Chapter 594
Chapter 594:
Isolde looked at her daughter. A cold, dark void opened in her chest, and every remaining shred of patience she had for this family evaporated.
She looked back at Victoria and let out a soft, chilling laugh. “Take it off?” she asked, tilting her head. “You are actually demanding that I strip in a department store to clothe your son’s mistress p>
Victoria’s face turned a violent shade of purple. “Watch your tone!” she shrieked. “If you do not hand over that dress this instant, I will call the bank and personally freeze Effie’s educational trust fund p>
Isolde threw her head back and laughed—a genuine, melodic sound that made Victoria flinch. “The educational fund?” she asked, wiping a tear of amusement from the corner of her eye. “You mean that account with fifty thousand dollars in it p>
She reached for her phone on the glass table, unlocked it, and held the screen up so Victoria could clearly see the bold black numbers on the banking application. “I closed that account yesterday,” Isolde said. “I opened a new, irrevocable trust for Effie this morning. The principal deposit was ten million dollars. I do not need your family’s spare change p>
Victoria stared at the screen. Her eyes bulged. Ten million dollars. Cash.
𝗣o𝗉𝘂la𝘳 s𝘁оr𝘪e𝘴 o𝗻
“Where did you steal that?” she gasped, clutching her chest.
“The initial signing bonus from my consultancy with The Institute cleared this morning,” Isolde replied smoothly. “Earned by my own intellect. Not married into p>
She turned to the personal shopper. “Cancel the transaction for the dress p>
Belle exhaled a small, triumphant breath. Isolde was backing down.
But Isolde was not finished. She raised her phone and dialed.
“Hello, Marcus,” she said, her voice carrying clearly through the salon. “Yes, it is Isolde Carson. I am currently at Bergdorf’s, admiring your emerald silk gown—it is exquisite. However, a rather unpleasant situation has arisen. I intend to wear this piece for an exclusive feature in next month’s Vogue. If this design were to appear on less reputable individuals before then, I would consider it a personal affront. It would certainly force me to reconsider all future collaborations between Carson Dynamics and your brand.” She paused, listening. “Yes, I thought you would understand. Thank you, Marcus. I appreciate your discretion p>
She ended the call and looked at the stunned faces of Victoria and Belle.
“I am not buying the dress today,” she said, her voice dripping with lethal sweetness. “I have simply ensured it will never be sold to anyone who matters. The designer understands the value of a good relationship. Something you would not know anything about p>
Isolde turned and walked back into the fitting room. She stripped off the emerald gown and let it fall carelessly onto the velvet sofa, changed back into her street clothes, then walked out, lifted Effie into her arms, and collected her purse.
She gestured toward the discarded gown. “Keep the dress,” she told the personal shopper. “Burn it, shred it, or use it as a mop. But it will never be worn by trash p>