Chapter 64
No.1
"What's the Montgomery family's stance on Isabella's poisoning scandal?"
Victoria had applied makeup to appear exceptionally pale.
She'd subtly reddened her eyes to simulate sleeplessness.
She faced the cameras with a pained expression. "I've stated repeatedly. My sister didn't plant that poison. She isn't that kind of person. She's being framed. Please, let me through. I've hired the best lawyer for her. He'll arrive shortly."
She and Isadora pushed through the crowd together.
Admiring sighs followed them. "All other models are furious, but Victoria alone still believes her. She's too kind-hearted."
"Truly the number one pure-hearted goddess. After all these years, she remains spotless and innocent."
"It's baffling. Both are from the Montgomery family. How did Victoria become so lovely while Isabella turned so wicked?"
Victoria's heart swelled with smug satisfaction at the praise.
No.2
Externally, she maintained her mask of concerned kindness.
After today, Isabella would have no escape from her predicament.
Inside the detention room, all eleven supermodels had gathered.
Their assistants and lawyers crowded the space, creating chaos.
Policemen formed a human barricade to prevent physical altercations.
Nearly thirty people pointed accusing fingers at Isabella.
They shouted demands simultaneously. "You evil poisoner! Apologize to us now! Compensate us for lost work and psychological trauma!"
"Admit your guilt! Stop pretending! We know you did it!"
Isabella sat on the bed, leaning against the wall.
No.3
Her eyes remained closed in meditation throughout the commotion.
Suddenly, a soft voice cut through the noise. "Everyone, please quiet down. I'm Victoria Kensington. Isabella's older sister. I believe she's innocent. Let me speak..."
Isabella's eyes finally opened.
The moment Victoria appeared, the models surged forward like a tidal wave.
“The evidence is overwhelming! How can anyone still defend her?”
“She must pay for our losses! Ten million per model is non-negotiable!”
“As her sister, make her confess! We’ll sue and get her blacklisted industry-wide!”
Their voices merged into a furious chorus. Victoria’s gaze drifted toward Isabella, her lips pressed into a thin, apologetic line.
“My sister has a point,” she said softly. “The evidence is circumstantial. Traces of poison on her fingers could’ve come from accidental contact.”
No.4
Eunice scoffed loudly. “Then explain why she didn’t eat the strawberry! Why throw it away?”
All eyes locked onto Isabella. “Yes! Explain yourself!”
“Why is she the only one with poison residue?”
“Enough talk! She’s just stalling. Let’s sue her now! Boycott all her companies!”
Lawyers were already being summoned, phones pressed to ears as legal threats circulated.
Victoria approached Isabella with feigned concern. “Just compensate them first. We can sort out the truth later.”
“So you endorse extorting ten million from the ‘culprit’?” Isabella’s voice cut through the noise like ice.
Victoria stiffened. The question felt like a trap.
“If you’re responsible,” she said carefully, “compensation is reasonable. These are top models losing millions per day. Ten million is generous.”
No.5
Eunice sneered. “Be grateful we’re not demanding more!”
Isabella scanned the room. “You all agree? Ten million each? No regrets?”
“Just pay up!” they shouted in unison.
“Fine,” Isabella said. “But I can’t access funds while detained. The court ruling is in two days. My lawyer will distribute compensation then.”
“You’re lying!” Eunice spat.
Isabella ignored her. She produced a notepad and scrawled a contract: ‘The agreed compensation is $10 million per model, payable upon court verdict.’
She coated her thumb in crimson lipstick and pressed it firmly onto the paper.
“Your turn,” she said, passing the document around.
“Why do we need to sign?” Eunice protested.
No.6
Isabella’s smile was razor-sharp. “So you don’t suddenly decide to double the price tomorrow. Press your thumbprints. All of you.”
The models hesitated, unnerved by her commanding presence. She was the accused, yet she held the room in her thrall.
Each supermodel had no choice but to comply, pressing their thumbprints onto the document.
The paper reached Victoria last. She hesitated, studying it with suspicion. Her eyes scanned the conditions Isabella had written, sensing something unusual. But since Isabella had agreed to the terms, what could possibly go wrong? Besides, this guarantee letter would be perfect to present to her grandfather…
Victoria steeled herself and pressed her thumb onto the paper. In total, twelve copies of the guarantee letter were made, one for each model. They collected their documents and quickly departed.
Victoria was the final one to exit. She cast a look toward Isabella. "Sister, it's only one hundred ten million. That's not a significant amount for you. Don't be too upset. Besides, if you learn from this and courageously admit your fault, everyone will forgive you. Even if they don't, you're incredibly wealthy. You'll be fine without a career in entertainment."
"You talk too much. Leave now, whether you're finished or not," Isabella retorted, rolling her eyes. She moved to the bed and lay down. Her expression was icy, devoid of any warmth, like a frozen winter lake.
Victoria clenched her fists, her eyes filled with contempt. She thought, 'Isabella is detained and hated by the entire world. How can she still act so arrogantly? I can't wait to see how long her savage attitude lasts!'
Externally, Victoria maintained a concerned facade due to the police presence. "Sister, rest well tonight. I'm leaving now," she said softly before exiting and entering her car.
No.7
Inside the vehicle, her sweet demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by a smug, malicious grin. Gabriella drove while asking, "Now that you have this document, will Theodore Senior really revoke Isabella's shares?"
"He has always favored Isabella, so of course he won't. That's why I need you to do something else," Victoria replied, then proceeded to give Gabriella a detailed set of instructions.
That same day, the headline [Isabella Confesses! Guilty As Charged!] trended globally. Genevieve had leaked the guarantee letter to the press, complete with Isabella's thumbprint signature. Since the letter stated Isabella agreed to pay ten million in compensation to each supermodel, even her remaining supporters abandoned her.
The internet exploded with venom and hatred directed at Isabella.
[That monster finally admits her guilt! She's agreed to pay up!]
[She really did poison those twelve models! How vicious! She's a wicked, despicable person!]
[Honestly, what stood out to me was how sweet Victoria is! She's the only one not demanding compensation. From all the video footage, she treats Isabella so well.]
[Victoria is Isabella's sister, so refusing money is natural. But I wonder if Isabella will actually pay when the court rules.]
[You're right. I have a feeling she's planning an escape. Why else not pay today?]