The World Is Mine For The Taking

After cleaning up with Sandra, I swung open the door to the room, letting a rush of cool air hit my face. There, in the hallway, stood the two Shadow members—Isabelle and Juliette. Their chests heaved with every breath, their faces flushed red, a sheen of sweat glistening on their skin. Even with the supposed soundproofing, it looked like they'd caught every bit of what went down inside.

Their eyes darted away quickly, but the heat in their cheeks betrayed them.

Across the hallway, my gaze landed on three more women—Maya, Amon, and a newcomer who immediately drew attention. She was mesmerizing, her beauty radiating like a pulse. The dress she wore clung to her body in just the right way, flowing like water and sparkling under the light, as if it had been crafted for royalty.

Her posture was regal, with an elegance that made it seem like she had been born for a throne. One glance at her, and you'd think she was a princess.

But in reality, just like me, she was only a commoner.

This was my way of striking back at that woman, Kayla—the one who constantly set Ella on my trail, trying to pry into my relationship with Charlotte. But there was more to it than that. I was going to shatter the pride of those arrogant nobles, make them swallow the fact that even commoners could rise above them. I could already imagine the bitter taste in their mouths.

It would be hilarious to see their reactions, and I couldn't wait.

***

Kayla's POV

Sirches still wasn't picking up my calls, the silence stretching longer and longer. He was so late that the party had already been in full swing for what felt like an eternity.

"I can't believe this…" I hissed under my breath, clicking my tongue sharply. Why the fuck couldn't he hurry up? He's got a car, doesn't he? So why wasn't he here yet? "Sirches, I swear, if you keep me waiting any longer, we're done…"

But the moment the words left my lips, I swallowed hard, knowing I couldn't afford to follow through. I needed Sirches to maintain my status. My brother was set to inherit everything—the title, the wealth—while I'd be left with nothing but the clothes on my back. But Sirches? He was the heir to a viscount, and marrying him meant I'd keep my title and become a viscountess.

So, for now, I had to put up with him.

But God, did I wish I could have found a better man. Someone like the owner of Leonamon. Not only did he have money, but he had a face that could make you forget to breathe. Sure, he came from a commoner background, but he was still rich enough to make up for it. And with the way he carried himself, practically radiating sex appeal, I bet he'd be incredible in bed.

Anyone who got to experience that, I'd definitely be jealous.

Oh, speak of the devil—there he was now, striding down the hallway with a few women on either side. The two clinging to one side of him were absolutely breathtaking. I didn't think women like that even existed outside of fantasies. Even the princess wouldn't be able to hold a candle next to them. No, it wasn't just about how beautiful they were—because the princess had that too. But these two?

They exuded an intoxicating, sultry energy, dripping with an erotic aura that demanded attention. The princess? She was like a pale imitation, a mere shadow in comparison.

On his other side was a woman wearing a dress that looked like something straight out of a storybook. The fabric shimmered with every step she took, and the makeup accentuated her features to near perfection. She couldn't quite match the raw sensuality of the other two, but her elegance made her stand out just as much.

There wasn't a hint of sexual allure coming off her, but she had this magnetic pull that made it impossible not to look her way.

And on his other side... was a woman dressed in a gown that looked like it had been spun from dreams, the fabric shimmering like liquid silver under the soft lights. It was the kind of dress that whispered of fairytales and royalty. She didn't have the raw, almost predatory allure of the two clinging to him, but the elegance of her dress and the perfection of her makeup demanded attention.

There wasn't an ounce of sexual energy radiating from her, yet there was a magnetic pull, like she was made to be watched, admired, envied.

"Who is she?" one voice muttered, barely containing their awe.

"Who knows? Might be some foreign princess or something," another voice mused, just as captivated.

"That dress is breathtaking. How much would that even cost?" someone else asked.

"More than anything I've ever seen, that's for sure," came the reply.

From the way everyone stared, they all had the same thought—this woman could only be royalty.

But I saw something no one else did. From the moment she walked into the room, it hit me like a slap in the face.

"Kayla, isn't she stunning? I'm jealous, honestly. Wish I had a rich guy like that with me..." one of my companions murmured, her voice barely hiding her longing.

"Yeah, even my boyfriend, and he's got money, couldn't make me look like that," the other added, a note of bitterness creeping in.

I turned to both of them, my irritation bubbling hot under the surface.

"Have you two seriously not noticed?" I asked.

They looked at me, confusion clear in their expressions.

"Noticed what?" one of them asked, genuinely clueless.

"That's Ella," I hissed.

Their eyes widened, shock rippling across their faces.

"Really?!"

"Yes!" I snapped.

I knew it. Even though she looked completely different now, it was her—Ella. I had bullied her enough to have her face etched permanently in my mind. There was no way I'd mistake her for anyone else. It was definitely her.

But what the fuck was she doing with the owner of Leonamon?

Ella's eyes flicked in our direction, locking onto mine for a moment. My breath caught in my chest, but she quickly turned away, dismissing me as if I was nothing. What the hell was that about? The way she carried herself now... It was like she wasn't even the same Ella I remembered. What the fuck happened to her?