Isabella stood frozen in disbelief.

Vanessa’s unnerving calm only amplified the sting of humiliation.

She offered no justification—only a steady, knowing look.

That silence broke Isabella’s composure more than any accusation could.

“You’re lying!” she shrieked, voice trembling with rage. “A complete impostor! You’re not Serena!”

Resentment boiled inside her. Every scheme, every calculation—shattered in an instant.

Isabella released a quiet breath and moved to step past her.

But Vanessa wasn’t done.

She seized Isabella’s wrist. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Isabella’s eyes narrowed, impatience flashing in her gaze.

She pulled her arm free with a sharp tug.

Her voice was icy. “Let go.”

Vanessa stumbled back, nearly losing her balance.

Bitterness laced her words. “You’re not blind. Three years ago, you slept your way to the top with Ethan. And now you’re still tangled up with him—pulling strings to secure deals with Blackwood Enterprises. You dare call yourself Serena? Do you think anyone would believe this? You’d be a laughingstock!”

Isabella’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Vanessa, who are you to judge me? What gives you the right?”

Fury left Vanessa speechless.

Isabella turned to leave.

“You’re not going anywhere!” Vanessa blocked her path. “You can’t parade around pretending to be Serena. You’re coming with me to the committee—now!”

Isabella’s laugh was cold and dismissive.

She signaled the nearby security team.

“Remove her.”

Two guards in black swiftly approached.

They each took one of Vanessa’s arms.

She thrashed and screamed, “Do you know who I am? I’m a lead designer at Blackwood Enterprises! You’ll regret this!”

The guards ignored her protests.

They dragged her out without hesitation.

Outside, neon lights glowed against the night sky.

The noise of the crowd filled the air.

Vanessa was unceremoniously dumped on the curb.

Her clothes were disheveled. Her pride, wounded.

She glared back at the brightly lit entrance of the venue.

Fury and resentment burned inside her.

From the doorway, Isabella watched as Vanessa was forced out.

Her expression remained unreadable.

After a moment, she turned and went back inside.

Calm settled over her.

She had anticipated Vanessa’s outburst.

She was prepared.

Meanwhile, the host took the stage.

“Welcome, everyone, to Design Visionaries!” His voice boomed with excitement. “And now—please welcome our head judge for tonight… Serena!”

The spotlight shifted toward the side entrance.

The audience held its breath.

All eyes followed the light.

Isabella emerged gracefully from backstage.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd.

Then—thunderous applause.

Her colleagues from the design department stared in shock.

Serena was actually Isabella?

How was that possible?

Ethan sat in the front row.

His intense gaze never left her.

She shone brilliantly on stage—more commanding, more luminous than she had been three years ago.

Back then, she had always held something back around him.

A hint of deference. A shadow of restraint.