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She drove to Olivia’s house, even though it was quite late. Isabella took off her shoes at the entrance and quietly walked into the living room.
“Have a seat,” Olivia said, pouring her half a glass of warm water before handing over the contract and materials.
Isabella sat on the fabric sofa, flipping through the contract while listening to Olivia. “The first season of this reality show was already aired and did very well. Now it’s the second season, and you’re a permanent guest. The show will have about fifteen episodes, taking roughly four months to shoot. The payment details are all written in the contract.”
Isabella flipped to the middle of the contract and specifically looked at the payment. One good thing about reality shows is that the pay is quite substantial.
Olivia couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Isabella, your behavior is really embarrassing for your CEO husband.”
“Who would complain about having too much money?” Isabella said, then turned to the last page of the contract, signed her name, and tossed it back to Olivia. She then asked, “When does filming start?”
“The day after tomorrow. You should go home tonight and pack your things. The flight is tomorrow afternoon,” Olivia replied.
“What? So sudden?”
“Sudden? Isabella, I informed you about this half a month ago. Have you been so caught up in your romance with Andrew that you’ve forgotten all about work?” Olivia felt quite exasperated. It was a good thing it was just a reality show; if she were in this state while filming a movie, it would ruin her reputation.
Isabella immediately prepared to pack her things for the trip the next day.
Normally, before she went off to film, Andrew would insist on a passionate night together, but this time her schedule was so tight that he had an engagement he couldn’t cancel that evening.
Thus, Isabella unusually managed to get a good night’s sleep before departure.
The next day, she left with Olivia feeling refreshed.
On the third day of filming, Isabella had just returned to the hotel when she received a call from Oliver.
Oliver said, “Caleb and Mr. Finlo have successfully connected. These past two days, Caleb has been accompanying Mr. Finlo to hot springs, famous museums, and even sent him a couple of beauties, trying every means to please him.”
Isabella listened and gave a cold, mocking laugh. The crisis for the Mitchell family was imminent, so naturally, Caleb had to pull out all the stops.
She gave Oliver a few more instructions before hanging up.
As soon as Isabella finished her call with Oliver, Victoria’s call came in.
She picked up her phone, looking at Victoria’s name flashing on the screen, and coldly curled her lips.
It seemed Victoria was getting anxious too. She had been tirelessly running around for Caleb, but all she thought about was how to sacrifice others.
This time, Isabella wanted to see if Victoria would be willing to sacrifice herself for Caleb.
She casually pressed the reject button and then went downstairs with Oliver to the restaurant.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the phone.
Victoria listened to the busy tone in the receiver, her expression darkening with anger, even becoming somewhat frantic.
No one knew better than she how fragile her relationship with Caleb was. If she became useless to him, he could kick her to the curb at any moment.
At this point, Victoria had almost all her hopes pinned on Isabella, but with Isabella suddenly off filming elsewhere, Victoria had no way to reach her.
Although Victoria held a trump card, exposing it would mean losing its value. It could ruin Isabella, but it wouldn’t benefit Victoria at all.
Victoria was a smart person; she preferred to use her leverage to gain actual benefits.
Returning to the apartment she shared with Caleb, Victoria felt a bit uneasy facing him since she had no updates from Isabella.
However, Caleb was not angry. Instead, he unexpectedly prepared a birthday surprise for her.
He opened the jewelry box to reveal a sparkling diamond bracelet. Taking Victoria’s hand, he personally fastened the bracelet around her wrist and asked with a warm smile, “Victoria, do you like it?”
Victoria nodded, her eyes filled with emotion.
“As long as you like it,” Caleb said, then clicked a remote, causing music to start playing around them.
Caleb stood opposite her, taking her hand with great gentlemanliness, and lightly kissed the back of it.
“Beautiful Miss Victoria, may I have the honor of this dance?”
Victoria smiled, holding his hand and stepping into the dance. Their bodies almost touched as they moved slowly to the music.
She remembered their first meeting at a party where Caleb had asked her for the first dance. He had whispered in her ear, “Victoria, you are the most elegant woman I have ever met.”
When the dance ended, Caleb’s arm remained around her slender waist.
Victoria looked up at him, her eyes filled with unease and apprehension. She knew very well that Caleb was the type who wouldn’t act without benefit, and he would never be kind to someone without a reason.
“There’s still no news from Isabella. Even if she is Andrew’s precious, a billion or so dollars would make any man hesitate, and Andrew isn’t a fool. Don’t worry, I’ll push Isabella. I have her weakness in my hands, and unless she wants to ruin her reputation, she has no choice but to do my bidding.”
Caleb merely smiled faintly. Perhaps Victoria was confident enough to make Isabella compromise, but he couldn’t wait, and neither could the Mitchell family.
For now, he had to cling tightly to Mr. Finlo.
“Victoria,” Caleb cupped her face in his hand, looking into her eyes with a mix of reluctance and guilt. Though he couldn’t say he loved her deeply, Victoria was still the most suitable for him.
“Andrew is a shrewd man, not easily fooled. Don’t pressure yourself too much; business is a man’s responsibility,” Caleb said gently, slipping a hotel room key card into her hand. “I booked a presidential suite at the Sking Hotel. There’s a surprise for you tonight.”
“What kind of surprise? You’re being so mysterious,” Victoria asked with a smile.
“You’ll know when you get there,” Caleb replied, picking up his briefcase. “I have some matters to attend to at the office. Rest well, and I’ll see you tonight.”
Victoria smiled and nodded, reluctantly seeing him off.
As Caleb entered the elevator, he picked up his phone and dialed Mr. Finlo. “Sking Hotel, room 1803. She’ll be there tonight. I hope, Mr. Finlo, you keep your word. By tomorrow night, I want to see your investment in my company’s account.”
…
That evening, Victoria dressed up meticulously before going out. She didn’t return to the apartment until the next afternoon.
Rushing inside, she first leaned over the sink, retching uncontrollably. Then, she filled the bathtub with water and plunged in fully clothed.
Soaking in the tub, Victoria tore her dress to shreds, throwing the pieces out of the tub, and began scrubbing her body fiercely until her skin turned red.
Her eyes were wide open and bloodshot.
Whenever she closed her eyes, the image of that disgusting old man on top of her made her want to vomit.
Victoria soaked in the tub all day and only left the bathroom after dark.
Standing in the bedroom, she was blow-drying her hair when the door suddenly opened.
Caleb entered with his briefcase, glanced at her, and asked in a calm tone, “Victoria, you’re back?” His voice was indifferent, as if nothing had happened.
Victoria’s eyes darkened as she nodded. Then she asked, “Caleb, did you solve the funding issue?”
The old man had raped her and then smugly told her, “Your boyfriend is really something, pushing you onto another man’s bed for money. You’d be better off with me. Victoria, name your price.”
Victoria had been utterly disgusted. He thought that with a bit of money, he could keep her, as if she were a prostitute.
“Is the funding problem solved? Congratulations,” Victoria repeated when Caleb didn’t respond.
Caleb pursed his lips and nodded seriously. “Thanks to you, it’s solved. Victoria, rest assured, I will remember your sacrifice for me. From now on, things will be as they were.”
He reached out to touch her head, but Victoria recoiled in disgust.
Caleb’s hand hung in the air before he awkwardly lowered it, his expression darkening.
“Victoria, you weren’t a virgin when we got together. I’ve never asked who you slept with before. I don’t have a virgin complex; I don’t care about that. Anyway, you must be tired today. Rest early. I have to go on a business trip for a few days; I’ll contact you when I return.”
With that, Caleb turned and left the room.
After the bedroom door closed, Victoria grabbed a bottle of essence from the dressing table and hurled it at the door. The delicate glass bottle shattered, scattering pieces all over the floor.