Chapter 230

The room plunged into stunned silence before erupting in gasps.

"Isabella Sinclair... is Alea?"

Nathaniel Prescott's mind reeled, his thoughts scattering like shattered glass. His body went numb, limbs heavy as if weighed down by the revelation.

Isabella was Alea.

She was the legendary icon of the jewelry world.

All this time, she had watched him humiliate himself—chasing after Alea, only to be rejected repeatedly. She must have been laughing at him this whole time.

Nathaniel's chest heaved, lips trembling. His eyes burned with fury—or was it disbelief? He couldn't tell which emotion was stronger.

"Isabella... you deceived me again. You actually deceived me again!"

She had unparalleled talent, yet she hid it from him flawlessly.

For three years of marriage, she had shed her legendary status and played the role of a dutiful wife, standing quietly by his side.

Why? Was this her way of mocking his ignorance?

His jaw clenched, fingers digging into his chest as if trying to stop his heart from splintering.

Is this amusing to you, Isabella? You were never honest with me. How dare you expect me to fall in love with you?

"Alea? Miss Sinclair is Alea? This is earth-shattering news!"

"It can't be fake, can it?"

"The necklace could be counterfeit, but the person can't! Liva is here—this is undeniable proof!"

The room, usually filled with composed elites, descended into chaos. Phones were whipped out, flashes blinding as they captured the living legend before them.

This was Alea in the flesh. They had to document this moment—otherwise, what was the point of attending tonight?

Alexander Kingsley watched as Isabella stood at the center of the storm, radiant as a celestial body, and a smirk tugged at his lips.

No other woman could electrify him like this.

Only Isabella made love feel less like a farce and more like something worth pursuing.

But the crowd was growing unruly.

People pressed closer, desperate to touch the goddess in their midst.

Alexander's smile vanished. He stood, ready to intervene—

Then a cold gust of wind brushed past him.

Nathaniel was already moving, shoving through the throng with single-minded determination.

Alexander's fingers curled into fists, his gaze sharp as a blade. He wanted to tear Nathaniel apart.

Isabella blinked in surprise as Nathaniel appeared before her, shielding her from the encroaching crowd.

"What are you doing?" she asked, voice icy.

"Too many people. You could get hurt," Nathaniel replied casually, still facing away.

"Olivia is right behind me, and The Regal Palace's security is impeccable. They can handle this. You don’t need to play the hero."

She scoffed, unimpressed.

"Isabella, you tricked me again."

Nathaniel finally turned, his gaze heavy, voice low enough for only her to hear.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

A mocking glint lit her eyes. "Bitter about being fooled? Don’t worry—you’ll get used to it."

Nathaniel inhaled sharply, suppressing the urge to cough.

She had infuriated him.

The chaos finally subsided as Olivia dispatched security to restore order.

"Oh my God... you're Alea? How could you be...?"

Adelaide approached, hands covering her mouth, tears welling in her eyes.

"I never hid my identity intentionally. Titles mean nothing to me—I simply love designing jewelry and prefer to stay out of the spotlight." Isabella's tone remained gentle. "I know you admire my work, and I’m honored."

Her grace was breathtaking.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Sinclair—no, Miss Alea. Please forgive my past rudeness!"

Adelaide was consumed by regret, throat tight with shame. Remembering her previous coldness, she wished she could claw her own eyes out.

How could I have been so blind?

"I am Alea, but I’m also the general manager of The Regal Palace. My other identity doesn’t excuse the hotel’s failure in confidentiality. I’ve never blamed you, and you needn’t punish yourself."

At this moment, Isabella was a mirror—forcing Elspeth and her daughter to face their own deceit.

"Whispering Waters Jewels is one of Alea’s rarest private pieces, never displayed publicly. Aside from Alea herself, no one else in the world owns it."

Liva’s piercing gaze locked onto Glynnis. "So there’s no doubt—the necklace Glynnis gifted you is a counterfeit."

"Daring to replicate Alea’s work is a severe violation of her intellectual property. Every piece is heavily insured."

Her voice turned lethal.

"The consequences you’ll face, Glynnis, should be familiar—given your expertise in this field."