Chapter 98
“That’s it! So this was Isabella’s real plan all along. Isabella Montgomery is truly one of a kind. To win using what looks like a losing strategy… That’s brilliant.”
Nathaniel pulled his car over to the side of the road. He took out his phone and sent a message.
[I look forward to witnessing your stunning underdog victory the day after tomorrow. When you win, I’ll have a special congratulatory gift prepared just for you.]
Isabella was lounging on her bed, scrolling through her phone. Her close friends were blowing up her WhatsApp, all trying to help her stage a comeback. A few were still begging her to just drop out of the dangerous game entirely.
Genevieve sent a flood of messages.
[Isabella, have you seen the public opinion online? Do you understand the influence SilverPeak Entertainment holds? Everyone is praising Victoria and tearing your photos to shreds. Your dream of starting your own online business is over before it began.]
[If you sign with SilverPeak, I promise I will make you a bigger star than Victoria Kensington. Furthermore, we can help you resolve this precarious situation you’re in. As for profit sharing, we can negotiate that later. No one else can save you but me!]
Isabella’s red lips curled in disgust. She couldn’t be bothered to reply. “There’s no point engaging with narcissists. The only way to deal with them is to crush them with sheer competence.” The real battle was the day after tomorrow. She would teach them all a lesson. She would show them what true talent and skill actually looked like.
Then, her agent Julian texted her.
[Isabella, what in the world are you thinking? The day after tomorrow is the final day.]
Isabella frowned slightly and typed a reply.
[I really wish I could tell you the plan, but the stakes are too high. Until this is over, it has to remain a secret. I’m sorry, but I can’t risk telling anyone right now.]
[Just remember one thing. I, Isabella Montgomery, would never do anything to truly jeopardize myself. All you need to do is wait calmly. Everything will be fine. If you absolutely must do something, go hire some internet trolls. Pay them to attack my photos even more viciously. The more venom they spew, the better.]
Julian had no response. Hadn’t her reputation suffered enough already? Even though he believed in Isabella’s abilities, the current situation seemed hopeless. How could she possibly turn this around? Oh well. Isabella was a willful woman. Even if she failed, she could always just retire and manage her diamond mines. Three hundred million tons of raw diamonds was a solid backup plan. He decided to stop worrying.
After sending her message, Isabella let out a soft sigh. She couldn’t believe no one had seen through her ruse. ‘What about the big boss?’ she wondered. As she sighed, a new WhatsApp notification popped up.
[I look forward to witnessing your stunning underdog victory the day after tomorrow. When you win, I’ll have a special congratulatory gift prepared just for you.]
Isabella’s brow furrowed. Nathaniel had actually figured out her master plan. Was it because of what she’d said earlier? Had she given herself away? It turned out he wasn’t as foolish as she’d thought.
She began typing a reply. But she’d only managed a few words before a memory from five years ago surfaced.
Five years ago, she lost her virginity. She got pregnant. She suffered a miscarriage…
The current trajectory of her relationships with Nathaniel and Oliver felt like a bad omen.
She thought for a long moment. Then, she slowly deleted everything she had just written. She tossed her phone aside and closed her eyes. Nathaniel was treating her so well. What would she have to do to make him give up on her? Should she tell him what happened five years ago?