Chapter 52

The lobby of The Regal Palace buzzed with murmurs as guests craned their necks to witness the commotion.

"Madam, please compose yourself. A lady of your standing shouldn't cause such a scene in public. Let's discuss this privately in the conference room." The manager's voice trembled as he attempted to placate Natalia.

"So even VIP guests like me get robbed in your establishment? What does that say about your security?" Natalia's diamond-encrusted nails struck the marble counter with a sharp crack, her glare piercing through the trembling staff.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Some recognized her as the Vanderbilt heiress, though her current behavior resembled a common street brawler.

"I didn't take anything." The housekeeper's whisper was barely audible, her gaze fixed on the polished floor.

"How dare you lie to my face?" Natalia's manicured hand shot toward the girl's eyes, stopping millimeters short when the manager intervened.

"My sapphire necklace was on the vanity. Did it sprout wings and fly away?"

"I cleaned the suite, but other staff had access too." Though pale, the housekeeper held her ground.

"Are you accusing us?" One of Natalia's socialite friends gasped dramatically.

"Darling, we could buy your entire family with pocket change. Why would we steal?" Another sneered, examining her flawless manicure.

"I expected better from a Kingsley property. The service here is deplorable compared to Vanderbilt hotels." Natalia's smirk oozed condescension.

The manager's jaw tightened. The Regal Palace catered to elite clientele, and this was the first time in years he'd encountered such vulgar behavior.

"Natalia, you're slandering our reputation and harassing staff without proof. Is this how Vanderbilt heirs conduct themselves?"

The voice cut through the tension like chilled champagne - crisp, elegant, and commanding.

All eyes turned to the striking woman in a cream Valentino suit. Isabella entered with regal poise, her Louboutins clicking like a countdown to confrontation.

Natalia's entourage visibly recoiled.

"You?" Natalia's lip curled at the sight of her former sister-in-law. "What are you doing here?"

Isabella's ensemble - from her custom-tailored blazer to the Cartier earrings glittering at her lobes - screamed old money sophistication. The crowd admired her quietly, unaware she was the exiled Vanderbilt daughter.

Beside this vision of refined elegance, Natalia's gaudy designer ensemble looked cheap and desperate.

At that moment, Alexander and Daniel entered through the revolving doors.

Daniel gasped. "Mr. Kingsley! It's Isabella!"

His excitement faded when he noticed the crowd. "And Natalia's making a scene... should we intervene?"

Alexander's gut twisted at the sight of his ex-wife, but he held up a hand. "Wait. Let's observe."

The accused housekeeper burst into tears at Isabella's arrival. "Manager Sinclair, I swear I didn't—"

"Miss Sinclair now, is it? Do you miss being Mrs. Kingsley?" Natalia's barbed question hung in the air.

"Not particularly." Isabella's smile didn't reach her stormy eyes. "I find my current position far more... humanizing."

The words struck Alexander like a slap.

Humanizing? During their marriage, she'd wanted for nothing! The Kingsley name, unlimited credit, staff at her beck and call - how dare she act like some abused prisoner?

His jaw clenched. The woman before him - poised, commanding, radiating quiet authority - bore no resemblance to the meek wife he remembered.

"Natalia, since you claim your necklace is worth over $200,000, we're obligated to involve the police." Isabella's tone was all business. "The sooner we file a report, the better our chances of recovery. My staff and I will fully cooperate - security footage, personal searches, whatever's necessary."

Murmurs of approval spread through the crowd.

"Exactly! Let the professionals handle this!" someone called out.

"She probably just misplaced it," another guest muttered.

Natalia's composure cracked. "Calling the police is pointless! The thief's probably long gone!"

"I'm no thief!" The housekeeper shook with indignation.

Isabella remained unflappable. "Our surveillance covers every inch except restrooms and staff areas. I've already secured all relevant personnel. If theft occurred, the necklace is still on premises." She held up her phone. "And I've already notified authorities. They'll be here shortly. As for your demanded apology - if we're at fault, you'll have it."

The crowd murmured approval. Even Daniel looked impressed. "Isabella handles crises like a seasoned CEO!"

Alexander shot him a glare, though privately agreed. This confident, quick-thinking woman was a far cry from the timid spouse he'd divorced.

"Fine! You said it, not me!" Natalia spat.

"Of course. The Regal Palace takes responsibility for genuine grievances." Isabella's smile was ice-cold.

Just then, security arrived holding an evidence bag. "We found it! The missing necklace!"

The revelation sent shockwaves through the lobby.

Natalia and her friends froze, their smug expressions crumbling.