Chapter 816
No.1
Ten percent of the shares, with a market value of two hundred billion dollars, now belonged to Isabella.
Victoria's body trembled so uncontrollably she almost collapsed.
Eleanor caught her. "Victoria, let's go. We'll give your statement, then go home and speak to grandfather about this! Isabella, you went too far today. You've disappointed me. You've broken my heart!"
With that, Eleanor led a distraught Victoria away from the scene.
Isabella watched them leave, her expression turning frosty.
Disappointed? Heartbroken?
She felt the exact same way.
She pushed through the crowd. Maxwell handed her the keys to the Kawasaki. She mounted the bike and sped away.
Twitter exploded within the hour.
No.2
#IsabellaIsInnocent, #GabriellaGets3Years, #VictoriaPays110Billion, and #VictoriaIsRottenInside dominated the trending list.
Gabriella Martinez pleaded guilty immediately. The evidence was overwhelming. Isabella Montgomery had executed a flawless victory.
The internet turned into a frenzy of condemnation. Victoria Kensington became the primary target.
Some netizens defended her innocence. Others dissected the situation with brutal logic.
How could a mere agent possess such audacity? Victoria and Gabriella were inseparable. Ignorance was implausible.
Why did Victoria fall silent under Isabella's questioning? Why pay a staggering 110 billion so readily?
That sum was astronomical. No friendship justified that level of financial sacrifice. It reeked of guilt.
Victoria was clearly the mastermind. Gabriella was a sacrificed pawn.
Victoria's past, hypocritical defenses of Isabella resurfaced online. Her disingenuous nature was exposed.
No.3
Isabella had won decisively.
Yet, she found herself speeding aimlessly on her Kawasaki. Her mind was consumed by Eleanor Kensington's words.
Isabella was accustomed to familial neglect. But watching her adoptive mother unconditionally defend Victoria was a fresh wound.
No one had ever shielded Isabella like that.
Hard work never earned her such fierce, blind loyalty.
She pulled over near the coast. The sea breeze whipped against her skin.
The sun was brutal. The wind felt cold and harsh.
Suddenly, an umbrella appeared, blocking the glaring light.
She turned. Nathaniel Blackwood stood beside her.
No.4
He towered over her, his shoulders broad and imposing.
From her low angle, his features were devastatingly sharp. His presence was magnetic.
His beauty remained a potent force, capable of stealing breath.
She looked back at the ocean. Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion. "Why are you here?"
The vulnerable woman from moments ago was gone. Nathaniel's expression was serious. "Ms. Montgomery, you promised to visit the Blackwood estate to see Christopher. Are you reneging?"
She remembered. She hadn't expected him to retrieve her personally.
She was free today.
"Don't worry. I keep my promises. Let's go."
She compartmentalized her pain. The helmet went on. She mounted the bike.
No.5
Nathaniel wanted to stop her. He knew better. He opted to follow in his car instead.
A woman on a powerful motorcycle drew attention. Especially one in light-colored gear.
A pack of street racers noticed her. They whistled, swerving to ride alongside her.
Nathaniel reacted instantly. His luxury car shot forward, cutting off the racers.
He accelerated. A subordinate grabbed his arm in panic. "Stop! Look at the license plate!"
The racer paled. The plate was unmistakable.
Mr. Blackwood. The man who owned Shelburne.
The racer swerved violently, fleeing the scene. His gang scattered behind him.
Isabella watched everything unfold through her rearview mirror. Something stirred deep within her heart.
No.6
This was what it felt like to be truly protected.
The convoy reached The Palace Heart approximately thirty minutes later.
The Palace Heart was an exclusive gated community of luxury villas. Each villa spanned nineteen floors, featuring sprawling pastures, Olympic-sized swimming pools, private golf courses, and meticulously curated man-made gardens. The price tag for a single villa hovered around ten digits.
Only the elite could afford such opulence.
Following Nathaniel's lead, Isabella parked her Kawasaki outside Villa No. 9.
Two neat rows of servants stood waiting at the grand entrance. They bowed in perfect unison, their voices respectful and synchronized. "Good evening, Mr. Blackwood. Good evening, Ms. Montgomery."
Their deference was reminiscent of courtiers greeting royalty.
The scene was familiar to Isabella. She paid it little mind, walking alongside Nathaniel into the villa.
Servants pushed the heavy, ornate doors open for them. A breathtakingly magnificent hall was revealed.
No.7
The entire space was lavishly adorned with countless pink roses. The villa appeared to be completely overtaken by a sea of blossoms. Helium balloons floated gracefully near the vaulted ceilings. It felt like stepping into a dreamlike fairy tale.
Isabella was momentarily stunned by the elaborate decor.
"Please, Ms. Montgomery," Nathaniel said respectfully.
He had been leading but suddenly shifted to walk behind her. Isabella had no choice but to step forward.
Just as they reached the center of the hall, a loud pop! echoed. A massive balloon above their heads burst, showering them with a cascade of delicate flower petals.
Oliver emerged from a nearby floral arrangement, his face beaming with joy. "Mommy! Happy Independence Day!"
His childish voice rang out clearly as he pulled the string on a confetti popper he held.
A shower of colorful ribbons and gold foil flakes rained down upon Isabella.