Chapter 90

Nathaniel felt no urgency. His entire future stretched before him.

Isabella was utterly exhausted. She collapsed into bed the moment she reached home.

Her day had been relentless. A magazine shoot occupied her morning. The afternoon brought an amusement park visit.

Evening was spent establishing GoldenPhoenix Entertainment. An unexpected photoshoot capped the night.

Such a grueling schedule left her completely drained.

She switched her phone to airplane mode. Sleep claimed her instantly.

While Isabella slept deeply, Julian was tearing his hair out.

He had posted the lightly retouched photos per her instructions. The comments section erupted with criticism.

Her most devoted fans offered no support.

[Ms. Montgomery, I truly admire you. But these photos are painfully average. I can't defend them.]

[The plain white background might symbolize purity, I suppose?]

This remark silenced further discussion.

Julian felt a headache brewing. He couldn't decipher Isabella's strategy. He wanted to assist but felt utterly useless.

Watching her get torn apart online was agonizing. As her manager, he felt completely inadequate.

Cassandra handed him a glass of water. "Julian, it's one in the morning," she reminded him gently.

"Right. Sorry for keeping you," he replied.

He pocketed his phone and stood up. "Thanks for your help today. I owe you a meal."

"I'll hold you to that. Now get some rest," Cassandra said with a soft smile.

Julian turned and left.

Cassandra watched his retreating figure, her hands tightening slightly.

His politeness always carried a formal distance.

He only sought her out for work-related matters.

Long after he departed, Cassandra finally stirred. She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts.

Victoria's number glowed on the screen. She hesitated.

After an internal struggle, she tossed her phone onto the couch.

She couldn't bring herself to sabotage his friend, even if that friend was her rival.

Victoria would hear from Gabriella regardless.

"Victoria, check your laptop! Look at Isabella's Twitter. Try to figure out what she's playing at."

Victoria frowned in confusion. "What's happening?"

She opened her laptop and logged into Twitter.

Gabriella explained impatiently, "She posted these bizarre photos... I can't even describe them. Just see for yourself!"

Victoria grew more puzzled. Were Isabella's photos somehow superior?

She searched for Isabella's profile. The underwhelming images made her frown.

The entire internet mocked the mediocre shots. They weren't terrible, just utterly forgettable. Isabella looked like any ordinary passerby.

The contrast made Victoria's red dress photoshoot shine brighter. Netizens praised her to the heavens.

"What is Isabella trying to pull?" Victoria wondered aloud.

"Who knows? Has she lost her mind? She should be competing with better work or attacking you. Instead, she posts this blandness?" Gabriella sounded equally confused.

Victoria studied the photos again. She still couldn't discern any strategy.

A deep sense of foreboding settled in her stomach. Something terrible felt imminent.