Chapter 3

Gasps echoed through the crowd.

“I thought there was only one Czech No.1?”

“How did Isabella gift the same thing? How can there be two?”

Victoria was the first to recover. A mocking laugh escaped her lips. “Hah! It’s obvious. She was too proud to show up empty-handed and bought a counterfeit. She never expected I’d gift the real thing. Now her pathetic lie is exposed! How hilarious!”

“Isabella, have you no shame? If you’re that broke, just stay home. Why embarrass yourself with a fake? I must have been out of my mind all those years ago, taking pity on you,” Eleanor Kensington scowled.

Eleanor had despised Isabella from the beginning. She never knew the woman she scorned was her actual daughter. The beloved Victoria was the adopted child, a carefully orchestrated plan by Victoria’s biological mother, Evangeline Kensington.

Before Isabella could respond, Victoria stepped forward. “Isabella, how could you?” she chided, playing the concerned sister perfectly. “Don’t you know gemstones carry energy? Fake ones can harm the body. How could you do this to Grandpa? Apologize now. I’m sure he and everyone will forgive you.”

“Apologize? You’re the one who should be apologizing!” Isabella shot back. “The Czech No.1 black-green meteorite was discovered in southern Czech. Experts confirm its Mohs hardness reaches 11. It can crush diamonds. Items made from it are impervious to knives or hammers.”

Confident, she continued, “Want to know which is real? Let me show you!” Without waiting, Isabella grabbed a hammer and smashed it down on Victoria’s Buddha statue.

Crash!

The moment the hammer connected, the supposed ‘Czech No.1’ shattered into countless pieces on the grass. Immediately, Isabella turned to her own statue and swung again.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Each strike was heavier than the last. Her statue remained completely intact, its color only deepening to a darker, more profound hue.

The crowd stared, utterly stunned. This was unbelievable!

“What?! How is this possible? Does that mean Victoria’s gift was a fake all along?”

“Those shards are clearly high-grade synthetic glass! We were almost fooled!”

“Exactly. How could a supermodel like Victoria earn five billion in five years? It makes sense now. She’s a fraud!”

The atmosphere shifted instantly. The previous admiration for Victoria’s generosity twisted into sharp condemnation.

“If you knew fake stones harm the body, how could you give one to Grandpa?” Isabella’s voice was laced with scorn, a permanent frown etched on her face.

“I didn’t know… I swear I didn’t!” Victoria shook her head frantically. She turned to Senior Montgomery, her words tumbling out. “Grandpa, I traveled to Czech specifically for this…!”

Theodore Montgomery wanted to believe his granddaughter. But the evidence before his eyes was undeniable. He simply waved a dismissive hand. “Enough. I understand. You were likely deceived abroad.” His tone was final. “Step aside. Someone clear this rubbish away.”

Staff immediately moved forward to sweep up the glittering fragments. Victoria’s face paled as she watched the shattered glass being removed. That ‘rubbish’ wasn’t just her five billion dollars… it was her reputation, her dignity, being carted away.

Humiliation burned hotter than ever before. How did Isabella get that kind of money? Victoria couldn’t earn five billion in five years as a supermodel. How did Isabella manage it in Africa? Impossible! Where did her money really come from?

Theodore paid the drama no mind. His focus was solely on the young woman before him. Five years ago, sending Isabella away was a painful necessity for her recovery. His longing for his true granddaughter never faded. Seeing her return, so composed and strong, he rose from his seat and approached her.

Standing before her, he took Isabella’s hands in his, his touch fond. “My dear child,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve suffered these past five years. From this day forward, your status as my granddaughter is absolute. No one will ever send you away from me again.” He squeezed her hands gently. “Grandpa will transfer the promised fifteen percent share to you, as was always intended.”

Chaos erupted anew.

Senior Montgomery’s favor was unmistakable. He was giving her a fifteen percent stake in the family empire! The adopted daughter, vanished for five years, was suddenly receiving the greatest blessing imaginable. She was beautiful, seemingly generous. Her future blazed brilliantly.

Guests swarmed Isabella, offering congratulations and lavish praise. Victoria stood alone, a dim star in a suddenly bright sky. She was utterly discarded, just like the broken glass. No one glanced her way.

Finally, someone did notice her. Their only comment was a sharp, “Tsk. What a disgraceful fraud.” As they walked away, Victoria’s hands clenched into tight fists. How did Isabella steal her spotlight so effortlessly? No. This was deliberate. Isabella had returned for revenge for what happened five years ago. Victoria wouldn’t allow it. Malice darkened her eyes as she pulled out her phone.

[I want her eliminated.]

High in the mansion’s attic, a tall, powerfully built man stood watching, one hand in his pocket. He exuded an aura of undeniable class and authority. He had witnessed the entire scene unfold in the garden below, his gaze intensely fixed on Isabella. She was extraordinary.

His phone rang, snapping him from his thoughts. He answered immediately. “Did you find any leads on the girl from five years ago?”

“Sorry, Boss. I hit a dead end. Her identity is a complete blank. But we have a bigger problem. Christopher is missing!”

“What?!” The man turned sharply and strode from the room without a backward glance.