Episode 7: The First Rumors
421 Words
The next morning, Isabella arrived at the Grand Royale Hotel feeling happier than she had in years.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the night before.
Alexander had been kind, respectful, and nothing like the cold billionaire everyone talked about.
As she walked into the staff room, she noticed everyone staring at her.
Emma rushed over.
“Isabella! Is it true?”
“What?”
“You went to Mr. Kingston’s charity dinner!”
Isabella smiled awkwardly.
“Yes… he invited me.”
The room fell silent.
One of the employees whispered,
“She’s so lucky.”
Another rolled her eyes.
“Lucky? She’s probably trying to get his attention.”
Isabella pretended not to hear them.
She picked up her things and headed to work.
Meanwhile, at Kingston Group Headquarters…
Alexander was in a meeting with his board of directors.
One of the directors slid a newspaper across the table.
On the front page was a photo of Alexander dancing with Isabella.
The headline read:
“Who Is the Mystery Woman Beside Billionaire CEO Alexander Kingston?”
The room became quiet.
One director finally spoke.
“Sir… the media is already asking questions.”
Alexander glanced at the newspaper before pushing it aside.
“My private life is none of their business.”
“But the shareholders—”
“They’ll survive.”
Daniel smiled to himself.
It was the first time Alexander had ever ignored gossip instead of shutting it down immediately.
Back at the hotel, Isabella was arranging flowers in the lobby when someone called her name.
“Miss Carter.”
She turned around.
Daniel stood there with a polite smile.
“Good morning.”
“Mr. Kingston would like to invite you to lunch.”
“Lunch?”
“Yes.”
She looked surprised.
“Today?”
Daniel nodded.
“If you’re available.”
Before Isabella could answer, another voice interrupted.
“I believe she’s working.”
Victoria Langford walked toward them with a confident smile.
She looked at Isabella from head to toe before turning to Daniel.
“Tell Alexander I’ll be waiting for him.”
Daniel remained polite.
“I’m sorry, Miss Langford. Mr. Kingston specifically asked me to invite Miss Carter.”
Victoria’s smile disappeared for just a second.
She looked at Isabella.
“I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
Without waiting for a reply, she walked away.
Isabella watched her leave.
Something about Victoria’s words made her uneasy.
She had a feeling…
This was only the beginning of the trouble.
- Writer
