Chapter 261

It was an evening at the Vermont Club-a sanctuary reserved exclusively for those who held Vermont's true reins of power.

In the lavish hall, beneath chandeliers that scattered golden light, people sipped cocktails, pretending to enjoy the music while secretly plotting their next move, scheming how to slice the largest portion from the governor's pie.

Bella Kane slumped onto the velvet sofa, chin resting listlessly in Her palms.

In front of her, a lively group of youths laughed and sang, their voles echoing mockingly around her indifferent ears.

Across the room, grey-haired power brokers exchanged cunning whispers, eyes narrowed with hidden agendas.

“Bella,” Scarlett sighed impatiently from beside her, "your father asked you to charm Kelly Kingston on behalf of the Kane family. So why are you sulking here like a deflated balloon?"

Scarlett's voice was tinged with irritation and bewilderment.

Ever since recovering from her illness, Bella had transformed from the fierce rock-and-roll queen into some frail, pink-tinged princess-a shift that left everyone baffled.

"Maybe I'm just not fully recovered yet," Bella mumbled lazily.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed skeptically. "Really?"

“Bella, tell me something," interjected Shane abruptly, flashing a grin as sharp as

a razor.

"Are you absolutely sure your father has washed his hands of the governor race?" Bella's patience snapped like a frayed string.

"Damn it, Shane, I've answered this a hundred bloody times! The Ranes are done with politics-we just want to enjoy our peaceful business life. Manipulate the world however you please; we couldn't care less."

"Perfect," Shane smirked with open relief. "Since Kelly Kingston is young, single, and available, maybe I should aim straight for her bedroom, eh?"

Bella scoffed bitterly. "Dream on, Shane. Kelly Kingston isn't a prize you can claim. She's the governor-mess with her and your sorry existence could end quicker than your pathetic love affairs."

a hint

a way. Love's a battlefield, Bella, and my family's fortune stands

of every

else but me could capture

feelings? Please, Shane," Bella sneered

weather changes. Once Kelly learns about your sordid online scandals,

face flushed crimson. "Careful, Bella!

flared dangerously. Her wild

do you think you're fooling-the media or your latest actress fling? Want me to end your little charade

fell silent instantly, all eyes widening with shock

Bella's viciousness in her recent subdued days, but tonight her old

further as the hall's grand doors swung

1/3

Chapter 261

Kingston, draped in luxurious elegance, and

up abruptly, her entire demeanor shifting to an embarrassingly soft glow,

turned heads in

are you

and everyone else blinked, stunned by Bella's sudden transformation, their eyes shifting warily toward

the wild, fiery woman now tamed into a blushing, sweet

glided toward Alex, her eyes shyly cast

her voice trembling like

Alex was genuinely startled, his expression perplexed "Didn't expect to see you here." "Bella Kane," Kelly interjected coldly, eyebrow arched with icy curiosity, "you two know each other?" Four days ago, Alex saved

a silent blade

said quickly, voice tense, "I've been trying to secure Heaven Root from the

like fate had bigger plans," Kelly replied, her

tightened her grip on Alex's arm, her smile radiant. "Exactly! Fate brought us back

said, her words cutting like ice behind a brittle smile. Just then, Shane jumped in, his tone overly eager as he poured her a glass of juice. "Miss Kingston! You're

Alex, hostility darkening his eyes.

Shane's pride couldn't stomach,

green.

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