Chapter 246: Celebration Party (2)

Vroom.

A luxurious limousine, like those seen in Hollywood, glided along the ashen pavement in the dense web of roads that stretched across Seoul.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

She hummed in delight. “

Hmm, hmmmm, hmm~

”

Even the ultra-premium leather seats, worth hundreds of millions of won, couldn’t compare to the comfort and contentment lifting her mood. Perhaps it was because she had been swaying with the rhythm of her hum.

The maid seated beside her, helping with her makeup, apologized nervously as she corrected the smudged eyeliner. “Oh! I’m sorry, miss.”

“It’s okay. Sorry, I moved all of a sudden.” Isabella, humming excitedly like an elementary school girl the day before a field trip, sweetly smiled at the maid.

The old man driving the limousine, Roberto, glanced at the rearview mirror. “You seem cheerful today. You’ve been out of sorts for the past few weeks.”

“Well, that’s because I’ve finally dealt with some long-delayed business.”

When Kwon Oh-Jin had barely escaped from the Demonic District, Isabella realized that she needed to rebuild the Colgrande Family’s power, which she had momentarily neglected for a while.

I need enough power so I’ll be able to help Mr. Oh-Jin when he’s in trouble.

Despite Kwon Oh-Jin’s exceptional skills, he didn’t belong to any particular force. While this gave him freedom to do whatever he wanted, it also meant he lacked a reliable support system in emergencies. Sure, the association existed, but it was ultimately a government organization and not a personal force devoted to Kwon Oh-Jin.

To become the hands and feet that could support him, Isabella had returned to the Colgrande Family that she had long overlooked.

***

It only took a few weeks to gather the scattered family members who had dispersed after their clash with the Celestial Boat Star, Damian Salvatore. This was only possible due to Isabella’s immense focus on the job. She hadn’t contacted Kwon Oh-Jin even after hearing that he had joined the Seven Stars.

Roberto mischievously smiled, which looked unusual for such a dignified old man. “

Hmm

. Is that really the only reason you’re in such a good mood?”

“What are you trying to say?” Isabella asked.

“

Haha

, nothing. You just reminded me of when I first met my wife.”

“Focus on driving, Roberto.”

Isabella instantly shut him down just as he was about to launch into a long tale that began with, “Back in my days...” She looked out the window and calmed her fluttering heart.

The maid sitting beside her, Melissa, looked at Isabella with a troubled expression. “By the way, miss...”

Even amid her tough duties, Isabella’s beauty remained so breathtaking that even Melissa found herself momentarily stunned.

“Are you really okay with wearing that?” Melissa asked.

The outfit didn’t match Isabella’s noble appearance at all. She wore a classic maid uniform, something even actual house maids barely wore these days.

“

Haha

. He liked this outfit before.” Isabella leaned back into her seat with a relaxed smile and gently ran her fingers along the slight cleavage that peeked through the outfit. “Mr. Oh-Jin has completely fallen for me. You could say I’m giving a little reward to a loyal pet.”

“

Ah!

So you’re praising him!”

“Exactly. I may be dressed like this, but I'm definitely the master in the relationship.” Isabella raised her chin proudly.

Of course, she was the one who was head-over-heels for him. However, she had to slightly exaggerate in front of her subordinates to maintain her queen-like dignity.

Melissa’s eyes sparkled as she clenched her fists in admiration. “As expected of you, Miss Isabella!”

Basking in that reverent gaze, Isabella’s pride swelled even more.

“

Hehe

. Understand this, Melissa. In love, control is everything. The trick is to make the other person love you even more. To make them feel like they can’t survive a single day without you. That’s what it means to have the upper hand in love.”

“So this maid outfit is...?”

“Men are simple creatures who love to think they’re in control. In reality, they’re just dancing in the palm of your hand.”

“Wow.” Melissa gasped softly and nodded enthusiastically.

No other outfit was as perfect as a maid uniform to give someone the illusion that they were in control.

“Then, the Thunder Wolf—”

“Alkaid.”

“Sorry?”

“He’s not the Thunder Wolf anymore. He’s called Alkaid now. You heard that he joined the Seven Stars, right?” Isabella excitedly asked like a housewife bragging about her husband’s promotion at a neighborhood gathering.

“Mr. Oh-Jin didn’t just make it in. He beat out the top talents from all over the world! There was Namgung Hui from the Namgung Family, which is basically the best family in China. There was also Jason Hardy from the U.S. and even Orlando Vale from the U.K., who they call the Divine Archer. He beat all of them to become a Seven Stars! And he’s not even a high-ranking Awakener yet! Isn’t that incredible, Melissa?”

“

Uh...

y-yeah.”

“On top of that, rumor has it that the title Alkaid is only given to the strongest of the Seven Stars. That just shows how many Celestials have recognized Mr. Oh-Jin’s talent and potential!” Isabella gushed on like a bomber in full release.

Melissa couldn’t help but scoot away slightly with a faintly overwhelmed look.

“Anyway, Alkaid—”

“Melissa?”

“Yes?”

“You need to add, ‘sir,’ right?”

Isabella sweetly smiled, but a glint of murderous aura hid behind her icy blue eyes.

Melissa flinched and nodded like a woodpecker hammering into a tree.

Isabella, clearly pleased, patted Melissa’s head. “So, what were you trying to say just now?”

“I was just wondering... Does that mean you and Sir Alkaid are officially a couple?”

Isabella’s smile stiffened. For a second, her eyes darted away as she brushed her hair back.

“O-Of course, you could say we’ve already promised each other our future. Not that I pushed for it or anything. It was more like he kept begging me to make it official,” Isabella said as casually as she could. “He’s so obsessed with me, he even asked me to drink his blood first, you know?”

Well, that part was technically true since he did ask her first.

“What?! H-He asked you to drink his blood?”

Melissa knew full well what that meant, especially as someone who shared the same Stigma of Leech as Isabella.

“Yes, and he knew full well it would make his soul bound to mine.” Isabella smiled and crossed her legs, shrugging her shoulders with deliberate grace.

Melissa looked at her enviously. “Do you think I can ever be like that and have a man completely wrapped around my finger?”

Isabella gently stroked Melissa’s cheek with a smile. “Oh, of course, Melissa. You’re so cute.”

With her freckled cheeks and shoulder-length chestnut hair, Melissa possessed a sweet country-girl charm. Among Isabella’s attendants, she looked rather pretty.

“Being cute isn’t enough to be like you, Miss Isabella.” Melissa pouted, her lips jutting out in an adorable little sulk.

Isabella chuckled softly and looked out the window again. She could see Kwon Oh-Jin’s apartment building in the distance. Her heart began to pound, not from the thirst for blood, but from something far more fiery.

Thump, thump.

“

Haa

.”

As the limousine cruised at eighty kilometers an hour, it somehow felt like a sluggish turtle crawling through molasses.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Thank you, Roberto.”

Roberto opened the door, and Isabella stepped out.

A stunning woman in a maid uniform emerged from a luxury limousine. It was enough to stop people in their tracks, but Isabella walked toward the apartment without even glancing at the stares.

“I’ll escort you to the door,” Roberto said.

“No need. I’ll go up myself. You can head back now.”

“Yes, miss. I’ll wait at a nearby hotel.” Roberto bowed deeply and returned to the car.

Isabella excitedly stepped into the apartment elevator. In front of Kwon Oh-Jin’s door, she placed a hand over her rapidly beating chest and took a deep breath.

“

Ahem

.” She cleared her throat and pulled out a compact mirror to check her makeup.

Perfect

.

Melissa’s work looked flawless as always. Satisfied, Isabella smiled seductively at her reflection.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Oh-Jin. Why the maid outfit?

Hehe,

well, I am your exclusive personal maid, aren’t I? Or maybe being just a maid isn’t enough for you anymore?”

Practicing her lines aloud in the hallway, Isabella imagined Kwon Oh-Jin’s stunned reaction. If Melissa saw this, she’d probably faint from sheer disbelief.

Alright. Just stick to the plan!

With her fists clenched in determination, Isabella flared with resolve. She gently opened the door only to be greeted by the two of them practically glued together from the early morning, clearly in the middle of some ridiculous display of affection.

“C’mon, what’s the big deal? It’s not like it wears out from being touched or anything!” Song Ha-Eun shouted.

“What the hell are you even saying?!” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.

Of course, Kwon Oh-Jin could argue that this was a display of affection. That was exactly how Isabella saw the two of them naked.

Her eyes turned ice cold, and the air in the apartment froze as a suffocating chill filled the room.

“What exactly are you two doing right now?” Isabella asked.

“

Uh...

”

“T-This isn’t what it looks like.”

The two froze in place.

Meanwhile, Isabella bit her lip in sheer frustration. She had been working day and night to rebuild the Colgrande Family’s power, holding back her longing to see Kwon Oh-Jin. Meanwhile, Song Ha-Eun had been here all cozy and sweet with him!

“That’s not fair, unnie...!”

All those carefully rehearsed lines at the door vanished from Isabella’s head as she stormed in and yanked Song Ha-Eun away from Kwon Oh-Jin.

“I wanted to be with Mr. Oh-Jin too!” Isabella wailed like a child crying after someone stole her toy.

In that moment, the queen who could control a man in the palm of her hand could no longer be seen.

***

“Feeling better now?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked Isabella.

After a brief quarrel, things had settled down.

Kwon Oh-Jin held out a warm cup of coffee to Isabella, who sat sulking with her knees hugged to her chest on the living room couch.

Isabella took a small sip and narrowed her eyes. “

Hmph

. Seems like you didn’t miss me one bit while I was gone, Mr. Oh-Jin?”

“Of course, I did.” Kwon Oh-Jin shook his head and sat beside her.

At first, having some alone time with Song Ha-Eun had been nice. Once a week had passed, he started to feel Isabella’s absence.

Man, this makes me feel like some scumbag juggling women.

Truthfully, maybe he was one, considering he knew how Isabella felt about him and still couldn’t bring himself to push her away. If he had to come up with an excuse, it was because Song Ha-Eun had permitted him to be with Isabella.

But that’s not the whole reason.

Kwon Oh-Jin bitterly looked down at his hands. He was holding on to too much, more than he should.

Isabella turned her head sharply, clearly still pouting. “Whatever.”

Not long afterward, she carefully turned to Kwon Oh-Jin as she scuffed the living room floor with her toe. “You really did think about me, right?”

“The place felt rather empty without you,” he said.

“

Hehe

. Even if you’re just saying that, it still makes me happy.” Isabella softly smiled.

Just moments ago, she had been boiling with rage. Now, a few words already made her feel like she was walking on clouds.

I am never telling Melissa about this.

With a sigh, Isabella stood up. She clapped as if shaking off the last of her gloominess and spun around to face Kwon Oh-Jin with a bright grin.

“By the way, Mr. Oh-Jin!”

“Yeah?”

“How are we doing your celebration party?”

“

Huh?

”

What party?

“A party to celebrate you becoming a Seven Star, obviously!”

The sparkle in Isabella’s eyes made her look like an overly excited newlywed who had just found out that her husband received a big promotion.