Chapter 9

The next morning arrived with Gabriella Martinez pulling up to the Kensington estate.

Victoria Kensington stood ready in her finest gown, her face perfectly made up. Eleanor Kensington walked her to the door. "I'm so sorry, darling, but I can't accompany you to the audition today. Your father and I have an urgent project meeting. We're both rooting for you, though! Break a leg and secure that final appearance. Mommy knows you're the most talented one there!"

"Thank you, Mommy." They shared a brief, tight hug before Victoria slid into the waiting car.

The moment the door shut, Victoria's sweet, innocent smile vanished. A cold, calculating expression took its place.

Anxiety had been eating at her ever since Isabella Montgomery returned. Victoria knew the terrible truth: Her real birth mother was executed just three days after her delivery. Desperate for her child to have a better life, the woman had switched Victoria with Eleanor's actual daughter. Poor Isabella was left abandoned on the streets.

Would Eleanor still love her if she discovered the deception?

Seeing Victoria's troubled face, Gabriella assumed she was still upset about the previous night. "Don't let it get to you. It's just one photo," she said, trying to sound reassuring. "Even if it leaked, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Your focus should be on clinching that final appearance spot. Everyone who's anyone will be at the show tomorrow. Rumor has it a Blackwood might even attend. Landing this role would skyrocket your value. No one would even remember that birthday party incident."

"I'm aware." Victoria gave a curt nod.

The events of last night no longer troubled her. The hacker was probably just another obsessed pervert, like so many of her deranged fans. Since nothing was released immediately, it was unlikely to surface now. They probably just wanted the photos for their private collection.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Gabriella added. "When I checked the participant list this morning, I saw Isabella Montgomery's name. The girl just got back to the country and has zero modeling experience. It's honestly laughable that she even signed up!"

Instead of joining in the mockery, Victoria’s brow furrowed at the mention of Isabella. Right. She had threatened to take everything from Victoria. Of course she would show up here, trying to compete. But she was utterly out of her depth against a supermodel like Victoria.

A sneer of pure disdain twisted her lips. Today, she would dazzle the audience. She would make them adore her. She would show Isabella exactly how far out of her league she truly was.

Inside The Ritz-Carlton's Grand Ballroom, a long T-stage dominated the space. Luxurious chairs surrounded it, occupied by hosts, elite designers, and deep-pocketed sponsors.

Models walked the stage one after another. Each wore a simple gown with minimal makeup, their faces blank and devoid of emotion. Chanel was presenting a necklace called 'The Eternal Grove' for the final appearance. Crafted from platinum and shaped like a delicate leaf, it featured a hidden green fluorite stone nestled within. The piece, a blend of platinum, white gold, silver, and light green hues, radiated an aura of timeless elegance. The chosen model would need to embody that same eternal grace, or better yet, surpass it.

Sebastian Blackwood watched boredly from a concealed booth on the second floor.

"Bro, you promised the special lady would be here today. The audition's almost over. Where is she?"

"Exactly! Where's Mommy? These women are all so boring and plain. They think they're so chic. I'm getting sleepy..." Oliver mumbled, his eyelids heavy.

Nathaniel Blackwood ruffled the boy's hair. "She'll be here soon." His gaze remained fixed on the entrance.

"Uh... You saw her once and you're that sure?" Sebastian's tone dripped with disbelief and mockery.

"No one believes in love at first sight until that one person arrives and steals your heart completely," Nathaniel replied, an unconscious smirk touching his lips.

"Lord, save me from this cheesefest!" Sebastian howled, clutching his chest dramatically as if mortally wounded. "Bro, are we even related? I think I was a mistake. I shouldn't have been born. Then I wouldn't have a brother saying things like that to me! Your existence is pure torture for a single man like me!"

Oliver piped up, "Uncle Sebastian, you'll always have me! I'm almost old enough for school. Where's your kid, Uncle? Oh, right... you're not married. You don't even have a wife. How can you make a baby?" He chattered on without a filter. "It's so sad, Uncle. Even if you got married, you probably couldn't get a baby as cute as me." He looked at his uncle with genuine pity.

Sebastian felt the verbal slaps keep coming. What had he done to deserve this?

Suddenly, a wave of excited murmurs and appreciative noises rippled through the crowd below.

The three of them stopped their bickering instantly. Their attention snapped toward the stage.