Chapter 14 - Isabella's Insurance
Isabella's backup was hidden in the last place anyone expected.
Inside her crimson gown.
Police technicians discovered a tiny body camera sewn behind a decorative jewel near the neckline.
It had recorded the entire confrontation from Isabella's perspective.
Her own voice.
Her own threats.
Her own hands shoving Khloe.
Even the moment she kicked her.
It was devastating evidence.
But Isabella had recorded more than the assault.
Hours earlier, the camera had captured her meeting with Warren.
Marcus watched the video beside Khloe.
Warren stood inside a private gala preparation room.
His face was clearly visible.
“Do not seriously injure her.”
Isabella laughed.
“You suddenly care about Khloe?”
“I care about appearances.”
“What if she won't hit me?”
“Push harder.”
“And if she still doesn't?”
“Create chaos.”
Isabella moved closer to him.
“You promised Marcus would be mine when this ends.”
Warren smiled.
“Marcus will have nothing.”
“He won't have a wife either.”
“That depends on you.”
Khloe looked away from the screen.
Marcus could barely watch.
Then another voice entered the recording.
Julian.
“I don't like this.”
Warren turned.
“You don't have to like it.”
“You said nobody gets hurt.”
“Nobody has to.”
Julian looked at Isabella.
“Just provoke her.”
“That's the plan.”
The recording proved Julian had known about the confrontation.
But it also proved he had objected to physical violence.
Khloe did not know whether that made things better.
Probably not.
Isabella's video continued.
After Julian left, Warren handed Isabella a small envelope.
Inside were photographs.
Marcus.
Khloe.
Hospital schedules.
A floor plan.
The camera caught one additional document.
Damian froze the image.
“Zoom in.”
The page listed emergency medical access points throughout the hospital.
Natalie Cross's name appeared beside one.
The second attack had been planned before Isabella ever entered Khloe's suite.
Warren never expected Isabella's provocation to succeed.
It had been the first step.
If Khloe attacked Isabella, she would be legally disqualified.
If she did not, Warren intended to create a medical crisis.
Either way, Khloe lost the voting trust.
The conspiracy was no longer theoretical.
It was attempted murder.
Isabella finally understood the severity of what she had joined.
“He never told me about the nurse.”
Khloe stared at her.
“Would it have mattered?”
Isabella did not answer.
Marcus stepped toward her.
“You wanted my wife gone.”
“I wanted you back.”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“You wanted to win.”
The words struck her harder than anger would have.
“You never loved me.”
Isabella's eyes filled.
Marcus continued.
“You loved being chosen.”
“And when I chose Khloe, you decided she had stolen something from you.”
Isabella looked toward the floor.
Police took her away minutes later.
This time she did not protest.
Samuel Pierce arrived that evening.
He was older than Khloe expected.
But his mind was razor sharp.
He examined Isabella's recording.
Then the hospital reports.
Then Julian's audio recording.
Finally, he signed the Bellweather activation certificate.
Khloe now controlled the hidden twelve-percent voting block.
The board meeting would begin at nine the next morning.
Warren believed the footage was gone.
He believed Khloe was medically unstable.
He believed Marcus lacked enough shares to stop him.
For the first time, the advantage belonged to Khloe.
Marcus looked at her.
“We can cancel the meeting.”
Khloe shook her head.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to stop his plan.”
Marcus frowned.
Khloe looked at the certified evidence folder.
“I want him to believe he won.”
“And then?”
May you like
Khloe's expression hardened.
“Then I want to take everything away from him in front of the entire board.”
