The truth hit Isabella with the force of a lightning strike.

A sudden clarity ignited in her eyes.

So that was Zoe’s game.

The fake design was nothing but a trap, meticulously laid out by Zoe herself.

“Clever, Zoe. But you honestly believe I’d fall for this?” Isabella’s lips twisted into a cold, mocking smile, her eyes glinting with pure malice.

Her initial plan had been simple: use the stolen draft to publicly humiliate Zoe at the upcoming Design Visionaries competition.

That plan was now useless.

A far more ruthless approach was required.

“Abigail!” Isabella’s voice cut through the quiet of her office.

The door opened immediately. “Yes, Miss Tremblay? How may I help you?” A young woman, Abigail Thornton, hurried in, her posture immediately deferential.

“Create a prototype from this draft,” Isabella commanded, thrusting her phone toward her assistant. “Immediately.”

“Understood, Miss Tremblay,” Abigail replied, taking the device carefully.

“And ensure it is registered under Sophia Reed’s name,” Isabella added, her tone icy and final.

“Sophia Reed?” Abigail hesitated, confusion flickering across her face. “Miss Tremblay, may I ask why her name?”

“Just do as you’re told! No questions,” Isabella snapped, her glare sharp enough to make Abigail flinch.

“Yes, Miss Tremblay,” Abigail murmured, bowing her head to hide her fear. She didn’t dare utter another word.

“Get out,” Isabella ordered with a dismissive wave of her hand.

“Right away,” Abigail whispered, quickly backing out of the office, the phone clutched tightly in her hand.

The moment the door clicked shut, a wicked, triumphant smile spread across Isabella’s lips.

“You think such a childish trick can save you, Zoe? How utterly naive. This time, I will ensure your humiliation is absolute and complete.”

A ruthless light flickered in the depths of her eyes. She could already picture Zoe’s spectacular downfall on the competition stage. The anticipation was delicious.

Meanwhile, Victoria Lee rushed back to the studio, her face pale, her breathing still uneven from the shock.

She didn’t pause, heading straight for Isabella’s private office.

“Isabella!” Victoria gasped, gripping the doorframe for support. “It’s Sophia and Zoe… They’ve formed an alliance.”

Isabella was seated at her desk, her gaze fixed blankly on her laptop screen, her expression distant, lost in deep thought.

At Victoria’s urgent words, she slowly lifted her head. Yet, her face showed no surprise. It was as if she had been expecting this very news.

“Isabella? What’s wrong? Did you… did you already know?” Victoria’s voice wavered, laced with confusion and concern.

She stepped further into the room, her worried eyes searching Isabella’s face.

Isabella’s focus shifted from the screen to Victoria’s anxious expression.

A soft, weary sigh escaped her. “I forgot… How could I have been so careless…” she murmured, more to herself than to Victoria.

“Forgot what?” Victoria asked, utterly bewildered.

Isabella’s voice dropped to a near whisper. “Zoe and I worked side-by-side for three years at Apex. She knows me, my methods, my patterns… She would have seen through the decoy draft instantly.”

Victoria’s eyes widened in dawning horror. “Wait… Are you saying they figured out our entire plan? Then… we’re in serious trouble, aren’t we?”

A bitter, humorless chuckle escaped Isabella. “If it were just Sophia, I wouldn’t be overly concerned. She’s manipulative, yes, but in terms of pure design talent? She is no match for me. Zoe, however… Zoe is different.”

“Zoe…” Victoria echoed, the name itself now dripping with dread. “Then… what will she do?”