CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49 AUCTION

When the artists entered her room, Isabella’s eyes lit up—not because she was excited to go out, but because she genuinely loved looking at their kits.

The shiny makeup boxes with their neat compartments, the colorful palettes, the rows of glossy lipsticks, the delicate brushes—all of it felt magical to her. Like an art studio for faces.

She sat on the stool, hugging her knees like a child, watching as they carefully unpacked their tools.

One of the makeup artists smiled. "You like these?"

Isabella nodded eagerly. "They’re so pretty. Like treasure chests."

Soon, the team got to work.

This time, they picked a deep red gown for her—elegant, Beautiful, and perfectly tailored. The color hugged her curves and made her skin glow softly under the light. Her hair was styled into a graceful bun, with a few delicate strands left loose to frame her soft face.

They kept her makeup gentle but striking glowing skin, lightly flushed cheeks, and a subtle shimmer on her eyelids that made her eyes look brighter. A sheer red gloss brought out her lips, making her look like someone who had walked right out of a romantic painting.

When they stepped back and handed her the mirror, Isabella blinked.

She looked... dreamy.

Gorgeous.

Leonardo was standing near the stairway, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo that hugged his broad frame with effortless elegance. His posture was straight, eyes fixed on the staircase as the sound of heels approached.

Coming down slowly, holding the railing with her delicate fingers, was Isabella. Wrapped in a deep red gown that shimmered like wine under light, her hair swept into an elegant bun, soft strands framing her glowing face.

She looked... stunning.

Jay, who had been casually checking his phone while fixing the collar of his tuxedo, looked up and his jaw nearly dropped.

"Princess Bella," he whistled, clearly impressed.

Isabella giggled shyly. "Thank you, Jay-Jay," she said sweetly, cheeks already pink from all the attention.

But the moment her eyes landed on him—on Leonardo, standing tall and composed, watching her with that unreadable look, her smile froze.

And so did her feet.

Her heart skipped a beat and not in the romantic way. She didn’t know if she should walk up to him, curtsy like royalty, or just run back up and change into her pajamas again.

Jay raised a brow and whispered dramatically, "Oh no..."

Isabella gave him a nervous glare and help me look, "Jay-Jay... save me."

But Jay just chuckled and took a step back like he was saying. "Nope. That’s all you, princess."

She bit her bottom lip, trying not to trip, trying not to tremble. But as she neared the last few steps and found him standing so close taller, colder, more unreadable than ever, her breath hitched.

"H-hi," she managed softly, her voice like a shy whisper.

Leonardo didn’t speak.

He simply looked at her for a second longer, then raised his hand halfway toward her.

Isabella froze.

"Hands," he said calmly and not taking no for an answer.

She hesitated a moment longer, then finally placed her hand in his.

Her small, soft fingers practically disappeared in his larger, firm grip. The contrast was almost ridiculous like a porcelain doll being held by stone. Her hand looked lost in his hands.

"Let’s go!" Jay called out cheerfully, adjusting his cuffs as he stepped ahead.

Leonardo didn’t say a word he just walked forward, still holding Isabella’s hand, and led her outside. The cold evening breeze brushed gently against her cheeks, but it wasn’t enough to calm the strange mix of nervousness and fear that had taken over her.

The black car was already waiting by the driveway.

Jay climbed into the front seat, tossing a playful wink over his shoulder. Isabella blinked, still slightly dazed, then reluctantly slid into the back seat beside the Devil himself—Leonardo.

The door closed with a soft click.

The car purred to life, and silence took over. Leonardo leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed out the opposite window, unreadable as always.

Isabella sat still, hands folded politely over the purse in her lap. She’d brought her tablet with her just in case she got bored but under Leonardo’s ice-cold presence, she didn’t dare pull it out. The last thing she wanted was him judging her for playing princess games or checking her hacker group messages.

So she just quietly leaned her head back against the seat, watching the trees and lights pass by outside.

Ten minutes...

Fifteen...

Twenty...

The rhythmic hum of the road, the soft rumble of the car, and the lull of passing scenery made her eyelids grow heavier. Before she knew it, her head tilted slightly to the side, her lashes fluttered and she dozed off quietly, her cheek resting gently near Leonardo’s shoulder.

Leonardo sat frozen as he felt a soft weight rest against his shoulder.

He glanced down.

Isabella was fast asleep, her face peaceful, her lips slightly parted, and her long lashes resting delicately against her cheeks. For a moment, he just... stared.

Are those real? he wondered, mildly surprised. Her eyelashes were so long, almost like feathers, curling naturally.

He didn’t push her away.

Didn’t move.

Just stayed there, letting her rest, letting her warmth lean against him without complaint.

Jay, sitting in the front seat, turned halfway and spoke casually, "Bro, you really should take little sister-in-law on a honeymoon or something. Do you know people were making fun of her? Especially that Alexa. She’s been telling everyone you don’t love your wife."

Leonardo’s face darkened immediately. His jaw clenched.

He didn’t like anyone talking behind his back.

He hated it even more when they talked about his Personal life.

He stared out the window, his gray eyes growing colder by the second. He didn’t respond, but he gave a slight nod.

Jay turned around again, satisfied.

Leonardo didn’t say a word.

But in his mind, a mental note had already been made that—

****

As the car pulled up to the grand venue, the soft purr of the engine stopped.

Inside, Isabella was still asleep, gently leaning against Leonardo’s arm like a quiet kitten. Her cheek rested near his shoulder, and her hands were folded over her lap. She looked so peaceful—so unaware of the chaos she usually caused in his head.

Leonardo glanced down at her.

He didn’t speak. Just lifted his hand and gently patted her cheek with two fingers.

"Wake up. We’re here," he said, his voice low and calm.

Isabella stirred, blinking slowly, her lashes fluttering like soft wings as she realized where she was. "Hmm?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.

Meanwhile, Jay who had been waiting for this moment—turned halfway from the front seat, pulled out his phone, and secretly recorded the whole thing.

Leonardo’s cold, unreadable face. Isabella’s sleepy, cute expression. His hand still lingering near her cheek.

Perfect.

Jay uploaded it instantly to his private story.

#LOVE-BIRDS

With a smirk, he hit post.

He knew Alexa and her social circle were watching.

Let them eat their hearts out.

The video Jay posted had just the right amount of magic.

The angle captured from the front seat was perfect—just moody enough. The interior of the car was dim, lit only by the soft glow of passing streetlights. Leonardo sat still and sharp in his dark suit, and beside him, Isabella, in her elegant red gown, was peacefully leaning on his shoulder.

The moment he patted her cheek gently to wake her... the way her lashes fluttered... the sleepy way she looked up at him—it all felt like a scene from a romance drama.

The hashtag #LOVE-BIRDS at the corner sealed the mood.

Within minutes, the story started getting views.

Back in the real world, however—

As Isabella fully woke and realized where she had just been sleeping, her eyes widened in horror. She stiffened like a startled kitten, her gaze snapping to Leonardo’s broad shoulder where her head had been resting moments ago.

She looked like she had fallen asleep on a dragon.

"Ah... I... I didn’t mean to—sleep—I just..." she stammered, trying to sit straighter, brushing down her dress nervously.

Leonardo didn’t say anything. He simply opened the door and stepped out, straightening his coat like nothing happened.

But behind them, Jay was smirking wide, already replying to comments under his story.

The valet opened Isabella’s door, but before she could react, Leonardo was already there.

Without a word, he extended his hand.

Isabella hesitated for a second, her cheeks still warm from the car nap embarrassment. But she placed her hand in his, letting him help her out. As soon as her heels touched the pavement, he gently let go, but not without glancing down at her once making sure she was steady.

Jay followed behind, adjusting the collar of his tux and tossing a playful wink toward the couple. "Don’t worry, I’m just the third wheel," he joked under his breath.

Isabella smiled nervously, still too flustered to respond.

They entered through the grand entrance of the venue—an elegant, chandelier-lit hall where velvet curtains draped the walls and golden candlelight flickered from ornate sconces. The event hadn’t officially begun yet, but people had already gathered. Gentle clinks of glasses, quiet conversations, and subtle orchestral music filled the air.

The auction would begin at 8:00 PM sharp.

For now, the grand hall was meant for socializing and flaunting status.

Men in tailored suits and women in sparkling gowns mingled in polite circles. All eyes subtly turned as Leonardo Moretti walked in with his young wife at his side and his notorious brother trailing behind like a walking tabloid headline.