Just as the crowd began mocking Isabella, a soft, delicate voice cut through the noise, “I don’t believe it’s as they say. I’ve seen clips of Isabella playing the female general, and her acting was precise and vivid. If Vice President Knight made an exception for her, it’s completely understandable.”
The noisy crowd was interrupted by this unexpected contradiction. Everyone turned to look at the girl who spoke.
The girl’s name was Masha. She had only recently joined the training camp. Coming from an ordinary family and being introverted, she was usually among those bullied by the privileged trainees.
After all, rivals can be enemies. As a competitor, the trainees most disliked an ordinary, poor girl like Masha trying to compete with them.
Usually, Masha kept quiet about the bullying she endured. Today, for some reason, she stepped up to defend Isabella.
Isabella was sli
Back at home, Isabella had finished changing and showering. She sat quietly in the bathroom, lost in thought.The bathroom door was gently knocked on, and Lucius’s deep voice came through, “Bella, why are you taking so long? Are you done with your shower?”Isabella snapped out of her reverie. She acknowledged his concern and opened the bathroom door to step out.Lucius’s eyes were full of care as he looked at her. Isabella smiled brightly at him, trying to lighten the mood, “Why do you keep staring at me? Do you think I look particularly beautiful?”Lucius playfully pinched her nose and smiled, “My Bella is always the most beautiful.” He then pulled her into his embrace, his heart aching, “I’m sorry. I didn’t arrive in time and let you suffer.”Isabella’s nose felt a bit tingly. She rested against Lucius, inhaling the fresh, clean scent of him, and felt her internal dis
Raising an eyebrow, Masha continued eagerly, “You won’t believe this, but during the morning meeting, everyone got a scolding from the training instructor. Apparently, Lysander Knight called us out in the company’s business newsletter, criticizing the trainees for being disorganized, divisive, and bullying newcomers. The instructor said that if any more incidents of internal conflict or cliques happen, the ringleaders will be fired.”Isabella suddenly understood. No wonder everyone’s attitude had softened toward her this morning.No one wanted to be labeled a troublemaker and risk getting fired.Masha grinned mischievously and nudged Isabella lightly. “Isabella, do you really know Lysander Knight? He seems to care a lot about you, like he’s got something special going on for you.”Isabella rolled her eyes at Masha, feigning annoyance. "You’ve got quite the imagination. Lysander Knight's comme
Sure enough, just a few days later, Cynthia saw her video go viral online, and she’s now the target of widespread criticism. Her reputation has plummeted.Cynthia was so furious when she saw the news and social media that she almost fainted.However, she deeply felt that there was someone powerful behind Isabella, secretly helping her. This person could command a storm, delete comments overnight, and stir up public opinion, manipulating the entire internet. This was no ordinary person.That evening, when Isabella returned home from work, she saw Lucius standing at the entrance of the house from a distance.The setting sun cast a golden glow on his well-proportioned and upright figure. His eyes were deep and dark, like a distant, profound sea with brilliant lights shimmering in the center.Like a warm light through thick fog, giving one boundless courage and hope.
Amid the array of unfamiliar and delicious dishes, Lucius deliberately pushed forward a seemingly ordinary slice of grilled bread topped with fresh tomatoesIsabella was enjoying her meal when she mumbled, “Where did you order this food from? It tastes really good. Hmm, but it seems a bit like the dishes we had at the wrap party the other day.”Lucius remained silent; These dishes were actually prepared and delivered by the top chef.Isabella picked up the most unassuming dish among the delicacies—the grilled bread—and took a bite. Her face immediately scrunched up. “It’s too sour, and there’s garlic skin in it. The chef’s other dishes are top-notch, but this one is a disaster. They must have added lemon.”Lucius, who had been eagerly watching her, saw his hopes dashed in an instant.Isabella was puzzled by the stark contrast in quali
Seeing Lucius preoccupied with the cat, Isabella, fuming, turned to leave. Just as she opened the door, Lucius closed it behind her.Isabella’s anger was still simmering. On her birthday, Lucius had given a gift to a cat instead of her, which was incredibly frustrating. She stubbornly gripped the door handle, ready to storm out, when suddenly a shimmering bracelet dangled in front of her.Lucius’s magnetic voice, filled with affection, drifted into her ear. “Silly, are you getting jealous of a cat? Trying to steal its collar? I didn’t know my Bella was such a big jealous pot.”“I had already prepared your birthday gift,” he said, taking her delicate wrist and placing the bracelet on her snowy-white arm.Isabella glanced at the bracelet and realized it was something she had admired once while passing by a mall. The price had been too high, so she had just looked and walked away.
As Isabella followed Lysander Knight and the top executives to the spacious and well-lit executive elevator, she noticed its luxurious features: a small bar, comfortable leather sofas, and a relaxing atmosphere.“Please, have a seat. We’ll make it before clock-in time,” Lysander Knight said with a gentle smile.“Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was tired from standing, she noticed that the executives did not sit down and awkwardly said, “Vice President, I’m not tired. Thank you for letting me use the executive elevator.”Lysander Knight’s smile remained warm and sincere, “No need to be formal. It’s my pleasure to help you.”Isabella couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious under the surprised gazes of the executives. She wondered if Lysander Knight was like a savior sent to her.The elevator reached the 35th floor, and as the doors opened, Isabella ch
Cecilia and Karrie were frozen in place. Losing twenty points was equivalent to a death sentence for them. They had struggled and given their all for two years in the training camp, and now half of their points were being deducted, making any hopes of promotion seem impossible.Cecilia, who was always concerned about face, began to cry in public.Karrie also pleaded with a pained expression, “Vice President, we’re sorry. We won’t do it again. Please don’t deduct our points. We’ll definitely correct our mistakes.”Lysander Knight replied coldly, “When you were sabotaging someone else’s punctuality, did you consider the importance of these points?”He ignored the two women’s self-inflicted plight and turned to the mentor, instructing, “Skills are important, but we must also maintain ethical standards. Issue a penalty notice and announce it company-wide to set an example.”
The trainees in the pool watched Isabella with mocking expressions.Isabella’s face grew pale as she stared at the glaring water, her limbs growing ice-cold. Her forehead, palms, and back were covered in cold sweat.The image of her grandfather’s face, immersed in the icy river, flashed in her mind.Her grandfather had lifted her body out of the water, while he himself was pulled into the swirling current.She screamed for her grandfather, reaching out to grab him, but she could only watch helplessly as he disappeared, sinking into the river.Until she saw her grandfather’s cold, lifeless body...Since then, she had been afraid of water.Isabella took a step back, her eyes filled with terror.The laughter grew louder.Ignoring the mockery, Isabella turned and tried to flee the sw
As if reading her thoughts, Lucius embraced her and held her face, looking into her eyes. “I love you,” he admitted, his gaze unwavering. “I always have. Ever since the first time we met, I admired your strength and your passion. I wanted to be someone you could rely on, someone who would stand by you, even if it meant hiding who I was.”Isabella searched his eyes for any sign of deception, but all she found was raw honesty. The realization settled within her like a weight being lifted. The anger that had flared between them now seemed trivial compared to the bond they had forged through adversity. “No more secrets, okay?”“Agreed,” he said, relief flooding his features. “I promise to be honest with you from here on out. And please don’t worry about the Rivera Corporation. I’ll help you resolve everything.”“You know?” Isabella blinked, startled once again.“I said I was on a business trip because I’m helping you solve the problems at the Rivera Corporation. Your father is critically i
When Isabella finally finished her work and could take a moment to rest, she remembered that someone was waiting for her at home. She quickly took out her phone to send a message.She had expected to find numerous missed calls and messages from Lucius, given his personality, but to her surprise, there was only one message.“Bella, I’ll be busy traveling with my boss for the next few days, so don’t worry about me.”Of course, Lucius had his own life and couldn’t revolve entirely around her. Yet, for some reason, Isabella felt uneasy upon reading that message.As fatigue set in, she had no choice but to rest in the office for a while.She slept soundly until night fell and was awakened by Nate shaking her.“Miss, there’s a banquet tonight where you need to attend as the representative of the Rivera Corporation. We can't let others see us in a bad light; it’s best if you can bring in some investment for the company,” Nate said, immediately arranging for a stylist and a wardrobe for Isabe
"Are you sure it’s not needed?"“Miss, what do you mean?” Nate, perceptive and sharp, immediately understood after hearing Isabella’s words—Regina was involved.Isabella nodded and said to Nate, “Before, when I was slandered, I had a huge argument with my father because I discovered that Regina was behind the losses of the Rivera Corporation. But I only heard fragments of her conversation; I had no evidence.”“I’ll go retrieve the accounts! As long as there are financial transactions, we should be able to uncover the truth,” Nate said, quickly heading towards the company.After all, with Carlos in his current state, only the doctors and nurses could help him now.Once Nate left, no one else appeared outside the hospital room.Isabella dialed Regina’s number.
As Isabella listened to their conversation, a realization struck her. She stepped forward, hesitating for a moment before asking, “Is this the woman you saw?”Barely able to contain her excitement, she pulled out a photo of her mother and handed it to the person who had been speaking.“Yes, yes, that’s her!” The person, startled by Isabella’s sudden appearance, nodded in recognition. After all, such a beautiful woman was unforgettable after just one meeting.“I clearly remember that she was kidnapped by a man living in this building, and Regina was being chased by debt collectors. She even tried to confront that man, provoking him and putting herself at risk with those pursuing her for money.”“Oh, isn’t that just typical of her? Deep in debt and not even trying to earn her way out,” one person scoffed.“I can’t believe it!” Isabella clenched her fists in anger, her eyes wide with disbelief.Her mother had only mentioned her benefactor once,
“You don’t even share the Knight last name, and you dare to argue with me in front of my parents, and my own nephew? You really have some nerve!” Giselle coldly shot a glance at Lydia, not holding back her disdain for her. When it came to matters of interest, she didn’t even want to pretend anymore.“What do you mean I don’t share the last name? I’ve carried a Knight family member in my belly! My poor Lily is still in the hospital, all alone, receiving treatment while her mother is being bullied like this. It’s really inhumane!” Lydia put on her usual act, crying and making a scene, appealing to everyone’s sympathy for her sick daughter.Lydia was merely the daughter of a subordinate of Lucius’ father—Jay. At a banquet, she climbed the social ladder and successfully became Jay’s mistress, even getting pregnant.She gave birth to a daughter, Lily Knight, but the child was born frail and weak.
“Did they send you as a negotiator?” Hearing Lysander mention the Knight family, Lucius couldn't help but sneer, dismissively saying, “They’re all useless leeches clinging to me. None of them genuinely care about my well-being.”The reason Lucius had been gravely injured in front of Isabella was recently revealed to be the work of a business competitorBut at that time, some members of the Knight family weren’t in a hurry to find him; they even tried to take advantage of his absence to seize control of the Knight Group.The ‘useless’ people Lucius referred to included his stepmother—Lydia, his aunt—Giselle, and Lydia's brother, Hans.They all had their eyes on the Knight Group, clearly incompetent and unable to do anything, yet they harbored grand ambitions of taking it for themselves.Over the years, Lucius had cleaned up many of their messes.Fo
Seeing that the crowd was about to be won over by Isabella, Samuel couldn’t hold back his frustration any longer. He turned and walked away, almost fleeing, and his back looked utterly defeated.“I do not regret choosing Aetheron Film Academy; it has always been my dream school because it is open-minded and inclusive, a place where all aspiring performers wish to be. So today, I will not shy away from being broad-minded and accommodating of everyone’s opinions. Now that I stand on this stage, I am not just myself; I am embodying a character whose image is open to any judgment. Thus, I welcome all your doubts.”“However, I also hope everyone can think critically and analyze dialectically. It’s best to bring strong evidence before questioning me. When you defame me, don’t just follow the crowd; have your own insights. If you have grievances against me, feel free to confront me directly; I am never afraid.”“Lastly, I
Clearly, Isabella's powerful presence had intimidated them.In the audience, surrounded by so many people, it was easy for them to hurl defamatory remarks and throw a few paper balls without fear of being immediately identified by Isabella. They felt shielded by their large numbers.But when Isabella asked who among them could replace her, no one dared to speak up. Many of them bowed their heads, afraid to meet her gaze, fearing that if they made eye contact with her, they might be called up to the stage.However, not everyone present was without courage. Some were accustomed to bullying Isabella under the cover of numbers, while others genuinely disliked her due to the rumors circulating about her. One of these was Molly.Glancing around, Molly noticed that those who had thrown things the hardest were silent, not daring to contradict Isabella. Without fear, she stood up, becoming the center
After wrapping up the matter, Isabella went to Aetheron Film Academy for classes.Today was her opening ceremony, and due to her excellent grades, she had been chosen to represent the freshmen and give a speech.Such things had always been routine for Isabella.Having excelled academically throughout her life, Isabella was not intimidated at all; she delivered her speech as the representative of the new students with great fluency. “I’m very happy to enter Aetheron Film Academy and become a diligent student of Aetheron. In the near future, we will surely be the creators of this glorious era.”However, just as she was concluding her speech, someone in the audience threw a rotten egg at her, hitting her squarely.Wearing a pure white dress that day, the foul-smelling egg not only covered her in a terrible odor but also instantly stained her dress, causing the crowd to eru