Chapter 47
“Ahhh!” Sophia screamed, her face turning ghostly white from the sharp pain.
Eleanor immediately pulled Sophia behind her, her expression darkening. “Isabella, that’s enough! How dare you strike your own cousin? Have you no shame?”
“Shame?” Isabella’s voice was icy. “Should I be ashamed for listening to your nonsense?”
“She is your family!” Eleanor shrieked. “Even if she criticizes you, so what? You’re nothing but an adopted daughter! Your very existence is owed to the Montgomery family. With all the disgrace you’ve brought upon us, you deserve every bit of scorn!”
A cold, mocking glint flashed in Isabella’s eyes.
So she deserved to be scorned to death? They would soon see who would truly fall first.
Victoria seized the moment to play the peacemaker. “Mother, Sister, please don’t fight,” she pleaded softly. “Let’s talk this through. Isabella claims she isn’t the other woman and that this boutique is hers. What if she’s telling the truth? Maybe she was forced into this situation?”
“Forced? Don’t make me laugh! She’s just vain and greedy! If I hadn’t taken her in all those years ago, she would have died on the streets! Instead of being grateful, she repays us with this humiliation!” Eleanor’s voice grew louder, her eyes burning with fury.
“You’ve disgraced the Montgomery name! If you have any respect left for your foster mother, you will go to Senior Montgomery and tell him you’re leaving the family voluntarily! Spare us all from your shame!”
“Aunt Eleanor is right!” Sophia chimed in, her voice trembling with rage. “I’ll expose you to the world! Your reputation will be ruined! You should disappear now before you tarnish the Montgomery legacy forever!”
“Expose me?” Isabella let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “Go ahead. Be my guest.” Her tone was unyielding, filled with defiant confidence.
Victoria hated this version of Isabella—proud, stubborn, and utterly uncontrollable. How could a mere mistress act so arrogantly?
Just then, Victoria noticed paparazzi lurking outside the boutique, their cameras aimed discreetly through the window. An idea sparked in her mind. She stepped forward and gently grasped Isabella’s arm.
“Sister, Mother and Sophia only want what’s best for you. If you made a mistake, just apologize. Or if you’re in trouble, tell us. We’ll forgive you.”
“Forgive me?” Isabella’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t have the right to forgive anyone. Get your hands off me!” She jerked her arm away forcefully.
“Ah!” Victoria stumbled backward, crashing into a glass display counter.
The counter shattered instantly, scattering shards of glass across the floor. Victoria fell hard, crying out as a piece of glass sliced deep into her palm.
“Victoria!” Two voices shouted in unison—Eleanor and Alexander.
Alexander rushed to her side, his face pale with worry. “Victoria, you’re bleeding!” he exclaimed, helping her up.
“I’m fine, really,” Victoria whispered, clutching his sleeve. “It was an accident. Isabella didn’t mean to push me. Please don’t blame her.”
Alexander’s handsome features twisted into a mask of cold anger. He turned his glare toward Isabella. “Isabella! Your sister was trying to help you! How could you be so cruel? You’re nothing but a heartless viper!”
“You wretched girl!” Eleanor snarled, her eyes burning with hatred. “How dare you hurt my daughter? Don’t you know she needs her hands to play the piano? Who do you think you are, laying a finger on Victoria?”