomery estate. You will repay every single penny you've ever cost us!"

Eleanor pulled out a card and flung it at Isabella.

Isabella picked it up and tossed it right back. "Unfortunately, Victoria broke the display. I'll only accept payment from her."

Victoria's face flushed scarlet with fury. Her hand was already injured. Now she had to pay Isabella 300,000? Isabella wasn't giving her a moment's peace!

No.7

She desperately wanted to kill Isabella on the spot. But she quickly composed herself. Paparazzi waited outside. Her plans were in motion. She swallowed her rage, adopting a soothing tone.

"Mother, Sister is right," she murmured. "I broke it. I should pay for it." She produced a card, though her eyes still blazed with anger. She would make Isabella pay for this arrogance. And for this ludicrous 300,000 'damage'.

After swiping the card, Isabella tossed it back. "You may leave now."

The four of them stormed out, smoke practically billowing from their heads.