CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51 RING OF LIGHT!

Isabella was truly shocked by how much Leonardo had changed tonight. He was still cold, still unreadable but something about the way he stood by her side... protected her... noticed her even when she didn’t speak... it was different.

When the music started and the emcee announced the dance segment of the evening, the crowd slowly moved toward the center of the hall where the dance floor was lit up in soft golden hues.

"Leo! Will you dance with me?" Alexa asked sweetly, her smile confident, expecting him to accept like it was the most natural thing.

But Leonardo didn’t even look her way.

Instead, he extended his hand to Isabella.

"Come."

Isabella blinked, confused. "H-huh?"

Before she could react properly, his hand had already reached her. She hesitated for a second, glancing at Alexa, whose face had stiffened in disbelief. Then back at Leonardo.

When her hand touched his, his fingers wrapped around hers firmly, and he pulled her gently to the dance floor.

"Hey... hey, wait," Isabella whispered quickly, trying to resist a little as they reached the center. "I don’t know how to dance..."

Leonardo looked at her, finally giving her a small, cold smile.

"Then just follow me."

And without waiting, he placed her hand on his shoulder and gently took her waist.

The music played softly in the background, and under the warm lights, surrounded by elite guests in luxurious gowns and suits, Isabella found herself in the middle of a dream-like moment dancing with the cold mafia husband she thought hated her... while Alexa stood frozen at the edge, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Jay didn’t waste a second. He sneakily lifted his phone again and recorded the moment–his cold brother dancing with his shy little sister-in-law. From afar, it looked romantic. Dreamy, even. Leonardo’s hand on her waist, her dress flowing with the rhythm, the two moving in sync under golden lights. A perfect scene. Jay posted it immediately with the caption:

#MarriedButFalling

But if only they knew what was really going on between the couple on the dance floor.

Leonardo’s face looked calm to others. Even a bit warm. But Isabella, standing that close, could see the truth behind the mask. His eyes were cold. So cold. Like the kind of winter that burns your skin.

"Leo..." she called hesitantly. She didn’t know what to call him—she had never spoken to him properly before.

But his smile was sharp when he replied, "Don’t call me Leo."

Her breath hitched.

"Call me sir when we’re alone."

Before she could react, he pulled her closer by the waist, his touch firm. His hand brushed against the back of her dress, making her flinch slightly. It wasn’t exactly harsh, but it was enough to make her feel exposed.

"Don’t..." she muttered, glancing away, heart racing.

But his voice lowered, dark and biting.

"Oh? Now you’re uncomfortable?" he said, jaw tightening as his fingers pressed into her lower back. "Then why were you so comfortable telling my mother that I haven’t touched you? That I haven’t given you attention?"

Isabella’s eyes widened. Her heart dropped.

"I-I didn’t—"

But he didn’t let her finish.

His eyes flared as he stared at her. His mother had cornered him today, scolded him for being a ’cold husband,’ for not caring about his wife, for not acting like a real man. She’d said things that burned his pride, and now, in this moment, all of that frustration poured onto the girl in front of him.

Isabella’s chest ached. She really hadn’t said anything like that.

And seeing how coldly he looked at her hurt more than anything else.

And yet... she couldn’t move away.

Because now, his face was too close. She could see every line of his jaw, the sharp cut of his cheekbones, the faint shadow on his throat. His lips were dangerously near hers. And he smelled so clean, like crisp cologne and something expensive.

She stared at him in a daze–confused, afraid, angry, and... somewhere deep inside, drawn to him.

Why did her heart beat like this near someone who clearly didn’t care for her?

Why did she feel like she was standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall?

And worst of all—

Why did part of her want to?

**

Leonardo’s eyes darkened as he watched her expression.

She was staring at him again softly, shyly, like the rest of them. Just like all the others. He could almost read the thought behind her gaze: He’s so handsome... so powerful...

His jaw clenched. His lips pressed into a line.

So she was the same, huh?

Just another girl who got pulled in by his face, his money, his name.

The chill in his body almost visible. The coldness he’d built over the years... it was the only armor that protected him from disappointment.

He hated women who pretended to be innocent and kind, only to chase his status later.

And right now, he couldn’t tell what Isabella really was.

After the dance, Jay teased her playfully, nudging her with his elbow.

"Oh ho~ You two were spinning like Cinderella and her cold prince," he grinned, clearly enjoying himself.

But Isabella only gave a faint tight smile. Her eyes didn’t sparkle the way they usually did when she was baking or when she talked about coding. This smile didn’t reach her heart. It was the smile of someone who was tired... unsure... and just trying to get through the night.

***

In auction hall

She sat down quietly beside Leonardo again as the grand auction finally began.

Their bidder number was 19.

The host began announcing rare art pieces and antiques one by one. Excitement buzzed in the air. Applause echoed, laughter circled among rich men and their glamorous partners.

But at Bidder Number 19’s table... silence.

Isabella’s heart thudded in her chest. She wasn’t used to such formal, luxurious events. The lights, the high society whispers, the constant eyes... they made her uncomfortable.

She peeked at Leonardo. He was scrolling through his phone again, not even looking at the stage.

As if none of this mattered.

Jay was seated at another table with Casper and Zion, casually sipping his drink while watching the event unfold. Alexa sat elegantly next to Alan, crossing her legs as she leaned in to whisper something into his ear. A soft chuckle escaped him as he nodded.

The lights went down a little as the next item was shown—a stunning Royal Mermaid Necklace. It sparkled under the dim light, made with a rare blue diamond set in delicate silver and pearl waves. The crowd whispered in amazement.

The auctioneer’s voice echoed, "Starting bid at 2 million!"

Alexa’s eyes gleamed like a predator spotting prey. She lightly touched Alan’s wrist and whispered, "I want that."

Without hesitation, Alan raised his paddle. "3 million," he called out confidently.

Another bidder raised. "4 million."

Alan didn’t even blink. "5 million."

The room hushed. The auctioneer gave a pause before declaring, "Sold! To Table 12."

A proud, satisfied smirk spread across Alexa’s face. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and glanced across the hall—right at Leonardo.

He was seated at his table, one arm resting on the chair, scrolling lazily through his phone, completely unbothered. He hadn’t even looked at the necklace. Hadn’t bid once. Hadn’t bought Isabella a single thing.

Alexa’s lips curled upward in mock amusement. Look at him... not even pretending to care.

She glanced at Isabella. The girl sat quietly beside Leonardo, her hands folded neatly on her lap. Her eyes drifted to the mermaid necklace being packed and handed over. She said nothing but a faint shadow crossed her expression for a moment.

Most of the items tonight were antique jewelry, the kind that would make any woman’s heart flutter. But Isabella didn’t say a word.

She only lowered her eyes... and smiled softly to herself, hiding the lump in her throat.

Isabella hadn’t paid much attention to the auction after that. The laughter, the loud bids, the glittering jewelry—none of it meant anything to her. She quietly watched the hall, occasionally glancing at Leonardo, who still seemed lost in his own world, tapping something on his phone.

Until...

"The next item up for bid—The Ring of Light!" the auctioneer announced, his voice echoing proudly through the grand hall. "It was discovered recently by the Orzer Organisation during a private excavation. A truly unique piece. The jewel sparkles only in complete darkness... and it bears a mysterious engraving—the letter I."

Isabella’s body froze. Her breath caught.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as the velvet box was lifted and shown to the audience. Inside lay a small, delicate ring—thin gold band, gentle curves, and the same secret detail she remembered...

Under the dark spotlight, the tiny "I" shimmered softly like a hidden memory brought back to life.

She lost this ring a year ago. She didn’t know where it went, it was the only memory she had left of her father.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the edge of the table, heart pounding wildly.

Her father... He made this ring. He made it when she was just a child.

He used to say it was a silly joke—"When you grow up, Bell, this will be your engagement ring. No diamonds. Just your initial and a little light."

She thought it was lost forever...

But now here it was. In a glass box. On display for strangers to buy.

Her throat tightened as tears quietly welled in her eyes. Her lips parted to say something, but then She looked at Leonardo.

He was seated right beside her, stone-faced, eyes still fixed on his phone screen like the world around him didn’t exist.

She wanted to tell him.

She wanted to shout, "That ring—it’s mine."

But the words never left her lips. He won’t care. He’ll say I’m being dramatic.

She looked down at her lap. Her hand was clenched into a soft fist.

"Starting bid: One million."

Her head snapped up.

One million...