Chapter 304

No.1

A strange feeling washed over her. She felt outmaneuvered. Trapped. She never would have anticipated that Nathaniel Blackwood, the formidable CEO of a vast empire, would personally oversee a relatively minor contract like hers. She slumped back against the sofa cushions. “Fine. What plans need confirming?”

“Hmm…” He pretended to consider it for a moment. “As the person-in-charge, I need to ensure your runway walk meets our standards. Show me. Imagine you’re on the catwalk right now.”

“Nathaniel!” she snapped, her eyes flashing with warning. “Are you trying to get yourself hurt?”

He maintained his perfectly straight face. “What’s the issue? Pre-event practice is standard protocol.”

“Is it really?” she asked, her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. A sharp, suspicious gleam flashed within them. Even if it was protocol, his motives were absolutely not pure.

He remained infuriatingly calm. “We can table the catwalk for now. In that case, simply show me a pose.”

“Get! Out!” The words were bitten out, sharp and clear. “I want you out of my house! You have three minutes!” She carefully lifted the sleeping Oliver and unceremoniously deposited him into Nathaniel’s arms. She stood up swiftly, turning on her heel. She marched toward the stairs without a backward glance. This man was infuriating. He was toying with her while wearing that maddeningly serious expression. She refused to play his game.

Nathaniel’s gaze locked onto Isabella’s unyielding posture. He reminded her coldly, “We have a signed contract, Isabella. You’re breaching it.”

Isabella finally halted her steps. She turned to face him, her expression icy. “Breaching it? Then terminate it. I can cover the tens of millions in penalties without a problem.”

No.2

She was ferocious. Utterly untamed.

She knew he wouldn’t cancel their agreement. Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. This wildcat was fascinating.

Meanwhile, at the Montgomery Manor, Victoria was in agony. She hid alone in her room, seething. Alexander had promised retribution against Isabella, but the timing wasn’t right for his leverage. For now, she could only watch Isabella’s meteoric rise.

The internet was obsessed with Isabella. Her popularity dwarfed Victoria’s by over tenfold. Netizens marveled at her stunning reversal and ultimate victory. They were captivated by her beauty, her eloquence, her sheer presence. Isabella seemed flawless.

Victoria’s fists clenched. Jealousy and pure hatred radiated from her in waves. “This is unbearable. I want to destroy her. I want my glory back,” she seethed internally.

The door creaked open. Eleanor entered, carrying a small plate with a slice of cake. “Victoria, darling? Are you alright?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

“I’m… I’m fine,” Victoria stammered, quickly composing herself and sliding off the bed.

They sat at the small table near the window. Eleanor sighed mournfully. “You can talk to me, sweetheart. Isabella has gone too far this time! She’s adopted. She should be making concessions for you. Why is she so determined to provoke you? Such an ungrateful wretch!”

“Mother, please don’t blame my sister. She’s just… more talented than I am. I’m sure she never meant to harm me,” Victoria said, her tone placating.

No.3

“Never meant to? You are too pure, too kind-hearted. Always defending her! Can’t you see? She’s been using your status as the top model to climb up. She’s stepping on you to reach the top! Now she wants to use you as her supporting act!” Eleanor’s anger flared as she spoke.

Victoria’s brow furrowed. “Her supporting act? Mother, what are you talking about?”

Eleanor let out a heavy sigh. “Your agent, Isadora, was here earlier. She brought a contract for you. For the Mercedes Auto Show. Somehow, that novice Isabella landed the lead model role. She must have paid a fortune. She deliberately arranged for you to endorse the lowest-tier car model at the show. I refused it on your behalf, of course.”

Victoria’s expression tightened. The annual Mercedes Auto Show hired Isabella? She always believed they exclusively used foreign models. Mercedes was a premier luxury brand. The attendees were elite, the absolute pinnacle of society.

The previous year, Victoria herself had tried for a spot and was flatly rejected. She couldn’t believe Isabella was hired. A complete newcomer. It was impossible. And they wanted her to play second fiddle?

Eleanor grasped Victoria’s hand. “My dear, don’t pay her any mind. Just stay away from her. All this publicity lately… ‘Rookie model dethrones the number one.’ She’s blatantly riding on your coattails.”

“Promise me, Victoria. Don’t consider her your sister anymore. Never give her another chance to leech off your success. I will find a way to convince your grandfather to revoke those fifteen percent shares he gave her. I’ll make him see her for the manipulative schemer she truly is.”

“Thank you for always protecting me, Mother. But I’ve decided. I want to accept the Auto Show offer,” Victoria stated calmly.

“What? Victoria, are you insane? You want to be Isabella’s supporting act?” Eleanor was utterly shocked, unable to process the words.

No.4

Even as a supporting model, she would be the only local talent besides Isabella featured at the prestigious Mercedes Auto Show. This move would silence her critics and crush countless rivals beneath her heel. She had her own special methods for dealing with Isabella Montgomery. Playing second fiddle was merely a temporary strategy.

She put on a sweet, concerned voice. "Mother, I know you heard the organizers chose Isabella as their lead model. But she's still such a novice. She lacks the star power. Without enough buzz at the Auto Show, my poor sister will become a laughingstock. If I participate too, any extra attention I draw will only help her. It's for her own good."

"Victoria, my dear, I've told you before. Stop worrying about that wretched girl. She's the Montgomery family's greatest shame. She doesn't deserve your kindness!" Eleanor Kensington lamented, her voice heavy with disapproval.

Victoria took her mother's hand, her tone soft and pleading. "Mother, we grew up together. Through everything, I will always care for her. I truly believe love can change a person. She will see my sincerity one day and return to the family. We can be a real family again! Staying cooped up here just lets my mind wander to dark places. Please, let me do the Auto Show."

She finished with a coquettish pout, still clinging to Eleanor's hand. Eleanor sighed in exasperated defeat. "Fine. I can never say no to you. But remember this. If she dares to bully you this time, I will not stand idly by. I will mobilize the full force of the Kensington family against her. I will drive her straight out of Westchester for good!"

"I'll remember. Thank you, Mother." Victoria melted into her embrace, a mask of pure glee on her face. Those exact words were what she needed to hear. She had to utterly destroy Isabella before the Kensingtons ever discovered the truth.

The moment Eleanor left, Victoria snatched her phone. A message from Gabriella Martinez glowed on the screen.

[Victoria, I deliberately leaked that contract to Lady Kensington. I wanted to stoke her hatred for Isabella. Use this chance wisely.]

Victoria's fingers flew across the screen.

No.5

[Don't worry. She despises Isabella completely now. She even vowed to use all the family's power to exile her from Westchester. This time, we cannot let Isabella turn the tables! I have a detailed plan, but I need you to handle it personally. We can't trust anyone else. This is critical. No one can know about this except us!]

(Understood! I'll handle it myself!) Gabriella typed back immediately.

Victoria sent the intricate plan. Gabriella read it, her frown deepening. If it worked, Isabella would be completely ruined, facing at least five years in prison. But if it failed… She understood now why Victoria demanded her personal involvement. Every single detail was vital. There was no room for error.

In the following days, Isabella and the other top models were immersed in intense preparations. Nathaniel Blackwood, wanting to shield her from clashes, arranged for her to practice separately. Throughout the entire training period, Isabella saw no one, not even Victoria. The peace was a welcome respite. In her spare time, she assisted Adrian Sinclair with managing GoldenPhoenix Entertainment and continued her investigation into the events from five years ago.

She had already scrutinized every guest present at The Ritz-Carlton that fateful day. Even Victoria's role had been uncovered, yet the trail for that man had gone cold. It seemed Victoria was the only one who held the key to the truth.

Isabella set down the list of names, a dark shadow passing through her eyes. Since the investigation had hit a wall, the next step was to extract the information directly from Victoria. The Auto Show presented the perfect opportunity.

Before she knew it, the day of the Mercedes Auto Show arrived. The backstage was a whirlwind of top international supermodels, all blonde and blue-eyed. Victoria had arrived too.

Every top model's eyes locked onto Victoria Kensington. Whispers spread through the room like wildfire.

“Who is she? Mercedes never hires local talent for their main shows.”

No.6

“She looks familiar. Maybe a second-tier model?”

“Didn’t she completely bomb the Guci campaign? They say she’s poison for endorsements now.”

“How did someone like her even get into the Mercedes Auto Show?”

Their mocking tones cut deep. Victoria’s fists clenched at her sides. They were targeting every one of her failures. Rubbing her public humiliation in her face.

These women were legends. Each had a mantle full of major awards. Victoria had two top model trophies herself. But one was bought through connections. The other was...tainted.

In raw talent, she couldn't match them. Not truly.

Victoria took a sharp breath. She addressed them in their native language, a skill she’d painstakingly mastered. “I was just as surprised to get this opportunity. I didn’t fight for it. My sister secured the spot for me.”

“Your sister?” A wave of shock passed through the group.

“Yes,” Victoria said smoothly. “You didn’t know? She’s this year’s lead model. For the gold race car. I have so much admiration for her. So young. No major awards to her name, yet here she is.”

No.7

Murmurs erupted. “A special relationship with the organizer, no doubt.”

“I don’t believe those rumors,” Victoria countered, her voice dripping with false sincerity. “She’s incredibly gifted. You’ll see when you meet her. You’ll understand.” She turned. “Isadora, let’s go change.” Her agent, Isadora Vasquez, nodded and guided her away.

Eleven stunned supermodels were left in her wake. The organizer had kept the lead model a secret. They’d all assumed it was a global superstar. Not some unknown rookie.

A nobody stealing the spotlight from true icons? Unforgivable.

Seraphina Delacroix, the most famous model present, studied Victoria. She seemed familiar. That girl from the Chanel finale... Isabella Montgomery had stolen Victoria’s moment then. Now, she’d snatched the Auto Show’s top role. She was always eclipsing Victoria.

The sharp click of heels echoed in the hallway. Seraphina’s eyes narrowed. “Let’s teach her a lesson.” Unified nods answered her. A common enemy united them.

The door swung open. Isabella Montgomery entered. She wore sleek black bell-bottom trousers and a crimson crop top. Her presence was electric, commanding the room. Hostile glares followed her every move. She ignored them completely. Her gaze was fixed ahead, dismissive of the gathered royalty of the fashion world. She moved toward her designated vanity.