Chapter 312

No.1

“The evidence is overwhelming! How can anyone still defend her?”

“She must pay for our losses! Ten million per model is non-negotiable!”

“As her sister, make her confess! We’ll sue and get her blacklisted industry-wide!”

Their voices merged into a furious chorus. Victoria’s gaze drifted toward Isabella, her lips pressed into a thin, apologetic line.

“My sister has a point,” she said softly. “The evidence is circumstantial. Traces of poison on her fingers could’ve come from accidental contact.”

Eunice scoffed loudly. “Then explain why she didn’t eat the strawberry! Why throw it away?”

All eyes locked onto Isabella. “Yes! Explain yourself!”

“Why is she the only one with poison residue?”

“Enough talk! She’s just stalling. Let’s sue her now! Boycott all her companies!”

Lawyers were already being summoned, phones pressed to ears as legal threats circulated.

No.2

Victoria approached Isabella with feigned concern. “Just compensate them first. We can sort out the truth later.”

“So you endorse extorting ten million from the ‘culprit’?” Isabella’s voice cut through the noise like ice.

Victoria stiffened. The question felt like a trap.

“If you’re responsible,” she said carefully, “compensation is reasonable. These are top models losing millions per day. Ten million is generous.”

Eunice sneered. “Be grateful we’re not demanding more!”

Isabella scanned the room. “You all agree? Ten million each? No regrets?”

“Just pay up!” they shouted in unison.

“Fine,” Isabella said. “But I can’t access funds while detained. The court ruling is in two days. My lawyer will distribute compensation then.”

“You’re lying!” Eunice spat.

Isabella ignored her. She produced a notepad and scrawled a contract: ‘The agreed compensation is $10 million per model, payable upon court verdict.’

No.3

She coated her thumb in crimson lipstick and pressed it firmly onto the paper.

“Your turn,” she said, passing the document around.

“Why do we need to sign?” Eunice protested.

Isabella’s smile was razor-sharp. “So you don’t suddenly decide to double the price tomorrow. Press your thumbprints. All of you.”

The models hesitated, unnerved by her commanding presence. She was the accused, yet she held the room in her thrall.

Each supermodel had no choice but to comply, pressing their thumbprints onto the document.

The paper reached Victoria last. She hesitated, studying it with suspicion. Her eyes scanned the conditions Isabella had written, sensing something unusual. But since Isabella had agreed to the terms, what could possibly go wrong? Besides, this guarantee letter would be perfect to present to her grandfather…

Victoria steeled herself and pressed her thumb onto the paper. In total, twelve copies of the guarantee letter were made, one for each model. They collected their documents and quickly departed.

Victoria was the final one to exit. She cast a look toward Isabella. "Sister, it's only one hundred ten million. That's not a significant amount for you. Don't be too upset. Besides, if you learn from this and courageously admit your fault, everyone will forgive you. Even if they don't, you're incredibly wealthy. You'll be fine without a career in entertainment."

"You talk too much. Leave now, whether you're finished or not," Isabella retorted, rolling her eyes. She moved to the bed and lay down. Her expression was icy, devoid of any warmth, like a frozen winter lake.

No.4

Victoria clenched her fists, her eyes filled with contempt. She thought, 'Isabella is detained and hated by the entire world. How can she still act so arrogantly? I can't wait to see how long her savage attitude lasts!'

Externally, Victoria maintained a concerned facade due to the police presence. "Sister, rest well tonight. I'm leaving now," she said softly before exiting and entering her car.

Inside the vehicle, her sweet demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a smug, malicious grin. Gabriella drove while asking, "Now that you have this document, will Theodore Senior really revoke Isabella's shares?"

"He has always favored Isabella, so of course he won't. That's why I need you to do something else," Victoria replied, then proceeded to give Gabriella a detailed set of instructions.

That same day, the headline [Isabella Confesses! Guilty As Charged!] trended globally. Genevieve had leaked the guarantee letter to the press, complete with Isabella's thumbprint signature. Since the letter stated Isabella agreed to pay ten million in compensation to each supermodel, even her remaining supporters abandoned her.

The internet exploded with venom and hatred directed at Isabella.

[That monster finally admits her guilt! She's agreed to pay up!]

[She really did poison those twelve models! How vicious! She's a wicked, despicable person!]

[Honestly, what stood out to me was how sweet Victoria is! She's the only one not demanding compensation. From all the video footage, she treats Isabella so well.]

[Victoria is Isabella's sister, so refusing money is natural. But I wonder if Isabella will actually pay when the court rules.]

No.5

[You're right. I have a feeling she's planning an escape. Why else not pay today?]

[We just have to watch the court proceedings the day after tomorrow. We must ensure this evil woman pays!]

The online abuse was relentless. Meanwhile, the Montgomery family faced their own crisis. Isabella's fifteen percent family shares were part of the Montgomery Group. Her confession triggered a massive plunge in the company's market value. Overnight, share prices hit rock bottom!

Within three days, the Montgomery family shares lost billions in value! The entire family gathered in the main hall, chaos erupting. At that moment, Theodore Senior was kneeling in the chapel, deep in prayer. Suddenly, Reginald rushed in, frantic and anxious. "Senior Montgomery! Senior Montgomery! We have a problem! All the shareholders are outside, demanding you revoke all of Ms. Isabella's shares immediately!"

Theodore Montgomery held complete ownership of all shares. He alone determined their distribution among his descendants. Yet ten additional investors held stakes in the Montgomery Group. These individuals were not family. They provided crucial technical expertise and capital. Their agreements guaranteed annual profit-sharing percentages. But they cared nothing for equity control. Their interest began and ended with financial returns.

Decades prior, Theodore had established these terms personally. The Montgomery Group’s very foundation relied on this profit-sharing structure. Their contracts were ironclad. If these investors stirred trouble now, the consequences would be catastrophic. A falling stock price was manageable. Total operational collapse was not. Theodore’s brow furrowed deeply. “Are every single one of them here?”

“All of them, sir,” Reginald Thornton confirmed. “And that is not the worst of it. The entire extended family has arrived as well.” A rising clamor of voices echoed from the hall. Theodore set his prayer book aside. He rose slowly, massaging his stiff knees. He moved toward the door with deliberate steps.

Penelope Sinclair spotted him first. She rushed forward, her expression severe. “Father, that adopted girl confessed everything! Why shield her still? She accused Sophia Kensington of vile intentions. But let’s be clear—Isabella Montgomery is no saint herself!”

“Our family’s losses are monumental because of her!” Gregory Kensington shouted, his face flushed with anger. “She must be removed from the Board immediately! She must return the fifteen percent of shares she holds!”

The chorus of voices swelled in agreement. “Return the shares! Remove her from the Board! Sever all connections with her!”

No.6

Theodore’s expression was grave, his voice steady but weary. “Has the investigation concluded? Have the police issued any official statement?”

“She signed a guarantee!” a shareholder yelled. “A written promise to cover all losses within two days!”

The deep lines on Theodore’s face seemed to have multiplied. He appeared to have aged years in just days. Victoria Kensington watched him closely. She moved quickly to his side, offering her arm for support. “Grandfather, I am so sorry. I truly believed my sister was set up. I exhausted every resource trying to help her these past two days. I pleaded with the eleven supermodels. They were utterly inflexible. They forced this guarantee from her…”

Victoria presented the document. Theodore recognized Isabella’s handwriting instantly. He recoiled, stumbling backward. Victoria held him firmly, her voice a soft, comforting murmur. “Don’t worry, Grandfather. I will not let my sister bear this financial ruin alone. You mustn’t distress yourself. And please, do not fear for Isabella’s future. Her diamond mines remain. She will never want for money. Even after… her release… she will live comfortably.”

“The priority is cutting her ties to this family,” Victoria pressed on, her tone shifting to one of urgent concern. “We must stabilize the Group’s stock. We must also protect her from the public’s hatred! So many people despise her now. Their anger could turn violent. We cannot predict what they might do.”

Eleanor Kensington nodded in vigorous agreement. “Father, if you care for her at all, you will take the shares. For her own safety. This mob mentality… it’s dangerous. Someone might harm her if she remains connected to us.”

Theodore’s face darkened further. A profound worry etched itself onto his features. He understood the viperous nature of the crowd before him. If this continued, they would show Isabella no mercy. Their vengeance would be swift and brutal.

A heavy, resigned sigh escaped him. “Very well. Do as you have decided. In two days, I will have Atticus Whitmore, our lawyer, meet with Isabella. He will handle the transfer of her shares.” Having spoken, Theodore turned away. He retreated back toward the quiet solitude of the prayer hall.

Victoria’s brow creased slightly. “Grandfather,” she called after him, “to whom will you transfer Isabella’s shares?”

Theodore paused at the threshold. He did not turn back. “To Richard Montgomery for the time being.” Then he disappeared inside, closing the heavy door firmly behind him.

No.7

A surge of pure triumph shot through Victoria. Richard Montgomery’s other children were perpetual disappointments. She was his sole favored daughter. Once those shares were in his possession, they would inevitably find their way to her. It was only a matter of time.

She allowed herself a small, victorious smile before schooling her features into concern. She addressed the closed door with honeyed sweetness. “A wise decision, Grandfather. Please, you must rest now. Do not let this trouble your heart. Isabella will be fine. Her diamond mines ensure she will never be poor.”

Theodore ignored the fading noises from the hall. He waited until silence prevailed. Then he crossed to a seemingly solid wall. His fingers found a hidden button, pressing it precisely. A section of the wall slid open noiselessly, revealing a concealed compartment. Inside rested a single, ornate picture frame. The name inscribed upon it was not Montgomery.

Theodore Montgomery stared at the silver-framed photograph.