Chapter 140
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.
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…”
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.
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…”
Isabella’s gaze remained icy.
In this world, those who cried often received what they wanted.
But Isabella was not a crier.
Was she meant to play the villain simply because she refused to shed tears?
No.
She might not have the power to defeat every evil, but she certainly knew how to handle those who pretended to be victims.
She looked at Victoria with undisguised scorn.
She let out a cold, derisive laugh. “Alright, that’s enough acting. My friend still possesses a complete record of your conversations with Gabriella. If you continue this charade, I will not hesitate to ensure you join her in prison.”
Victoria’s face froze instantly.
The tears that had been welling in her eyes stopped falling abruptly.
Isabella had a copy of her chats with Gabriella!
This… This was catastrophic!
This would utterly destroy her!