Chapter 111

Victoria narrowed her eyes. She hadn't landed a single endorsement deal in months. The nude photo scandal and her humiliating defeat against Isabella had left her completely frozen out of the industry. Getting a contract with a major corporation like Mercedes was nothing short of a miracle. There was no way she could refuse this opportunity.

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."

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.

She had already scrutinized every guest present at The Ritz-Carlton that fateful day. Even Victoria's role had been uncovered, yet the trail for that man had gone cold. It seemed Victoria was the only one who held the key to the truth.

Isabella set down the list of names, a dark shadow passing through her eyes. Since the investigation had hit a wall, the next step was to extract the information directly from Victoria. The Auto Show presented the perfect opportunity.

Before she knew it, the day of the Mercedes Auto Show arrived. The backstage was a whirlwind of top international supermodels, all blonde and blue-eyed. Victoria had arrived too.

Normally, her entrance would be met with roaring crowds of fans. But the nude photo scandal and her very public defeat had changed everything. Her arrival was subdued, almost anonymous. She moved through the backstage with Gabriella, feeling like a complete unknown, a ghost of her former self.