Chapter 448
“The assistant swore…it was Isabella…”
Isabella Montgomery? The atmosphere instantly chilled. Theodore Montgomery’s eyes narrowed, his displeasure directed at Victoria. “Victoria, you know how I despise liars. I will not tolerate baseless accusations within this family!”
“I understand your skepticism, Grandfather. I, too, was reluctant to believe it initially. But her assistant was adamant. If we analyze the pattern, the first photo leak coincided with the Chanel show, where Isabella ultimately replaced me. The second incident occurred during her wedding to Alexander Whitmore. She never intended to marry him; her heart belongs to another. The third leak happened at my wedding. She clearly opposed my union with Alexander.”
“Victoria, do you possess any concrete evidence regarding Isabella’s involvement with another man?” Eleanor Kensington inquired.
Victoria nodded. “Yes, I’ve witnessed it myself. Alexander Whitmore and Seraphina Delacroix are also aware. His identity remains a mystery to us. You are welcome to verify this independently.” She dared not mention Nathaniel Blackwood; the consequences of involving him would be catastrophic.
The room fell into a heavy silence, Theodore’s expression particularly grim.
Isabella’s refusal to return to the family estate… Was that indicative of another relationship?
Adam Montgomery interjected, a thought striking him. “If she had no desire to marry Alexander, why sabotage your wedding? She was the one who encouraged it…”
They had monitored Isabella closely. She had always comported herself with maturity regarding the past, showing no lingering attachment to Alexander. While her demeanor toward Victoria was cold, orchestrating such a public ruin seemed out of character.
Victoria lowered her head, feigning profound guilt. “There is something I have concealed for five years… The burden has weighed heavily on me. Now, I must confess.”
She bit her lip. “The truth is… I was present when Isabella fell down the stairs five years ago.”
What? She was there?
Eleanor frowned. Hadn’t Victoria been late to the ceremony that day?
Victoria continued her performance, voice trembling with manufactured remorse. “I came upon them arguing on the staircase. Alexander was accusing her, claiming the child she carried wasn’t his. Their fight escalated. I moved to intervene, to protect Isabella, but Alexander accidentally pushed her. She has always believed I pushed her intentionally. You can call her and ask if you doubt me.” Victoria was confident. If Theodore called Isabella, his question would be direct: ‘Did Victoria push you down the stairs?’ Isabella’s likely response, ‘Grandfather, you knew?’ would confirm her narrative.
She maintained her facade of fear and shame. “Because of this, Isabella has harbored an intense hatred for me. She believes I stole Alexander from her these past five years. Since returning from Africa, her sole focus has been revenge…” She looked pleadingly at Eleanor and Richard Montgomery. “Mother, Father, recall her first day back? Before she left, she whispered in my ear that she would utterly destroy me. That she would take everything from me until we were ‘even.’
“I’ve tried to explain, to reason with her, but she refuses to listen. She systematically strips me of everything I hold dear, meticulously planning my downfall. I never imagined my own sister could be so cruel…” Victoria’s voice broke into a weak sob, tears tracing paths down her cheeks.
The family was stunned. According to Victoria, Alexander accidentally caused the fall five years ago, and Isabella had been ruthlessly exacting vengeance ever since? All the negative press targeting Victoria was part of Isabella’s elaborate scheme? Merely over an accident Victoria claimed Alexander caused?
Richard Montgomery slammed his hand on the table with a roar. “This is monstrous! She is your sister! How could she do this? I’m calling her this instant! She will return here and answer for this!” He pulled out his phone.