Chapter 690

Victoria could sense Isabella's growing affection for Charlotte through their connection. Her rage erupted like a volcano, her features twisting into something dark and dangerous as she clenched her teeth.

"Are you all incompetent?" she snapped at the masked men. "Can't even handle one little girl?"

The black-clad figures immediately surged toward Charlotte.

"Stay away from me!" Charlotte shrieked, her voice trembling. "Mrs. Victoria, help me!"

Victoria reacted instantly, shielding Charlotte with her body as she glared at Isabella. "Who are you?" she demanded. "You know me, don't you?"

Isabella froze mid-step, her breath hitching.

Victoria's sharp eyes swept over her, analyzing every detail. "You're aware I've been confined to this wheelchair for years. Otherwise, you wouldn't have questioned my legs." Her voice turned icy. "You're someone from my past, aren't you? Definitely a woman."

Years of being the Falcon family matriarch had honed Victoria's instincts to razor sharpness. Her piercing gaze seemed to strip Isabella bare.

A cold sweat broke out on Isabella's back. If Victoria recognized her, everything would unravel. She had no choice but to escalate.

"Since the old hag is so protective of the brat," she hissed, "eliminate them both."

The masked men nodded in unison. "Understood."

Isabella cast one last frigid look at Victoria and Charlotte. "You'll learn my identity when you're breathing your last."

With that, she turned sharply to leave.

A sudden cry made her whirl around. Victoria had shoved aside one attacker and lunged forward with surprising strength, yanking the mask from Isabella's face.

A cold rush of air hit Isabella's exposed skin. Her eyes locked with Victoria's—wide with shock and dawning horror.

"Isa...bella?" Victoria whispered, her voice breaking.

The mask was off.

Isabella stood paralyzed, her mind reeling. Victoria had recognized her.

No. No, no, no—

Charlotte gasped. "I know you! You're that horrible woman from before!"

Isabella scrambled to snatch back the mask. "Give that back!" She desperately covered her face with her hands. "Don't look at me!"

Victoria staggered back, disbelief written across her features. "How could it be you? You orchestrated Charlotte's kidnapping? You—"

Panic clawed at Isabella's throat. "Mrs. Victoria, listen! I never meant to involve you! I only wanted Charlotte. Why did you interfere? You've ruined everything!"

"What plan?" Victoria's voice rose. "You wanted to harm a child? Have you lost your mind? This is illegal!"

"Harrison started this!" Isabella spat, then caught herself. "It's her or me!"

Victoria's eyes flashed. "Harrison hasn't set foot in Metropolia for three years! She's never competed with you. You're already the wealthiest heiress in the city. I've even supported your marriage to Nathaniel! What more do you want? How could you sink this low?"

Isabella studied Victoria's face. "You've grown fond of Harrison, haven't you?"

Victoria hesitated. "I—"

"See? You keep defending her! Everyone always takes her side!"

"It's not about sides," Victoria countered. "Harrison would never resort to this madness—"

Isabella's scream cut through the air. "ENOUGH!"