Chapter 73

Gasps echoed through the studio.

Vincent Delacroix looked utterly devastated.

His custom-built camera was worth a fortune. Every shot from today's grueling session was stored inside.

He dropped to his knees, cradling the shattered equipment with shaking hands.

A thin trickle of blood marked Victoria Kensington's forehead. She ignored it completely.

Her head bowed in contrition. "This is all my fault! I'm so terribly sorry! It was a complete accident! Please, just tell me the cost. I'll cover every penny of the damages!"

"Money can't replace what was lost! That footage was priceless! A full day's work from the entire team gone!" Vincent's voice trembled with a rage he'd never directed at a woman before.

Tears welled in Victoria's eyes. She turned, offering frantic apologies to every stunned crew member in the room.

"I'm begging for your forgiveness! My manager wasn't watching her step... This is entirely on us. I'll reimburse the camera, the lost images, the advertising fees. I'll even cover three days of lost sales revenue. I promise my performance tomorrow will be even stronger than today's. Please, just give me another chance."

Her voice cracked with genuine-sounding distress. The display of vulnerability was masterful. It instantly softened the angry glares around her.

The production manager took a deep, steadying breath. "Fine. We reschedule for tomorrow," he finally grumbled, his tone resigned.

He knew recreating today's magic was nearly impossible. The perfect lighting, the model's energy—it was a fleeting alchemy. This was a compromise born of pure necessity.

Victoria bowed deeply once more. "Thank you! Thank you so much for your understanding. I won't let you down tomorrow!"

Her words were honeyed and meek. But as her head dipped, a fierce, triumphant fire burned in her eyes, unseen by anyone. Isabella Montgomery would not have a successful shoot tomorrow. She would make sure of it. Isabella's time here was over.

Just then, Isabella emerged from the dressing room.

The manager approached her, his expression grim. "Ms. Montgomery, I have terrible news. Our primary camera and the backup SD card are destroyed. Today's work is lost. I must humbly ask you to return for a reshoot tomorrow."

Isabella's brow furrowed. "Excuse me?"

Victoria rushed forward, her voice a pleading whimper. "Isabella, please don't be angry with them. This was my mistake. I broke the equipment. I'll personally cover your fee for tomorrow, and I'll add an extra million for your trouble. Please, you must agree to come back. I'm begging you."

She looked the picture of pathetic remorse.

Isabella's gaze swept over Vincent, still kneeling amidst the wreckage. She studied the scattered pieces of plastic and glass.

Her response was calm and absolute. "I'm sorry. I can't do tomorrow."

A wave of disbelief and anger rippled through the crew.

Victoria had apologized profusely. She'd groveled. A top model was willing to reshoot. Who did this newcomer think she was, refusing?

The manager's voice turned stern. "Ms. Montgomery, this was an unforeseen accident. None of us wanted this. The SD card is destroyed. The data is unrecoverable. A reshoot is our only option."

"Is it?" Isabella asked coolly.

She walked over to Vincent and gently took the damaged SD card from his limp hand.

A tense silence fell as she moved toward the computer terminal.

Nervous glances were exchanged across the room.