Chapter 81

That day, Joy Entertainment management informed Isabel it was time to take measurements for the artists' uniforms, needed for upcoming performances.

Kabel and Amara arrived, Amara excitedly pulling out her phone. "Oh my goodness, I can't believe I'm at Lamoris Joy Entertainment! This has to be documented!" she exclaimed. "Isabel, our classmates are jealous I'm here with you. They didn't have a good relationship with you before, and since Yvette was eliminated, they didn't dare approach you," she chattered, her energy boundless.

Kabel, in contrast, remained calm. "Let's go, enough with the photos. We have important things to do," she said as they entered.

The receptionist, learning their purpose, guided them inside. "The artists are currently training; it may take another half hour. Would you like to rest here until we let you know?"

"Thank you," Isabel replied politely.

Amara, visiting for the first time, was thrilled. "Isabel, it looks like they're training over there! Can I take a look? There are so many handsome guys!"

"Go ahead, but no photos. There are privacy rules for the artists," Isabel warned.

"Will you come with me? I'm a bit nervous. I've never been in such a big company before."

"Alright," Isabel said. They walked to a training room. Joy Entertainment, a prestigious name in the industry, was known for producing promising idol groups—a veritable star-making factory. Ethan, once a part of Joy Entertainment, was now blacklisted and abandoned.

"They must work really hard! I had no idea how much dedication these trainees put in," Amara exclaimed, watching the sweating trainees engrossed in their dance practice.

Someone approached. "Isabel, please come this way; the training has ended!"

"Sure!"

They entered a break room filled with trainees. "Please start taking measurements! The uniforms need to be ready in fifteen days; they compete next month!"

"Okay," Isabel said, asking Amara for help.

"Isabel! What are you doing here?" a voice called. Isabel looked up to see Lucas, Caius's youngest son. He was nearly her age, nineteen, having recently left university for Joy Entertainment.

"I'm here to work," Isabel replied casually, grabbing a measuring tape. "Turn around."

Lucas, resentful, complied. Isabel measured his shoulder width. "Isabel, do you feel no guilt for what you've done to our family?" he asked, his voice bitter.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Are you really saying Ethan's downfall had nothing to do with you? His sudden blacklisting was your doing, wasn't it? You cruel woman, you will surely face the consequences for this!"

Isabel pulled back the tape and glanced at Lucas. "If he hadn't provoked me, he wouldn't have ended up like this."

"You're twisting the truth! Your own malice has plunged our family into despair!" Lucas shouted, his frustration evident. He had been a carefree member of the Clyde family, expecting university life. But with Ethan's expulsion and their support gone, the Clyde Group collapsed. In one night, they went from glory to ruin, forcing him into Joy Entertainment to become a star and help his family. The competition was fierce; he'd advanced only through Filion's connections. His struggles were far from over. Next month, he had to compete on Idols Reloaded. Failure meant all his hard work was for nothing. Training late into the night, exhausted, he blamed Isabel.

"Next," Isabel called dismissively.

"Isabel, how can you remain so calm when your actions have ruined my family? How can you still live so well?" Lucas mumbled.

"You've brought this on yourselves."

"What do you mean?"

Isabel turned, cold. "Don't you dare claim your family didn't conspire against me. This is your punishment."

Lucas was shocked. How did she know? he thought. Could all these family misfortunes be linked to Isabel? A wave of dread washed over him.

Soon, Isabel finished measuring the trainees and left with Amara. Outside, her phone buzzed with a message from Blake:

Blake: Darling, what are you up to? Let's have dinner tonight!

Isabel: I'm at Joy Entertainment.

Blake: Got it! I'll pick you up in a moment!

Isabel sighed at his enthusiasm. "Isabel, let's go have dinner together; it's my treat. Thank you for bringing me here today!" Amara said gratefully.

"Sorry, I have plans."

"Oh! You have plans?" Amara looked disappointed.

Isabel added, "However, you can join me."

"Really?" Amara's spirits lifted.

A Bentley pulled up, and Blake stepped out. "Isabel, I'm here!"

"How did you arrive so quickly?" Isabel asked.

"I happened to be passing by, and it looks like fate intervened! Come here, let's hug!" Blake grinned, arms open.

She pushed him away firmly. "Watch it; there are others around. You should behave properly."

Blake frowned, noticing Amara, frozen in shock. Since Blake's arrival, she'd been stunned by his appearance—handsome, in an expensive car, young, wealthy, and well-groomed.

"Um, is this your boyfriend, Isabel?" Amara asked.

"No, I'm Isabel's fiancé!" Blake said, smiling.

Amara was even more astonished. Yvette had said Isabel's fiancé was a poor delivery boy, whom she'd financially drained. This was clearly untrue.