Chapter 533

No.1

The assistant immediately stepped forward and placed the chowder in front of Isabella. “Ms. Montgomery, this is for you,” he said respectfully. “Mr. Blackwood spent three hours by the stove preparing this personally for you.”

Victoria froze. The chowder wasn’t for her—it was for Isabella! How could a newcomer like Isabella have a chairman cooking for her? It was infuriating. Absolutely maddening!

Whispers and mocking glances shot toward Victoria while others looked at Isabella with clear admiration.

Isabella accepted the bowl and took an elegant spoonful.

The moment it touched her tongue, her taste buds were awakened by the fresh, perfectly balanced flavor. It was rich but not heavy, utterly delicious. She couldn’t believe Nathaniel—that powerful, commanding man—could cook like this.

Watching Isabella savor the dish, Victoria burned with envy. Each spoonful felt like a slap. She forced her expression to remain neutral. “Isabella, dear, you accepted food from a stranger without even knowing who he is?” she said, layering her tone with sisterly concern. “You should know men always have hidden motives.”

“Accepting his food means accepting his advances. Once you do, he’ll never leave you alone. If you were hungry, you could’ve asked Gabriella or Penelope. They can get you anything you want. Why take food from a stranger?” Victoria’s voice was dripping with false worry.

Isabella smirked coldly. “Oh really? They can get me anything? In that case, can you have them get me ice cream from La Dolce?”

Victoria’s concerned mask slipped instantly. La Dolce was the most famous dessert shop in Westchester. The lines stretched for hours. Hundreds waited daily just for one scoop.

When Victoria didn’t respond, Isabella raised a brow. “Cat got your tongue? You sounded so convincing earlier. Unless… you were just putting on a show?”

No.2

Victoria’s face flushed deep purple under the stares of everyone around. She struggled to keep her composure. “Of course not! If that’s what you want, you’ll have it. Penelope, what are you waiting for? Go get it now.”

“Yes, Miss.” Penelope, who had been massaging Victoria’s shoulders, pressed her lips together and hurried out.

‘This heat is unbearable. They’re trying to kill me making me stand in line for hours. That cunning Isabella knows how to make life difficult,’ Penelope fumed silently.

•••

After Penelope left, Victoria turned back to business. “Isabella, since you’ve accepted the chowder, shouldn’t you at least find out who this chairman is? You should thank him properly. It’s basic manners.” This mysterious chairman had helped Isabella twice now. She needed to uncover his identity!

Isabella’s lips curved into a captivating smile. “You would need to thank him. But I don’t.” Her eyes shifted to the assistant. “After all, he’s Harrison Winslow’s assistant. Since Harrison works under me, I don’t need to thank the assistant of my subordinate.”

Her tone was cool and arrogant.

Isabella was lying, but it was for Nathaniel’s protection. If Victoria found out it was him, she would latch onto him and never let go.

Victoria’s gaze turned icy. She stared at the assistant in disbelief. “You’re Harrison Winslow’s assistant?”

Prince Harrison Winslow personally preparing clam chowder for Isabella Montgomery? Impossible! Dominic Sterling, Nathaniel Blackwood's assistant, froze in disbelief. He met Isabella's icy stare, a silent warning that sent chills down his spine. Nathaniel's orders echoed in his mind: 'Comply with her every request.'

No.3

He straightened his posture. "Yes, my chairman is indeed Prince Harrison Winslow."

Victoria Kensington went rigid. She had envisioned seducing this mysterious chairman, twisting him to her will. Instead, Isabella had humiliated her publicly once more. Heat flooded Victoria's cheeks, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Isadora," she stammered, her voice tight, "assist me to the changing room. The final shot must be ready."

"Absolutely! Your dedication to work is unparalleled, Victoria. Unlike others who prioritize...indulgence," Isadora Vasquez retorted, shooting a venomous glare toward Isabella before guiding Victoria away.

Isabella simply rolled her eyes, dismissing them. She handed the container back to Dominic. "Inform him his deliveries are no longer required. He should focus his attention where it truly belongs." She had accepted Nathaniel's gestures twice now, yet the thought of him lavishing effort on her while neglecting Christopher soured her impression. Since returning, her focus was business, not romance.

Dominic deemed silence the wisest course. He gave a curt nod and departed.

Whispers erupted among the crew. What did Isabella's words imply? It sounded as though Prince Harrison had developed feelings for her, and she was nobly reminding him to remain devoted to his wife, Princess Arabella. How admirably principled.

Isabella ignored their speculative stares and headed to her changing room.

•••

This was the final outfit, destined for the magazine cover. A duo shoot was far more complex than solo portraits. It demanded individual excellence while simultaneously overshadowing your partner to command the spotlight.

Victoria had meticulously prepared, perfecting her makeup. When she saw Isabella emerge in a deep crimson gown, a smug smile touched her lips.

No.4

The dress was a rich, blood-red. Puffed short sleeves, a square neckline hugging the collarbone, and a voluminous skirt of layered mesh. Though opulently French-inspired, it felt heavy, out of sync with the summer theme.

In stark contrast, Victoria wore a light avocado green sleeveless mini-dress. Delicate lace adorned the shoulders, exuding sweet delicacy. A subtle V-neck offered a hint of cleavage. The most daring feature was the triangular cut-out at the waist, exposing a sliver of pale stomach and her navel. The effect was playfully alluring.

Side-by-side, Victoria's dress was clearly the covetable piece. The manager announced, "The flamingo is your prop. Pose freely, but maintain harmony."

"Understood," Victoria purred. She approached the flamingo, gracefully straddling it. Her legs stretched out, the short skirt riding up to showcase their long, toned length. Angled slightly toward the camera, the pose accentuated her chest curve and the strategic cut-out.

She leaned casually against the prop, embodying a fresh-faced, lovable ingenue. A wave of applause broke from the team.

"Exquisite! Pure perfection! Don't move a muscle, Ms. Kensington! Hold that pose!" the photographer exclaimed excitedly. He turned to Isabella. "Ms. Montgomery, complement Ms. Kensington's pose. Just ensure you don't disrupt her."

'Don't disrupt her.' Victoria's heart soared. Isabella would be relegated to the background, forced to find some pathetic pose that merely framed Victoria's brilliance. There was no way Isabella could outshine her now. She was destined to fade into obscurity next to Victoria's radiant display.

Colette Duvall watched Isabella Montgomery with deep concern.

Anxiety twisted inside her.

What was Isabella planning? Could she perform miracles? This seemed utterly impossible.

No.5

Meanwhile, Victoria Kensington sat gracefully upon a flamingo float.

A sweet, practiced smile adorned her face.

She resembled an ethereal fairy, blissfully unaware of the mounting tension.

The avocado green and pink flamingo created a perfect, vibrant contrast.

The aesthetic was so pleasing it almost made one forget the oppressive midsummer heat.

In stark contrast, Isabella wore a voluminous red top paired with a loose, floor-length skirt.

She was completely covered up. Not an inch of skin on her chest or legs was visible.

How could she possibly outperform Victoria like this?

The watching crowd buzzed with curiosity.

Isabella, however, remained utterly nonchalant.

No.6

She turned to Victoria, her voice cool. "Are you absolutely certain about this pose? You won't regret it?"

"Of course," Victoria replied, her tone dripping with subtle sarcasm. "Why? Can't you think of anything better?"

Isabella simply sighed, offering no retort.

In one fluid motion, she swung a leg over the same horizontal flamingo.

She settled directly behind Victoria.

The long, heavy skirt restricted her movement, forcing her legs together.

It looked stifling and awkward.

A collective sigh of disappointment rippled through the onlookers. This seemed like a certain loss.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Isabella reached out and firmly placed her hands on Victoria's shoulders.

No.7

Her face was a mask of stoic elegance.

She shifted her weight onto her arms, leveraging herself.

The move was executed with shocking grace and precision.

The crowd gasped. Isabella had effectively turned Victoria into a mere prop, a human coffee table.