Chapter 84
No.1
The response silenced Genevieve completely. She glanced helplessly at Seraphina.
This crisis exceeded her experience. She had no answers.
"Stop staring at me!" Seraphina snapped. "I'm just an investor! Where's the chairman? He needs to handle this mess!"
"No need! We're leaving regardless! We brought the cash!"
Artists slammed contracts onto the desk repeatedly. "Sign now. Payment ready. You'll pocket billions instantly."
Seraphina seethed with rage. She couldn't believe this nightmare.
Isabella even funded their penalty payments! Seraphina needed an escape plan—immediately.
Isabella’s eyes blazed with fury.
Her mind spun with countless possibilities.
She needed a way out of this trap.
Fast.
She snarled without hesitation.
“The company seal isn’t with me.
The chairman has it.
This discussion is over.”
She didn’t wait for a response.
She turned and strode toward the door.
The celebrities surged forward instantly.
They blocked her path like a human wall.
No.2
“You’re not leaving! You’re the majority shareholder!
We need your signature!”
“You’ve exploited us long enough!
We have the money right here!
Just sign the damn papers!”
“Sign them! No signature, no exit!”
They sealed every possible escape route.
Cornered, Isabella shrieked for help.
“Security! Get in here now!”
Armed guards burst into the room.
Genevieve moved swiftly to shield Isabella.
A chaotic scuffle erupted.
They fought their way out through the crowd.
Both women looked disheveled afterward.
Their clothes were rumpled, hair a mess.
They looked like they’d survived a riot.
Inside the car, Genevieve smoothed her dress.
She let out a heavy sigh.
“Thank God you thought quickly.
No.3
That could have ended much worse.”
Isabella’s lips curled coldly.
“Did Victoria really think her little scheme would break me?
Contact every senior executive.
No one returns to the company.
No one signs those termination contracts.”
“Understood.”
The artists had no choice but to wait.
They lingered at the company headquarters.
Hoping a manager might show up.
Hoping someone would finally set them free.
Isabella had to stabilize the company first.
Then she would deal with Victoria.
Isabella received the update while supervising Oliver’s homework.
She stepped onto the balcony.
Julian’s call came through.
“It’s fine,” Isabella said lightly.
“Even if the contracts aren’t terminated, we’ve won.
Haven’t we?”
No.4
Julian paused.
Then it clicked.
Their real goal was to isolate Victoria.
After Isabella’s social media post, both companies were in chaos.
They were too busy with internal fires to target her.
Many in the industry feared her dominance.
If they boycotted her now, their artists would defect to GoldenPhoenix.
And her company was giving away Dovegg diamond rings.
Every artist chased profit.
No one would refuse free luxury.
Suddenly, endorsement offers flooded in.
Everyone wanted to collaborate with her again.
“Killing two birds with one stone. Well done.
I’ve filtered the endorsement invites.
Made a first-round selection.
You can choose from the shortlist,” Julian said.
“Now that Victoria is out, it’s your time to shine.”
“Don’t worry. When she returns,
I’ll make sure she has nowhere left to go.”
No.5
A dangerous smile touched her lips as she ended the call.
Seconds later, Julian sent the list.
Top brands from cosmetics, fashion, eyewear, and more.
His note followed:
[Amor Group’s shoot is at Greenwish Park.
Close to The Grand Monarch.
You’ll stay there overnight.]
Isabella’s hand trembled slightly.
The Grand Monarch.
Five years had passed.
Could she face the ghosts of that night?
Maybe she could find clues about what really happened.
She steadied herself.
Researched Amor Group.
Amor was a luxury fashion powerhouse.
Specialized in bridal wear.
Their designers were elite, obsessive.
Victoria had been their ambassador.
Victoria had the figure of a goddess.
No.6
The grace of a storybook princess.
Her noble aura captivated millions.
Isabella’s smile turned icy.
She would replace Victoria.
No matter what.
She told herself she was strong enough.
Strong enough to survive one night at The Grand Monarch.
Isabella sent her final terms to Julian Hawthorne. (Amor Group deal is confirmed.)
Julian immediately executed the arrangements upon her acceptance.
She stepped back inside from the balcony. The matter was settled.
Her eyes fell on Christopher. The boy sat staring blankly at his open textbook.
He seemed deeply troubled.
She moved closer to him. Her voice was soft. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Do you need help?"
He looked up, his small face creased with worry. "It's my assignment. I have to write about 'family'. About Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa, and Grandma." He sighed. "I have Mommy. But I don't have a grandpa or a grandma."
Isabella was taken aback. "That can't be right, Christopher. You have wonderful grandparents. Mommy remembers them."
She knew Nathaniel's father came from a long line of renowned physicians. A man decorated with countless medical awards. His mother was born into an elite perfumery dynasty. Her family's signature fragrance once sold for a staggering nine figures.
"They don't love me, though," Christopher mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. It was filled with a sadness that shouldn't belong to a child.
This was new. Isabella had never heard him speak like this before. Her brow furrowed.
"Listen to me," she said firmly, kneeling to his level. "Everyone loves you. You are a wonderful, lovely boy. You know that, right?"
No.7
Any trace of happiness vanished from his face. "Grandpa and Grandma don't like me. They said my mommy was a bad woman. So they think I'm bad, too." His lower lip trembled. "They called me a jinx. They said I won't live past eight years old."
Her heart shattered into a million pieces. She quickly gathered him into her arms, holding him tight.
"You are the sweetest, most amazing boy in the entire world," she whispered fiercely into his hair. "If they can't see that, then that is their loss. Their problem. Not yours. You are going to get better. I promise you. God loves you just as much as I do. He will let you live to be a hundred. We don't listen to cruel words from others, understand?"
He looked up at her, his big eyes wide and hopeful. "Really? I'm not a jinx?"
"Of course not," she assured him, stroking his cheek. "You are the best. Promise me you will never be sad because of what other people say. You live for yourself. Remember that. One day, when you are strong and powerful, they will regret ever saying those things."
"Yes, Mommy! I promise!" he chirped, his usual cheerfulness flooding back. A bright, adorable smile spread across his face.
"That's my boy. Now, finish your homework. You can write all about Daddy and Mommy. For the part about Grandpa and Grandma... just write a little. It's okay."
"Okay, Mom!" He wriggled out of her embrace and scampered back to the table, pencil in hand.
Her heart ached as she watched him.
He was only five. Yet he was diligently tackling fourth-grade work during his summer break. She had assumed all Blackwood children were born with silver spoons.
She never imagined Christopher, a Blackwood, would lack a mother's love. Let alone face such cruelty from his own grandparents.
The more she thought about it, the heavier her heart felt.
'It must be because of his condition. I need to talk to Nathaniel.'
"Mommy is going to get some fruit for you. You keep working, alright?" she said, heading for the stairs.