Queen They Could Not Reach

For several seconds after Isabella stepped down from the stage...

No one moved. It was as though the entire ballroom had forgotten what came next.

Then, like a dam breaking,

Everyone surged forward.

Business executives.

Former classmates.

Teachers.

Fashion enthusiasts.

Sponsors.

Parents.

Journalists who had been invited for the reunion coverage. Within moments, Isabella disappeared behind a crowd.

The same people who had barely noticed her when she walked in were now competing for the chance to speak to her.

"...Miss Vale!"

"Congratulations!"

"It's an honour to finally meet you!"

"I have admired Bee for years!"

"My daughter dreams of becoming a designer!"

"Would you sign this?"

The crowd laughed warmly around her.

And Isabella handled every single person with effortless grace.

She smiled.

She shook hands.

She listened attentively.

She thanked everyone sincerely.

Never rushing.

Never acting superior.

Yet somehow...

She still carried herself like royalty.

Across the ballroom.

The Moretti brothers stood completely alone. People still respected them.

People still feared them. But fear wasn't stronger than curiosity tonight.

Almost everyone had drifted towards Isabella.

Victor looked around in disbelief. "...Did we just become invisible?"

Lucien snorted. "I don't think anyone's brave enough to leave that crowd."

Damian folded his arms. "They're treating her like she's a queen."

Roman watched silently. "They're treating her like someone they admire."

Victor sighed dramatically. "I preferred when everyone was terrified of us."

Lucien smirked. "They still are."

Victor looked around. "Then why is nobody talking to us?"

Roman answered calmly. "Because fear creates distance."

He nodded towards Isabella. "Admiration creates crowds."

None of them responded, because he wasn't wrong.

Aiden watched Isabella carefully. She laughed softly at something an elderly teacher said. Accepted a bouquet from a little girl who had accompanied her mother.

Thanked the hotel staff when they refilled her glass. Every movement was composed.

Natural.

Nothing looked rehearsed.

She wasn't trying to impress anyone.

And somehow...

That impressed everyone.

Near the refreshments...

Claire Donovan took a deep breath. "I have to do this."

Her friend stared. "Are you insane?"

"I need to apologise."

"You bullied her for two years."

"I know!"

Claire swallowed nervously. "But she's Bee."

Her friend winced. "...That's somehow worse."

Claire straightened her dress.

Forced a smile onto her face. And walked towards Isabella. The crowd parted politely.

Isabella looked up. Recognition flashed across her face immediately.

"Claire." Her tone remained perfectly pleasant.

Claire laughed awkwardly. "Wow... it's been forever."

"It has."

"I just wanted to say..."

Claire hesitated. "...I have always been proud of you."

Victor nearly choked on his drink. "Oh, that's pathetic."

Lucien laughed quietly. "She couldn't even commit to the lie."

Claire continued desperately. "You know... we were classmates. We all knew you'd become successful."

Roman muttered under his breath, "No, you didn't."

Aiden remained silent.

Watching.

Claire smiled wider. "I actually still tell people we were close friends."

Silence.

Then Isabella tilted her head slightly. Her smile never disappeared.

"Oh?"

Claire nodded eagerly. "Of course."

Isabella looked thoughtful for a moment.

Then...

With perfect politeness, "I'm afraid your memory is much kinder than mine."

Silence.

The nearby crowd blinked.

Claire's smile faltered.

Isabella continued gently, "I remember us sharing a classroom."

Another pause.

"But friendship?"

She smiled sweetly. "I don't believe we ever reached that chapter."

Several people covered their mouths to hide smiles.

Victor burst out laughing. "Oh my God."

Lucien grinned. "That was beautiful."

Claire's face turned bright red. "I... I just..."

Isabella nodded sympathetically. "Memory can be complicated."

Then she politely turned towards another guest. Ending the conversation completely. Without raising her voice.

Without insulting anyone.

Claire stood there awkwardly before quietly retreating.

Victor shook his head in admiration. "I almost feel sorry for her."

"You don't," Damian replied.

"No."

Victor grinned. "I really don't."

A few minutes later...

Another former classmate approached.

Melissa.

She was one of the girls who had always competed with Isabella in school. She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes.

"So..." She looked Isabella up and down.

"You've certainly done well for yourself."

"Thank you."

"I suppose..."

Melissa shrugged dramatically. "...no one reaches that level alone."

The surrounding conversations quieted. People sensed where the discussion was going.

Melissa smiled thinly. "I'm sure you had plenty of... help... climbing that high."

The implication hung in the air. Several people exchanged uncomfortable glances.

Lucien rolled his eyes. "There it is."

Victor sighed. "I was wondering how long jealousy would last."

Damian muttered, "Three minutes."

Roman simply watched Isabella.

Curious.

Everyone waited for her answer.

Isabella looked at Melissa calmly. Her expression never changed.

Then...

She slowly looked Melissa up...

And then down.

An elegant once-over.

Not rushed.

Not dramatic.

Just...

Measured.

Finally, she smiled.

Warmly.

"Oh, honey..."

Her voice remained impossibly soft. "If you're offering advice..."

She gestured lightly towards Melissa's designer outfit. "...you might also consider accepting a little help with your wardrobe."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Then,

Someone snorted.

Another person laughed.

Within seconds...

The entire nearby crowd erupted into barely contained laughter.

Melissa froze.

Her mouth opened.

Closed.

Opened again.

She looked down at her outfit instinctively.

Isabella continued smiling pleasantly. "It would be a shame to waste such confidence on unfortunate tailoring."

More laughter.

Even several teachers had to look away. Trying very hard not to smile.

Victor bent over laughing. "I love her."

Lucien was laughing openly now. "She didn't even raise her voice."

Damian wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "That was murder."

Roman actually smiled.

A real one.

"Elegant."

Melissa looked completely humiliated.

"You".

"I sincerely hope you enjoy the rest of your evening."

Isabella inclined her head politely. "And thank you for stopping by."

Dismissed.

Just like that.

Melissa stormed away.

The crowd watched her leave before turning back towards Isabella with renewed admiration.

One elderly businessman laughed. "Miss Vale, that was wonderfully diplomatic."

Isabella chuckled softly. "I have learned that kindness and honesty can occasionally share the same sentence."

The businessman laughed even harder.

Across the ballroom...

Aiden's brothers stared.

Victor finally spoke. "...Who taught her that?"

Lucien shook his head. "Definitely not us."

Roman answered quietly. "Success."

Damian looked towards Aiden. "Are you going over there?"

Aiden's eyes remained fixed on Isabella. "...Not yet."

Victor followed his gaze. "You've noticed it too."

"What?"

"We can't."

Lucien frowned. "What do you mean?"

Victor gestured towards the crowd surrounding Isabella.

"Look."

Every few seconds, someone new approached Isabella.

A designer.

A teacher.

An old classmate.

A charity organiser.

An investor.

There wasn't a single opening.

The Moretti brothers were men who could walk into any room in the world and command attention. They couldn't even find a moment to speak to a single woman.

Ironically...

Not because she was avoiding them. But because everyone else wanted her first.

Damian laughed quietly. "That's a first."

Roman nodded once. "We're waiting our turn."

Victor looked horrified. "...We don't wait our turn."

Lucien smirked. "Apparently tonight..."

He looked towards Isabella, who was laughing softly at something a retired teacher had said. "...we do."

Aiden remained perfectly still. He watched the woman he had once dismissed as insignificant. Watching the room revolve around her.

And for the first time in many years...

The king of the underworld found himself unable to simply walk over and take what he wanted.

Because tonight...

The entire world seemed to stand between him and Isabella.