Chapter 21

Isabella let out a cold laugh at Alexander’s response and quickly typed back.

[Someone should decide if they prefer human or cow excrement. Or perhaps pick up stray dog shit off the street?]

Neither side was backing down. A bet worth a century’s fortune had just been made. Fans on Twitter erupted into chaos. A live stream of someone actually eating feces versus ten billion dollars in cash—what could be more insane? Everyone was buzzing with anticipation for Chanel’s show the next day.

Isabella remained perfectly calm. She tossed her phone aside and turned to Julian. “Be ready for tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t disappoint you.” With that, Julian turned and left.

He was only her agent, after all. He wouldn’t be staying at her manor. Isabella locked the door behind him and went to bed early.

Victoria, however, wasn’t so relaxed.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Something felt off. Isabella had returned as a completely different person. It was shocking that she could afford the black-green meteorite. As Alexander’s lover, it would be humiliating if he lost the bet.

An idea suddenly sparked in her mind. She got out of bed and knocked on Sophia’s door.

The door opened, revealing Sophia’s confused expression. “Victoria, you’re still awake?”

“Mhm… I can’t stop thinking about Isabella. I’m worried about you,” Victoria sighed.

Sophia frowned. “Worried about me? Why?”

“Oh, Sophia… You saw what Isabella posted online. She’s building an image of being ‘bold and arrogant,’ just like you. And she’s being even more flashy about it.” Victoria paused. “If she dazzles everyone at the show tomorrow night, she might just replace you.”

“Replace me? Is she even capable?” Sophia retorted mockingly, eyeing Victoria. “Victoria, have you lost your mind? I’ve been in this industry for five years. I may not be as popular as you, but I’m one of the country’s top ten supermodels. She’s a nobody. How could she possibly replace me?”

Victoria gripped her hand tightly. “Sophia, the fact that Chanel signed her today proves she has talent. Haven’t you noticed how different she is now? Don’t underestimate her.”

Sophia recalled Isabella’s striking presence on stage. Her face was mesmerizing. Any woman would envy her beauty. Those long, perfectly sculpted legs.

A sudden sense of danger prickled under Sophia’s skin. “Don’t worry. I’ll give it my all. I’ll practice my runway walk right now.”

“One more thing, Sophia: take care of yourself. Isabella has already targeted me twice since she returned. I’m afraid she might come after you, too. Be careful,” Victoria warned softly. “But these are just my suspicions. Isabella is still family. Be kind to her. Don’t make things worse.”

As Victoria disappeared from view, Sophia’s expression darkened. Harm her? Replace her? Over her dead body.

She pulled out her phone and made a call.

…

By 8 a.m. the next day, the entire internet was buzzing about Chanel’s live stream. Isabella woke up early to prepare. But as she was about to leave, she found the door jammed. She tried the knob repeatedly. It was locked from the outside.

She was almost impressed. Someone had the audacity to pull such a childish, low-level stunt right under her nose. Fine. She’d play along.

A cold smirk curled her lips. Instead of forcing the door, she turned back inside.