Chapter 521
No.1
Sophia’s face flushed with rage.
“Isabella! You’re nothing but a homeless stray now. Everyone’s mocking you. How dare you act so high and mighty? If I were you, I’d find a hole to hide in! And you’re out shopping? Have you no shame?”
Isabella’s gaze shifted from Victoria to Sophia as she spoke.
Bystanders immediately looked at the two women differently.
Sophia felt the judgmental stares.
Furious, she gritted her teeth.
“Isabella Montgomery! You’re a lying witch! You’ll pay for this today!”
She raised her hand, ready to strike.
Victoria’s face burned with humiliation.
She had hidden indoors for days waiting for the scandal to fade.
Now, just as she was showcasing her perfect relationship with Alexander to divert attention, Isabella had to bring it up again!
Victoria hated Isabella so much she wanted to rip her mouth apart.
But with Alexander present, she forced composure.
No.2
She stepped toward Sophia.
“Calm down, Sophia. Remember why we’re here? She’s just a jealous girl. We should be the bigger people.”
Sophia instantly recalled their purpose.
Her expression eased.
She lifted her chin arrogantly.
“Right! Today is a glorious day! I won’t waste another second on a homewrecker like you!”
“Do you even know what this store is? Ohly! It means ‘the one and only’! This is for engagement rings. One identity, one ring, one true love! They’d never sell to a mistress like you! Why are you even here? To stink up the place?”
“Oh, hilarious,” Isabella laughed mockingly.
She had zero interest in entertaining this.
Victoria had expected Isabella to be heartbroken seeing them together.
She thought it would be as satisfying as slapping her.
She never imagined Isabella would remain so indifferent.
Frustrated, Victoria put on a pitiful face.
No.3
She looked at Isabella with fake sympathy.
“Isabella, I know it’s my fault. Please don’t blame Alexander. Our love is real. He’s buying me an Ohly ring today. Please, just let us be. You and Alexander are over. You’re the Diamond Prince’s… plaything now. Please, just move on.”
Her voice was soft, pleading, and helpless.
The crowd began to believe Isabella was there to sabotage their ring shopping.
How could a homewrecker be so shameless as to ruin a happy couple?
Alexander stepped forward and embraced Victoria.
“Victoria, why beg her? This is Ohly. There are guards everywhere. If she touches you, we’ll call the police. Come, let’s pick your ring. Don’t let a shameless woman ruin our day.”
“Exactly, Victoria. Pick the most stunning diamond. Show her what real love looks like. That’s the price of being a homewrecker!” Sophia said proudly, chin held high.
Suddenly, a black vehicle screeched to a halt at the entrance.
The store manager exclaimed, “The new limited edition diamond collection is here! I heard this shipment includes a three-carat pigeon’s blood ruby surrounded by diamonds!”
“What? A pigeon’s blood ruby? Seriously? That’s impossible! I heard finding a colored diamond among thousands is rare, let alone a pigeon’s blood ruby!” Sophia gasped excitedly.
Victoria’s eyes sparkled.
“Most red rubies are purplish-red or dark purple. A pigeon’s blood ruby is the rarest gem in the world!”
No.4
“If you want it, Victoria, it’s yours,” Alexander said tenderly, glancing at Isabella to ensure she heard.
Sophia smirked at Isabella.
“Hear that? He’s buying the pigeon’s blood ruby for Victoria! An Ohly red ruby! The only one of its kind in the world!”
“Why are you still standing there? Get out!”
Eleanor Kensington’s eyes burned with pure hatred as she glared at Isabella Montgomery. “Leave this instant! The Montgomery family has no room for a disgraceful homewrecker like you!”
No matter how loudly they shouted, Isabella didn’t flinch. Her expression remained unreadable, as though she were watching a pitiful circus act.
Realizing Isabella wouldn’t budge, Sophia Kensington turned sharply to the sales manager. “What are you waiting for? Remove this shameless woman immediately! If she stays, we’re not buying a single thing from Ohly.”
The store’s general manager, Beatrice Worthington, had heard about the pigeon-blood ruby purchase. Her eyes lit up with greed. She stepped forward, scowling at Isabella. “Madam, you need to leave. Ohly is an exclusive establishment. We don’t just allow anyone inside.”
“Madam Worthington, store policy clearly states that every customer deserves—”
“Enough! She’s nothing but a despised outsider. Why show her respect? She clearly has none for herself, especially trying to ruin Miss Victoria’s special day. I can’t stand people like her.” She snapped her fingers. “Security! Escort her out immediately.”
Several guards moved to obey.
Just then, the driver from the vehicle outside stepped in. He was a tall American dressed in a sharp black suit that screamed professional agent. His presence commanded immediate attention.
The crowd stared, mesmerized. Even a delivery guard was this strikingly handsome?
No.5
Victoria Kensington straightened her posture, feeling a surge of superiority. “Since the ring has arrived, bring it to me,” she said, her voice dripping with false elegance.
The man didn’t even glance her way. He walked straight past her, a white box held securely in his hands.
Victoria’s excitement grew with each of his steps. This rare gem was about to be hers, right in front of Isabella! No matter how much Isabella pretended not to care, she had to be seething inside.
But then the man walked right past her without stopping.
Victoria’s eyes widened in shock. What was happening?
He stopped directly in front of Isabella. “Boss Montgomery, please inspect and sign for this delivery.”
Silence.
Everyone froze in disbelief.
What did he just say? Boss Montgomery? He was asking her to sign?
As the onlookers stood stunned, Isabella calmly opened the box. Inside lay nine exquisite diamond rings. The centerpiece was a stunning 3-carat heart-shaped pigeon-blood ruby, deep red like true passion and genuine love.
“Boss Montgomery, if everything meets your approval, please sign here,” the man said professionally, handing her an invoice.
Isabella glanced over the rings, took the pen, and signed her name with swift precision.
“Thank you, Boss Montgomery. It appears there’s some trouble here. Would you like assistance?” The man’s gaze swept coldly over the crowd.
No.6
Isabella handed the pen back. “Not necessary. You may go.”
“Understood.” He left, followed by the guards.
No one moved or spoke for a long moment. He had asked for Isabella’s signature? And with such deference?
Could it really be…?
Alexander stared in stunned silence as the truth struck him. “Isabella…you own Ohly?”
“Correct,” she answered with crisp finality.
Isabella removed her wide-brimmed hat. Dark waves tumbled down her shoulders. She shook her hair back with a careless flick. “Is there an issue?”
Jaws dropped throughout the boutique. Disbelief painted every face.
Isabella Montgomery owned Ohly? She was the legendary founder?
No wonder she had watched their petty insults with such cool amusement. No wonder their threats left her utterly unfazed. They had mocked her for not affording a ring…while standing in her own store. The irony was crushing.
Confusion and shock warred on every feature. The Kensington women looked utterly defeated. The orphan they despised, the charity case they pitied, was their superior in every way. It was a devastating blow.
Victoria’s fists clenched. Bitter envy coiled tight around her heart.
Isabella observed the range of humiliated expressions. A cold smile touched her lips. “Do you still wish to purchase the ring?”
No.7
Purchase it? That meant handing their money directly to Isabella.
Victoria felt like she’d swallowed something vile. The humiliation was a physical ache.
Eleanor was reeling. The girl she considered worthless was the mastermind behind her favorite brand. The injustice was unbearable.
“Never!” Eleanor spat, her voice trembling with rage. “If we’d known this was your pitiful shop, we would never have entered! What do you have to be proud of? You’re just a leech! Using Harrison Winslow’s diamonds. Have you no shame?”
Sophia’s face flushed a mottled red. “Isabella, I command you! Return this store to Prince Harrison and Princess Arabella immediately! You have no right to what isn’t yours!”
Isabella let out a derisive laugh. “And who are you to command me? Why would I ever listen to you? Furthermore, what proof do you have these diamonds aren’t mine?”
“Yours?” Sophia sneered, her contempt dripping. “A penniless orphan? How did you get them? By selling yourself to the Diamond Prince? By wrecking his marriage for money?”
Eleanor’s fury boiled over. “Isabella, remember your place! I am your adoptive mother! You will obey me! Never forget I saved your wretched life!”