Chapter 241
Isabella Montgomery’s phone buzzed softly on her lap.
A new message glowed on the screen.
Nathaniel Blackwood: (Focus on your awards. I’ll handle everything else.)
Her brow furrowed slightly.
How had Nathaniel discovered what was happening?
Three more notifications chimed in quick succession.
Nathaniel: (If I fail to save your brother, you may take my life.)
Nathaniel: (Trust me.)
Oliver: (Don’t worry, Mommy! Daddy and I will deal with the bad people. We’ve got your back! Bring home lots of trophies—Momo wants to see them!)
A wave of emotion washed over Isabella.
No one had ever stood behind her like this before.
Not in her entire life.
It felt… good.
Really good.
If Nathaniel said he would handle it, he would.
There was nothing Nathaniel Blackwood couldn’t solve.
She typed a quick reply: (Okay.)
Then she settled back into her seat.
Outwardly, she was the picture of calm.
Meanwhile, in a private hospital room…
Victoria Kensington had the awards ceremony streaming on the television.
Eleanor Kensington had stepped out briefly.
Half an hour ago, Seraphina Delacroix’s assistant had informed her—the plan had failed.
Worse, unless something major derailed the event, Isabella would soon be on that stage.
Accepting awards that should have been Victoria’s.
That stage was hers.
The spotlight was meant for her.
Yet here she was, trapped in a hospital bed, humiliated and in pain.
Isabella didn’t deserve any of it.
If Victoria couldn’t have it, neither could Isabella.
Driven by bitter rage, Victoria had paid men to kidnap Benjamin Kensington.
She’d waited for Isabella to panic and rush out of the ceremony.
She knew Isabella better than anyone.
Cold on the outside, but fiercely protective of the Montgomerys.
Why else would she have returned to torment Victoria?
Victoria eagerly anticipated the moment Isabella would flee.
She imagined Isabella being shoved off a cliff by those hired men.
The thought brought a twisted smile to her face.
But Isabella hadn’t moved.
Why wasn’t she leaving?
Had the kidnappers failed?
She snatched her phone and texted them: (What’s happening? Why is she still there?)
(How should I know? The bitch isn’t responding. I’ve got the guy and sent the message. Now pay up!)
Victoria’s jaw tightened. (Keep messaging her! Don’t stop!)
Back in the auditorium, Isabella’s phone lit up repeatedly.
Email after email flooded her screen.
(Isabella, if you don’t come now, I will kill him!)
(This is not a joke! I’ll make sure no evidence is left!)
(Look at this deep water! Don’t you think your brother is scared?)
(You have fifteen minutes! I’m not bluffing!)
Isabelle glanced dismissively at the screen.
A strange, unwavering faith had taken root inside her.
She trusted Nathaniel completely.
If he couldn’t save Benjamin, her presence would change nothing.
Nathaniel Blackwood was the most capable man in the world.
On stage, the host’s voice boomed through the hall.
“The next award is for 2020’s Most Popular Supermodel. The nominees are Genevieve Laurent, Sofia, Isabella Montgomery…”
Ten names were announced.
Their portraits flashed across the massive screen.
In her hospital bed, Victoria clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Why?
Why was Isabella still sitting there?
Why didn’t she care about her brother?
Watching Isabella win on that stage would be a fate worse than death.
“And the winner is…” the host paused for dramatic effect, “Isabella Montgomery!”
The name ‘Isabella Montgomery’ illuminated the screen.
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.
Every spotlight and camera lens swiveled to focus on her.