Chapter 350
I did follow Victoria's instructions to enter the karaoke room at The Grand Monarch.
But the room was completely empty.
Victoria locked the door from the outside to prevent either of us from escaping.
I assumed the plan had failed and I wouldn't get my payment.
Then the Syndicate Leader actually brought you back to the room!
The man who slept with you was the Blackthorn Syndicate Leader!
Sebastian Blackwood cried out in genuine agony. His voice carried raw sincerity, completely devoid of deception.
Isabella Montgomery paused. She turned and fixed him with a piercing stare. The Blackthorn Syndicate Leader? You mean Sebastian Blackwood?
Yes! Exactly! Sebastian noticed her hesitation and seized the opportunity. When he brought you back, he handed you over to me. Told me to act like everything went according to plan. Dawn was already breaking. You looked completely disheveled. It was obvious he was the one who slept with you! How could I ever dare touch a woman the Syndicate Leader claimed!
Besides, Victoria and Mr. Whitmore arrived to collect you just minutes later. I never laid a finger on you. Not even a single touch! I swear to God! Ask Mr. Whitmore or Victoria if you don't believe me. My clothes were still perfectly intact. I hadn't even taken off my socks! Sebastian glanced desperately toward Alexander, silently pleading for support.
Isabella didn't bother looking at Alexander. Her mind raced, processing this new information. Alexander had told her she was assaulted at The Grand Monarch, not The Ritz-Carlton!
She had been taken to The Ritz-Carlton to create the illusion she slept with Alexander.
Now it made sense why the hotel staff mentioned seeing two people dragging her inside.
So that was the twisted plan!
Did that mean Isabella somehow managed to leave the karaoke room before Sebastian entered, encountered Sebastian Blackwood, and was assaulted by him?
Alexander caught up to her. Isabella, it's all in the past now. You've punished him enough. There's no need to involve the police. If you're still upset, I can help you locate the Syndicate Leader. Make him apologize to you properly.
Isabella shot him an icy glare. Do you think I want an apology? I want Victoria behind bars. She needs to pay for what she did to me! She snapped and continued walking away.
Victoria watched from a distance, equally stunned. Was Isabella really this ruthless? Determined to destroy her completely? They had already apologized! Why couldn't she just let it go?!
Alexander watched Isabella's retreating figure, a sinister smirk curling his lips. He had never intended to let her leave easily tonight.
He had to have her. No matter what.
He gave a subtle signal to Sebastian and Victoria before chasing after Isabella.
Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, they had a backup plan. It had to work. No excuses.
She approached Sebastian. You're quite the storyteller! She actually bought it! Come on upstairs. Your reward is waiting.
O...okay... Sebastian struggled to his feet, supporting his injured body. He moved toward his hut as quickly as his wounds allowed.
Everything he said was the absolute truth. He desperately wanted to clarify that. He genuinely never touched Isabella. But explaining further was pointless. Surviving that terrifying woman was enough for now.
Meanwhile...
Isabella navigated the village paths from memory. Sebastian's words echoed relentlessly in her mind.
She escaped the room before Sebastian arrived. Slept with another man.
That man was Sebastian Blackwood.
She remembered seeing Sebastian before, during her visit to the Blackthorn base. He was hauntingly beautiful, devilishly handsome. Isabella, back then, was considered ugly and terrible-looking. Why would a powerful Syndicate Leader ever sleep with someone like her? Something felt profoundly wrong about this entire story. Had she missed a crucial piece of the puzzle?