Chapter 56
No.1
Her entire reason for returning was to crush Victoria. To destroy her modeling career utterly. Only when backed into a corner would Victoria’s true, vile nature show. Then the Montgomery family would finally see the truth. Anything that displeased Victoria pleased her immensely.
Making Victoria play a secondary, supporting role was the perfect humiliation. Isabella picked up a pen and signed her name with a sharp, elegant flourish.
A faint smile touched Nathaniel’s lips as he carefully stored the contract. “As business partners, sharing a meal to celebrate is acceptable, yes?”
“Of course! We have many details to discuss!” Oliver chirped, not waiting for her reply. He scampered to the table and resumed eating his interrupted meal.
Nathaniel sat across from her, pouring wine for them both. He raised his glass. “Ms. Montgomery. To a successful collaboration.”
She narrowed her eyes. These two were like persistent kidnappers she couldn’t shake. Yet, watching them, feeling the warmth from the food, the earlier emptiness began to fade, replaced by a reluctant contentment.
Fine. She would play along for now. As long as the job proceeded smoothly. The thought of Victoria being her accessory made her lips curve into a smile. She could already picture Victoria’s furious expression. The day of the auto show would be a glorious spectacle.
Isabella finished her meal and was immediately pulled toward the sofa by Oliver. He insisted she rest with him. It didn't take long before his breathing evened out into a soft, steady rhythm. He was asleep, curled on her lap. His small, warm body felt like a little ball of sunshine against her. She gently ran her fingers through his soft hair, her gaze drifting away from him.
It wandered across the room and into the kitchen.
No.2
Nathaniel stood there. A stark gray apron was tied over his impeccably tailored suit. He was washing dishes. The contrast was almost jarring. The formal business attire looked utterly out of place against the domestic backdrop of the kitchen. His movements were efficient, yet somehow still carried an air of practiced unfamiliarity. Outside, the heavy downpour had ceased. A single, brilliant beam of sunlight broke through the dissipating clouds. It cut through the window.
By some trick of light, it fell directly upon him.
The light gilded his tall, powerful frame, outlining him in gold. He looked devastatingly handsome, like a statue brought to life. Isabella found herself completely captivated. Her hand stilled on Oliver’s head. She watched, mesmerized.
She couldn't pinpoint the exact moment it had happened. Her life had become… louder. Fuller. Since these two had barged into it. The thought of future days without them…
She caught herself. A sigh escaped her. What was she thinking? A future without them would be no different than her present. She wasn't with them. This was a business arrangement. A contract. Nothing more.
The rain had stopped. Their reason for staying was gone. She deliberately turned her head away, closing her eyes. She willed the unwelcome, sentimental thoughts to scatter. Just then, Nathaniel entered the living room. The apron was gone. He was back to his usual, coolly composed self.
She didn’t look at him. “Take him,” she said, her tone direct and businesslike. “You can go home now.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible today,” Nathaniel responded. He sat down on the sofa beside her. His arm casually draped over the back of the cushion, behind her shoulders.
“Why not?” Isabella scowled. What excuse had he concocted now to linger?
No.3
“Did you thoroughly read the agreement before you signed?” he asked, his voice devoid of any humor.
“Of course I did,” she retorted instantly. Isabella Montgomery was meticulous. She scrutinized every clause, every line of any contract she ever signed. No one had ever managed to trap her in fine print before. This contract was between her and Blackwood Corporation. There was no possible clause that could force Nathaniel to remain in her home.
Nathaniel held her gaze, his expression unreadable. “Recite the second to last clause for me.”
Isabella’s mind raced, pulling the document from her memory. “After signing the contract, Party B shall be obliged to confirm all plans related to the auto show with the appointed person-in-charge, henceforth known as Party A…” Her voice trailed off. Her frown deepened. “You’re the person-in-charge?”
“Yes.” The single word was delivered with utter seriousness.
A strange feeling washed over her. She felt outmaneuvered. Trapped. She never would have anticipated that Nathaniel Blackwood, the formidable CEO of a vast empire, would personally oversee a relatively minor contract like hers. She slumped back against the sofa cushions. “Fine. What plans need confirming?”
“Hmm…” He pretended to consider it for a moment. “As the person-in-charge, I need to ensure your runway walk meets our standards. Show me. Imagine you’re on the catwalk right now.”
“Nathaniel!” she snapped, her eyes flashing with warning. “Are you trying to get yourself hurt?”
He maintained his perfectly straight face. “What’s the issue? Pre-event practice is standard protocol.”
No.4
“Is it really?” she asked, her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. A sharp, suspicious gleam flashed within them. Even if it was protocol, his motives were absolutely not pure.
He remained infuriatingly calm. “We can table the catwalk for now. In that case, simply show me a pose.”
“Get! Out!” The words were bitten out, sharp and clear. “I want you out of my house! You have three minutes!” She carefully lifted the sleeping Oliver and unceremoniously deposited him into Nathaniel’s arms. She stood up swiftly, turning on her heel. She marched toward the stairs without a backward glance. This man was infuriating. He was toying with her while wearing that maddeningly serious expression. She refused to play his game.
Nathaniel’s gaze locked onto Isabella’s unyielding posture. He reminded her coldly, “We have a signed contract, Isabella. You’re breaching it.”
Isabella finally halted her steps. She turned to face him, her expression icy. “Breaching it? Then terminate it. I can cover the tens of millions in penalties without a problem.”
She was ferocious. Utterly untamed.
She knew he wouldn’t cancel their agreement. Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. This wildcat was fascinating.
Meanwhile, at the Montgomery Manor, Victoria was in agony. She hid alone in her room, seething. Alexander had promised retribution against Isabella, but the timing wasn’t right for his leverage. For now, she could only watch Isabella’s meteoric rise.
The internet was obsessed with Isabella. Her popularity dwarfed Victoria’s by over tenfold. Netizens marveled at her stunning reversal and ultimate victory. They were captivated by her beauty, her eloquence, her sheer presence. Isabella seemed flawless.
No.5
Victoria’s fists clenched. Jealousy and pure hatred radiated from her in waves. “This is unbearable. I want to destroy her. I want my glory back,” she seethed internally.
The door creaked open. Eleanor entered, carrying a small plate with a slice of cake. “Victoria, darling? Are you alright?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.
“I’m… I’m fine,” Victoria stammered, quickly composing herself and sliding off the bed.
They sat at the small table near the window. Eleanor sighed mournfully. “You can talk to me, sweetheart. Isabella has gone too far this time! She’s adopted. She should be making concessions for you. Why is she so determined to provoke you? Such an ungrateful wretch!”
“Mother, please don’t blame my sister. She’s just… more talented than I am. I’m sure she never meant to harm me,” Victoria said, her tone placating.
“Never meant to? You are too pure, too kind-hearted. Always defending her! Can’t you see? She’s been using your status as the top model to climb up. She’s stepping on you to reach the top! Now she wants to use you as her supporting act!” Eleanor’s anger flared as she spoke.
Victoria’s brow furrowed. “Her supporting act? Mother, what are you talking about?”
Eleanor let out a heavy sigh. “Your agent, Isadora, was here earlier. She brought a contract for you. For the Mercedes Auto Show. Somehow, that novice Isabella landed the lead model role. She must have paid a fortune. She deliberately arranged for you to endorse the lowest-tier car model at the show. I refused it on your behalf, of course.”
Victoria’s expression tightened. The annual Mercedes Auto Show hired Isabella? She always believed they exclusively used foreign models. Mercedes was a premier luxury brand. The attendees were elite, the absolute pinnacle of society.
No.6
The previous year, Victoria herself had tried for a spot and was flatly rejected. She couldn’t believe Isabella was hired. A complete newcomer. It was impossible. And they wanted her to play second fiddle?
Eleanor grasped Victoria’s hand. “My dear, don’t pay her any mind. Just stay away from her. All this publicity lately… ‘Rookie model dethrones the number one.’ She’s blatantly riding on your coattails.”
“Promise me, Victoria. Don’t consider her your sister anymore. Never give her another chance to leech off your success. I will find a way to convince your grandfather to revoke those fifteen percent shares he gave her. I’ll make him see her for the manipulative schemer she truly is.”
“Thank you for always protecting me, Mother. But I’ve decided. I want to accept the Auto Show offer,” Victoria stated calmly.
“What? Victoria, are you insane? You want to be Isabella’s supporting act?” Eleanor was utterly shocked, unable to process the words.
Even as a supporting model, she would be the only local talent besides Isabella featured at the prestigious Mercedes Auto Show. This move would silence her critics and crush countless rivals beneath her heel. She had her own special methods for dealing with Isabella Montgomery. Playing second fiddle was merely a temporary strategy.
She put on a sweet, concerned voice. "Mother, I know you heard the organizers chose Isabella as their lead model. But she's still such a novice. She lacks the star power. Without enough buzz at the Auto Show, my poor sister will become a laughingstock. If I participate too, any extra attention I draw will only help her. It's for her own good."
"Victoria, my dear, I've told you before. Stop worrying about that wretched girl. She's the Montgomery family's greatest shame. She doesn't deserve your kindness!" Eleanor Kensington lamented, her voice heavy with disapproval.
Victoria took her mother's hand, her tone soft and pleading. "Mother, we grew up together. Through everything, I will always care for her. I truly believe love can change a person. She will see my sincerity one day and return to the family. We can be a real family again! Staying cooped up here just lets my mind wander to dark places. Please, let me do the Auto Show."
No.7
She finished with a coquettish pout, still clinging to Eleanor's hand. Eleanor sighed in exasperated defeat. "Fine. I can never say no to you. But remember this. If she dares to bully you this time, I will not stand idly by. I will mobilize the full force of the Kensington family against her. I will drive her straight out of Westchester for good!"
"I'll remember. Thank you, Mother." Victoria melted into her embrace, a mask of pure glee on her face. Those exact words were what she needed to hear. She had to utterly destroy Isabella before the Kensingtons ever discovered the truth.
The moment Eleanor left, Victoria snatched her phone. A message from Gabriella Martinez glowed on the screen.
[Victoria, I deliberately leaked that contract to Lady Kensington. I wanted to stoke her hatred for Isabella. Use this chance wisely.]
Victoria's fingers flew across the screen.
[Don't worry. She despises Isabella completely now. She even vowed to use all the family's power to exile her from Westchester. This time, we cannot let Isabella turn the tables! I have a detailed plan, but I need you to handle it personally. We can't trust anyone else. This is critical. No one can know about this except us!]
(Understood! I'll handle it myself!) Gabriella typed back immediately.
Victoria sent the intricate plan. Gabriella read it, her frown deepening. If it worked, Isabella would be completely ruined, facing at least five years in prison. But if it failed… She understood now why Victoria demanded her personal involvement. Every single detail was vital. There was no room for error.
In the following days, Isabella and the other top models were immersed in intense preparations. Nathaniel Blackwood, wanting to shield her from clashes, arranged for her to practice separately. Throughout the entire training period, Isabella saw no one, not even Victoria. The peace was a welcome respite. In her spare time, she assisted Adrian Sinclair with managing GoldenPhoenix Entertainment and continued her investigation into the events from five years ago.