Chapter 363
No.1
The normally composed Evelyn cried out in terror. A mastiff this size could tear flesh with a single scratch. One bite could easily crush a skull and end a life!
What could they do? What could they do?!
Isabella's face turned grave as she desperately scrambled for a solution.
Not far from the alley, Seraphina Delacroix watched the mastiff attack Isabella, a vicious smirk twisting her lips. How dare Isabella steal her company's resources? This was the price she had to pay! She even stole her gown? Fine! Let her die wearing it! Seraphina would attend the Celestial Gala gloriously. She would walk on stage to accept her Number One Supermodel Award!
The mastiff closed in on Isabella. Its bloody jaws gaped open. Its sharp claws aimed directly for Isabella's body.
One scratch. One bite. That was all it would take to end Isabella Montgomery.
Evelyn Sinclair squeezed her eyes shut in terror.
The mastiff lunged, jaws gaping. Inches from impact, Isabella’s arm snapped forward with explosive force.
The blow sent the massive dog stumbling backward. It scrambled away, fleeing down the alley.
Straight toward Seraphina Delacroix.
No.2
Seraphina’s face drained of all color. She spun and bolted, screaming. “Help! Somebody help me!”
No one heard. This was the deserted back of the venue. Her flight triggered the beast’s chase instinct.
It accelerated, claws unsheathed. They raked across Seraphina’s back with brutal force.
Riiip.
The sound of tearing silk echoed sharply.
Her gown shredded. A deep, bleeding gash tore from her shoulder down to her thigh.
Seraphina shrieked, a raw, agonized sound.
The scent of blood maddened the mastiff. It targeted her again.
She ran desperately, her injury crippling her speed. Her heel caught on uneven pavement.
She pitched forward, plunging into an uncovered maintenance sewage tank.
No.3
“Arf! Arf! Arf!” The mastiff stood at the edge, barking furiously at the figure flailing in the filth below.
“Get me out! Help!” Seraphina screamed, terrified the beast would leap down and finish her.
Evelyn watched, stunned and horrified. Disbelief locked her in place.
What just happened?
Why was Seraphina Delacroix here?
Why did the dog attacking Isabella suddenly turn on Seraphina?
She turned to Isabella. “Did you… do that?”
A cold smile touched Isabella’s lips. “I simply returned what was given.”
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.
No.4
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?”
“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!”
No.5
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!”
“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.
No.6
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…
“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!”
No.7
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.”
“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.