Chapter 319
No.1
“No, it’s my failure. I failed to supervise my agent properly. That’s why she could commit such a terrible act. The blame lies with me…”
Victoria pushed Eleanor away gently.
She turned to face the eleven models, her expression contrite. “I am so sorry. Truly, I apologize. My agent is the one who poisoned you all. I am the cause of your suffering…”
She bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.
Her voice was thick with remorse and hoarse from crying.
She then turned toward Isabella.
She bowed again, even deeper this time. “Sister, I beg your forgiveness. I am deeply sorry for your prolonged imprisonment. It breaks my heart… My failure to uncover the truth sooner allowed you to endure such pain… I apologize on my own behalf, and on Gabriella’s as well. You may hit me. You may kick me. Do whatever you need to do…”
Her crying intensified as she spoke.
Tears flooded her face, her demeanor utterly submissive.
She even grabbed Isabella’s hand, attempting to force Isabella to strike her.
No.2
A flicker of cold mockery passed through Isabella’s eyes.
This woman was attempting to play the victim yet again.
Did she truly believe Isabella would fall for such an obvious act?
Isabella had a particular distaste for those who feigned victimhood.
She raised her hand swiftly.
She delivered a stinging slap across Victoria’s face.
The force of the blow sent Victoria stumbling to the floor.
Eleanor rushed to Victoria’s side immediately.
She helped her up, glaring furiously at Isabella. “Isabella! How could you be so cruel! Gabriella is the one who framed you! Victoria is your sister! She has been defending you this whole time! She apologized to you! How could you strike her!”
“Mother… It’s alright… Really, I’m fine… I’m not hurt…” Victoria clutched her reddening cheek, tears still flowing. “It is my fault. I failed to see the truth sooner. I failed to control Gabriella. I share the blame. If she wishes to hit me, she may. I deserve it. It might ease my guilt…”
No.3
Her portrayal of distress and remorse instantly won the sympathy of the crowd.
Mutterings began to spread through the onlookers.
“Poor Victoria. She was dragged into this by her own agent.”
“Isabella is too harsh. Look, Victoria’s lip is bleeding. Look at those finger marks on her face. Tsk, tsk…”
“She was only locked up for a few days. It’s not like she suffered greatly. Victoria has apologized profusely. Why hit her with such force…”
Isabella’s gaze remained icy.
In this world, those who cried often received what they wanted.
But Isabella was not a crier.
Was she meant to play the villain simply because she refused to shed tears?
No.
No.4
She might not have the power to defeat every evil, but she certainly knew how to handle those who pretended to be victims.
She looked at Victoria with undisguised scorn.
She let out a cold, derisive laugh. “Alright, that’s enough acting. My friend still possesses a complete record of your conversations with Gabriella. If you continue this charade, I will not hesitate to ensure you join her in prison.”
Victoria’s face froze instantly.
The tears that had been welling in her eyes stopped falling abruptly.
Isabella had a copy of her chats with Gabriella!
This… This was catastrophic!
This would utterly destroy her!
Victoria’s entire body went rigid.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
No.5
Muttered whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
Why had Victoria suddenly stopped crying? She was sobbing hysterically just moments ago. Did she feel guilty now?
Seeing the situation shift, Isadora stepped forward. “This is my fault. It has nothing to do with Victoria. She has always taught me to be a better person and repeatedly told me not to harm Isabella. But you’ve all witnessed how vicious Isabella can be. She never treated Victoria like a sister. She either hit her or verbally abused her constantly. I acted out of momentary rage. There’s no point in explaining further. Arrest me. Charge me. I accept full responsibility.”
Isadora’s performance seemed utterly sincere and believable.
Yet everyone had seen Victoria’s reaction. Her sudden silence was deeply suspicious. Wasn’t she clearly guilty too?
Isadora was obviously taking the fall for her!
An officer finally spoke. “Alright, Isabella is free to go. Victoria and Isadora, you will both remain to give your official statements.”
Isabella’s handcuffs were removed. Another officer moved to detain Victoria.
Victoria’s face had lost all color. The suspicion in the room was palpable. She didn’t dare play the victim again after Isabella’s sharp accusations. She had no choice but to go with the officers.
“Wait.” A cold, commanding voice cut through the noise.
No.6
Isabella’s gaze locked onto Victoria. “There is a signed agreement stating the responsible party must pay each model ten million dollars. Victoria, since you’ve essentially admitted fault, shouldn’t you be the one paying this sum on your agent’s behalf?”
Victoria froze. Eleven models. One hundred and ten million dollars total. There was no way Isadora could ever afford that.
Isadora was her closest ally and was sacrificing herself for her. Whether out of friendship or to ensure Isadora’s silence, Victoria had to pay. She was trapped.
But Victoria didn’t have a diamond mine like Isabella. All the money she’d earned modeling had been spent on her lavish lifestyle and currying favor with the Montgomery family.
She held family shares, but they were untouchable. Liquidating them was impossible.
Paying 110 million dollars would completely wipe out her entire savings. She would be left with nothing.
The eleven affected models immediately began to protest.
“Yes, the agreement was signed! We must be paid!”
“I can’t believe we were manipulated like this. It’s disgusting! It feels like swallowing a fly!”
“Pay up now! If you won’t, then Isadora must! The agreement states payment is due today! I want nothing more to do with any of you!”
No.7
The demands from the crowd grew louder.
Influencers broadcast the scene live. Reporters’ cameras flashed relentlessly in Victoria’s face.
Humiliation washed over her. She desperately wanted this to end so she could escape.
She had no other option. She pulled out her phone to transfer the funds to each model in full view of everyone.