Chapter 67
“Send me the address!” Isabel’s voice was firm, though unease crept in. What had Simon gotten himself into this time? “I’ve got to head to the Drunken Lotus,” she told Seraphina before hailing a cab. “Wait!” Seraphina called after her, but the car was already pulling away. Moments later, Blake arrived. Sporting Seraphina's clothes, he asked, “Where’s Isabel?” “Drunken Lotus,” she replied. Without hesitation, Blake got back in his car and headed there. Seraphina finally felt at ease knowing he was on the way.
At the restaurant, Isabel asked about Simon and was directed to private room 08. The moment she stepped inside, something felt wrong. The air carried a cloying, sweet scent—sleeping incense. She turned to leave, but the door slammed shut, locking her inside. Her instincts kicked in. This wasn’t about Simon; someone had lured her here. With no windows and no easy way out, Isabel smirked. “Fine, let’s see what game they’re playing, and let’s see who is behind all this!”
Outside, Amelia and Ethan approached the room. Ethan slipped a wad of cash to the waiter, who quickly left. “Think she’s knocked out yet?” Amelia asked. “Give it a minute,” Ethan replied, smirking. “The longer, the stronger it’ll hit her. When she wakes up, she’ll be ruined.” Their parents had just secured Madam Yolanda’s support, giving them the confidence to execute their plan.
After a few minutes, they finally opened the door. When they entered, Isabel lay motionless on the bed. Both siblings wore masks to avoid the lingering incense. Amelia sneered, her voice dripping with spite. “Look at you now, Isabel. Finally in the place you deserve.”
“You’ve always been so lucky,” she continued. “You took my life, my family, my title. Now that I’m back with the Clydes, you even got Blake while I’m stuck with trash like Liam. Why is everything handed to you while I’m left with nothing!” “You’ve ruined my life, but not anymore. Today, I’m taking everything back,” she hissed through clenched teeth. “Ethan, are we ready!” “All set,” Ethan replied. “They will be here soon.”
Soon, a group of men entered, carrying cameras and lighting equipment. Their setup was disturbingly professional. “Where did you find these guys?” Amelia asked. “Only the best,” Ethan said smugly. “They handle everything—shooting, editing, even the models.” “Perfect. Once this video leaks, Isabel’s reputation will be in shambles. Make will definitely drop her,” Amelia said, her grin wicked. She had been planning this for a long time.
The crew worked quickly. A male model approached Isabel’s seemingly unconscious body, reaching to tug at her clothes. But just as his hand touched her, Isabel’s eyes snapped open. Her hand shot up, gripping his wrist in an iron hold. “You…” The male model froze in shock. Isabel’s kick sent him flying.
The room fell silent, everyone frozen in disbelief. Amelia and Ethan were stunned. Their plan had been foolproof, and now Isabel had turned the tables. “Isabel Galvez, you…” Ethan stammered, rage choking his words. Isabel’s icy glare pinned him. “You’re surprised I’m awake? How else would I know you two snakes set this up?”
She leapt from the bed, grabbed them both by their collars, and dragged them forward. The crew tried to flee, but Isabel slammed the door shut. “No one’s leaving,” she snapped. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ethan shouted. “I’m still your brother!” “Brother!” Isabel laughed coldly. “You’re nothing but a leech. You’ve never cared about me; don’t act like family now.” A sharp slap across his face followed. When Ethan tried to fight back, Isabel twisted his arm and drove him to his knees with a swift kick.
Amelia panicked, stumbling over her words. “It wasn’t me! This was all Ethan’s idea! I swear!” Isabel’s grin turned razor-sharp. “I heard everything, Amelia. Do I look stupid to you?” Ethan shot his sister a look of pure betrayal. He’d done everything for her, and now she was throwing him under the bus. The crew, terrified, chimed in, “We were just following orders! He hired us! We’re innocent!” Ethan’s face twisted in fury; he could only scold in his heart: All cowards!
Isabel smirked. “Fine. If you do exactly what I say, maybe I’ll let you walk out of here.” The crew nodded desperately. “Whatever you want!” “Do you have any of that stuff left?” Isabel asked. The man caught on immediately. “Yes, yes, we have some!” In their line of work, they always kept those kinds of drugs handy; sometimes, they were essential. One of the men quickly handed her a vial. Isabel grabbed Ethan by the jaw, forced his mouth open, and poured the contents down his throat. “You… you witch!” Ethan choked, clawing at his throat. “What did you do!”
Ethan tried to spit out the pill, but it wouldn’t budge, leaving him gagging uncontrollably. He realized things were going south. With a lead actor in place, there had to be a lead actress. Isabel strode over and yanked Amelia out of the corner. “Please, don’t hurt me!” Amelia cried. “I didn’t mean it!” Amelia was a coward, panicking at the slightest trouble. Isabel yanked Amelia forward by the hair, tossed a pill into her mouth, and smacked her back. Gulp! The pill went down.
Isabel turned to the crew, her voice cutting. “How much did he pay you?” “Ten thousand,” one of them stammered. “I’ll pay thirty. Make sure their performance is unforgettable.”