Chapter 814
No.1
Three years in prison.
Silas's legs nearly buckled beneath him.
He was already a wanted man, cooperating with Maxwell for a chance at leniency.
He turned desperately to the lead officer. "I swear on my life this video is authentic! If there's a single fabricated frame, sentence me to death! Verify it yourselves! Go to the black market! Retrieve the hidden security footage! You'll find Miss Martinez clear as day there!"
His eyes darted wildly between Victoria and Gabriella. "Only black market insiders know about that camera. It can't be tampered with! It can't be erased! Nothing escapes its lens!"
Gabriella's face drained of all color.
She had been so careful to avoid all visible cameras that night.
The existence of a hidden one was a catastrophic oversight.
This could ruin her completely.
No.2
The lead officer immediately dispatched a team to investigate, forcing a terrified Silas to guide them.
If his claim was verified, she was finished.
A frantic calculation sparked in Victoria's eyes.
Suddenly.
Slap!
A sharp crack echoed as her palm connected brutally with Gabriella's cheek.
"How could you!" Victoria cried out, her voice laced with manufactured agony. "Gabriella! Why would you frame my sister? I treated you like family! Like my own blood! How could you commit such an evil act against her!"
The force of the blow sent Gabriella stumbling to the floor.
A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.
No.3
She was dazed, struggling to process the sudden betrayal.
The realization dawned cold and hard.
Victoria was sacrificing her.
Of course. Victoria's career, her future, couldn't be tarnished.
She was the top model. She had to remain pristine.
Gabriella remained on the cold floor, sobs beginning to wrack her body.
–
"It's my fault," she wept, the words catching in her throat. "I was blind with rage. I couldn't stand watching Isabella constantly overshadow you. You were always so kind to her, and she repaid you with nothing but schemes. I just... I just wanted to get revenge for you!"
"Unbelievable!" Victoria shrieked, her performance flawless.
No.4
She dropped to her knees, grabbing Gabriella's collar and shaking her violently. "I told you! The Guci editorial had nothing to do with Isabella! It was my own failure! I don't blame her! How could you do this! I trusted you like an aunt! Like an older sister! I gave you everything! How could you betray me with such viciousness behind my back? How could you!"
Victoria’s voice grew raspy from sobbing.
Tears streamed down her cheeks without pause.
Her delicate frame trembled violently, as if she might collapse from the emotional turmoil.
The spectators watched the scene unfold with rapt attention.
Some found the entire situation unspeakably messy.
Others harbored doubts about the authenticity of her display.
Yet many were completely swayed by Victoria’s performance.
Their hearts ached for her apparent distress.
No.5
Eleanor felt a similar pang of sympathy.
She helped Victoria to her feet, offering comfort. “Victoria, please stop crying. This is Gabriella’s fault, not yours. You misjudged her character. You trusted her as your top agent. She’s utterly heartless! I will find you a better agent tomorrow. Please, dry your tears.”
“No, it’s my failure. I failed to supervise my agent properly. That’s why she could commit such a terrible act. The blame lies with me…”
Victoria pushed Eleanor away gently.
She turned to face the eleven models, her expression contrite. “I am so sorry. Truly, I apologize. My agent is the one who poisoned you all. I am the cause of your suffering…”
She bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.
Her voice was thick with remorse and hoarse from crying.
She then turned toward Isabella.
She bowed again, even deeper this time. “Sister, I beg your forgiveness. I am deeply sorry for your prolonged imprisonment. It breaks my heart… My failure to uncover the truth sooner allowed you to endure such pain… I apologize on my own behalf, and on Gabriella’s as well. You may hit me. You may kick me. Do whatever you need to do…”
No.6
Her crying intensified as she spoke.
Tears flooded her face, her demeanor utterly submissive.
She even grabbed Isabella’s hand, attempting to force Isabella to strike her.
A flicker of cold mockery passed through Isabella’s eyes.
This woman was attempting to play the victim yet again.
Did she truly believe Isabella would fall for such an obvious act?
Isabella had a particular distaste for those who feigned victimhood.
She raised her hand swiftly.
She delivered a stinging slap across Victoria’s face.
No.7
The force of the blow sent Victoria stumbling to the floor.
Eleanor rushed to Victoria’s side immediately.
She helped her up, glaring furiously at Isabella. “Isabella! How could you be so cruel! Gabriella is the one who framed you! Victoria is your sister! She has been defending you this whole time! She apologized to you! How could you strike her!”
“Mother… It’s alright… Really, I’m fine… I’m not hurt…” Victoria clutched her reddening cheek, tears still flowing. “It is my fault. I failed to see the truth sooner. I failed to control Gabriella. I share the blame. If she wishes to hit me, she may. I deserve it. It might ease my guilt…”
Her portrayal of distress and remorse instantly won the sympathy of the crowd.
Mutterings began to spread through the onlookers.
“Poor Victoria. She was dragged into this by her own agent.”
“Isabella is too harsh. Look, Victoria’s lip is bleeding. Look at those finger marks on her face. Tsk, tsk…”
“She was only locked up for a few days. It’s not like she suffered greatly. Victoria has apologized profusely. Why hit her with such force…”