Chapter 181
Isabella Montgomery suppressed her rising anticipation as the woman entered.
She gestured toward the empty chair opposite her. “Please, join me.”
Beatrice Holloway pushed the dining cart forward, carefully arranging each dish on the table.
“How long have you been employed here?” Isabella began coolly. “There’s something familiar about you.”
“Oh, indeed! Over a decade now. Please don’t mistake my age for incompetence. I’m far more reliable than some of these flighty young girls, no matter how pleasant they seem,” Beatrice replied, her smile radiating pride.
Isabella noted the woman’s genuine and amiable demeanor. She decided to play along. “Reliability is a quality I value greatly. Would you sit with me? There’s something I wish to discuss.”
“Oh? Of course, ask anything,” Beatrice answered, visibly flattered and pleased by the attention.
She knew Isabella was the renowned Diamond Boss, a superstar here for a major campaign. Offending such a powerful figure was unthinkable.
“My questions concern an event from five years ago,” Isabella stated, getting straight to the point. “Please, sit. I need you to think back carefully.”
Five years ago?
A flicker of anxiety crossed Beatrice’s face as a specific memory surfaced.
This very room… five years ago… Wasn't Isabella present then?
The thought that the plain, awkward girl from back then had transformed into this stunning woman was staggering. She cautiously took a seat. “What is it you wish to know, Ms. Montgomery?”
“Valentine’s Day. Five years ago. Who was in this suite?”
This was a presidential suite. Its guests were always notable, leaving impressions. Yet, Beatrice merely chuckled nervously. “My dear, I’m an old woman. How could I possibly recall details from so long ago?”
“Valentine’s Day is memorable. Events of that day would surely stand out, even more than usual,” Isabella countered, her voice steady. “Furthermore, you were responsible for the breakfast service to this room that morning. You accidentally broke a vase in the hallway. The compensation was five thousand dollars. A significant sum for you. I’m certain you remember that day perfectly.”
Isabella spoke with methodical precision. She retrieved a bank card from her bag. “This holds half a million dollars,” she stated. “It’s yours. All I require is accurate information.”
Beatrice’s eyes widened. She had never seen so much money. It represented over a decade of her wages!
Isabella’s intense gaze locked onto her. “Think carefully, Beatrice. Five years ago. Who entered and left this room?”
Her voice was low, persuasive. She slid the card across the table.
The temptation was overwhelming. Beatrice finally capitulated. She wet her lips nervously before speaking. “Ms. Victoria Kensington and Mr. Alexander Whitmore… they brought you in. I was delivering a supper tray next door. I saw them assisting you inside. It struck me as odd. Usually, it was couples. A trio of two women and one man was… unusual.”
Isabella’s brow furrowed. Victoria and Alexander? Five years ago, she had overheard their conversation. Had Victoria masterminded the entire incident?
This story felt wrong. Beatrice was lying.
A cold chuckle escaped Isabella’s lips. “The half-million is for the truth. Do not attempt to deceive me.”
“I wouldn’t dare!” Beatrice blurted. “Even without the money, I wouldn’t risk misleading someone of your stature. I remember them helping you. I remember the childish black dress you wore… Ahem. Forgive my bluntness, but it was… a peculiar, funky-looking garment. It was rather memorable, you see.”
Isabella’s frown deepened. Beatrice’s tone carried a ring of truth. The description of the dress was painfully accurate. She had been a laughingstock that night.
It seemed Beatrice wasn't lying.