Chapter 221

The reporters, who had initially left, swarmed back to Isabella's company building like bees to honey after news of Odette's murder broke.

As soon as Isabella stepped out after work, she was hit with a barrage of questions from the press.

"Ms. Taylor, there's a rumor online that your husband killed Odette because she tried to harm you. Is that true?"

"Ms. Taylor, some say you promised Odette a lot of benefits but had her killed to avoid keeping those promises. What's your take on that?"

"Ms. Taylor, now that Madeline has lost it, are you planning to take her out too?"

Isabella was beyond frustrated. Standing in front of the flashing cameras, she kept her cool. "First off, I haven't killed anyone, and I have no idea who did. If you want details, ask the police, not me. Also, my husband is just a regular guy; he has no ties to any assassin groups. In the real world, we go by evidence, not wild guesses."

Just as she finished, Leo pulled up with the car. With security's help, Isabella pushed through the crowd of reporters and got to the vehicle.

Right before getting in, she turned back to the reporters, her eyes cold. "I hope you, as journalists, will stick to the truth instead of using baseless rumors to sway public opinion for clicks. If you keep accusing me without proof, I'll take legal action."

With that, Isabella got into the car and shut the door. Leo started the engine and drove off, quickly disappearing around the corner.

As Isabella left, the reporters, now without a target, scattered quickly.

Sitting in the back seat, Isabella crossed her arms, her face tense. She realized something was off-these reporters had shown up way too fast after Odette's murder, like sharks smelling blood.

"This whole thing reeks of Bianca, not me. Why are all these reporters gunning for me?" Isabella muttered, frowning as a possible explanation hit her.

She quickly pulled out her phone, removed Bianca's number from the blacklist, and dialed it.

Bianca was with John, listening to him explain their PR strategy when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and hesitated.

"It's Isabella. Should I answer?" Bianca asked John.

John thought for a moment before nodding. "Go ahead. Let's hear what she has to say."

Bianca answered the call, and Isabella's voice came through, cold and accusing. "Bianca, this is your doing, isn't it? You deliberately pointed those reporters at me. This kind of sneaky move is so you."

Bianca snorted. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Unless you've got proof, that's slander."

"The evidence is lying in the morgue. I never thought you'd stoop so low," Isabella shot back with a sneer.

"Isabella, you've got me all wrong. I have no reason to harm Odette. I'm just as innocent as you are," Bianca replied, putting on her best innocent and hurt act.

"Let me talk to her," John cut in, taking the phone from Bianca. "Isabella, I just got back from the police station. Both Bianca and I have alibis for the time of Odette's death. We didn't do it. If you want to find out who did it, go ask the police. We have things to do, so we're done here."

With that, John hung up abruptly.

Isabella sat in the car, staring at her phone in shock. "John and Bianca are living together?"

She quickly realized that Bianca alone wouldn't have been able to mobilize so many reporters. It had to be John's doing.

"Looks like John has completely turned against Mason," Isabella muttered, clenching her fists in anger.

John's tactics weren't particularly clever or effective, but they worked-at least in getting her riled up and off his back.

"Ms. Taylor, should I inform the boss? He could easily silence those media outlets," Leo suggested, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

Isabella shook her head. "No need. It's just a petty annoyance."

Despite her anger, she remained focused. She had more pressing matters to attend to-Jasper was about to be released from the detention center, and she needed to focus on that.

Meanwhile, John briefed Bianca on the PR strategy. She listened intently, committing every detail to memory.

"Right now, everyone suspects you and Isabella. What you need to do is leverage your bad reputation. Keep reminding people that you had no reason to kill Odette. Steer suspicion toward Isabella's mysterious husband and drop hints about Pearl to push Paxton into investigating," John advised, a hint of resignation in his eyes.

John, as the Williams heir, once controlled all family resources. But after clashing with Mason, his influence had significantly waned, forcing him to rely on Paxton's resources.

Bianca grabbed John's hand, her eyes filled with concern. "I'm so sorry, darling. You've sacrificed so much for me."

John brushed her hair gently. "It's not that bad yet. I'm still the heir, and even without Mason's help, I have enough power."

"Thank you, darling. Thank you so much," Bianca said, throwing her arms around him and sobbing quietly into his chest.

Meanwhile, Isabella returned to her villa, surprised to find Michael had come home early.

He placed his phone on the table, having just finished a call.

"You're home early. I haven't had time to cook. How about we eat out or order in?" he suggested with a smile.

Isabella suddenly hugged him tightly, her voice trembling. "I'm caught in another media storm. They're accusing me of being a murderer!"