Revenge of the Billionaire Heiress

Arabella

Arabella felt her before she saw her.

A hush of perfume, pointed heels, and the unmistakable smugness of someone who thought she was the main event.

Serena Moore.

"Arabella," Serena said, stepping into view in sheer black silk, smiling like a dagger. "Still playing the part of ice queen, I see."

Arabella turned, her expression effortless. "Serena. Still pretending your relevance wasn't bought in bulk."

Their history wasn't just rivalry. It was war disguised as civility. Both had sharpened their claws years ago and neither had dulled.

"I almost didn't recognize you in something so... demure," Serena said, eyeing Arabella's ivory gown with faux sweetness.

Arabella smiled. "I don't do showy looks for the occasions that matter. You, I assume, dress for the mirror."

Just then, Ava and Emily appeared on either side of her like clockwork, followed closely by Dorothy.

"Uh oh," Ava muttered, eyes flicking between the two. "Does it smell like desperation in here or is it just Dior and delusion?"

"Oh," Emily said sweetly. "I thought I smelled expired relevance."

Serena smirked. "Still hiding behind Bella's spotlight, girls?"

Emily stepped forward. "No, we just prefer the view up here."

Dorothy leaned in toward Arabella. "Should we thank her for keeping your old style alive? She's basically walking 2019."

"Relax, girls," Serena said with a chuckle. "I'm just saying hello to an old friend."

"I've had paper cuts that left better memories," Arabella replied.

" You know that necklace would look better in my collection," she murmured with a smirk. "Oh wait your boyfriend owns it. My mistake."

Arabella turned with a cold smile. "You're right. You should be used to not getting chosen."

Serena's smile froze.The better woman wouldn't need someone else to fight her battles or buy her jewels."

Serena gave one last sugary smile before slipping back into the crowd, leaving Arabella pissed.

Ava pulled at her hands, pay her no mind, she just jealous, you know she's always trying to compete with you.

Damn she's just so annoying, Emily muttered. "Preston should have just minded his own business and let you floor her proud ass. Always sticking his nose in the wrong things.

Ever the voice of reason, Dorothy tried to calm everyone down

Let's just forget everything and calm down, no matter the outcome, at least the money is going for a good course that's a good thing.

"Bella, forget about wannabe, no matter how much she tries she's always just going to be an unwanted lackey that tries to be noticed, so cheerful up let's enjoy the rest of the night.

Yeah babies, Emily shouts dragging attention of few guests to were they stood.

Come on guys, let's go back to our seats, I think Anna will soon announce the charities. Ava said pulling Arabella back to their seats.

The crowd settled again as Anna Wintour returned to the stage.

"This year's auction and private donations will benefit four causes very dear to me," she said, her voice stronger than ever:

"An advanced neonatal intensive care unit at New York Children's Hospital."

"Free breast and cervical cancer screenings for underserved communities."

"A mental health program for survivors of abuse."

The applause was long, sincere, and sweeping.

Arabella clapped with pride but her jaw stayed tight.

"And now, let's honor our most generous contributor this evening a donor who has chosen not to bid publicly, but instead offered a private gift earlier this week."

"Please thank Mr. Ashton Kingsley for his record-breaking personal donation of six million dollars to the Wintour Foundation."

All eyes turned.

Ashton sat near the back, silent, in elegance and detachment. No smile. No wave. Just a nod barely.

Preston's hand curled slightly into a fist beside her.

"He really couldn't help himself," he muttered.

Arabella said nothing.

You haven't said anything for a while,"It was getting a little heated. I figured I'd settle it for you."

Her voice was razor-thin. "I didn't need you to settle anything. I was winning."

"I was trying to help," he said, shrugging. "It's just a necklace."

Arabella stepped back, the fury tightly leashed behind her eyes. "It wasn't about the necklace. It was about the message. Now everyone thinks I backed down."

"You're seriously mad?"

"Can we please not do this?"

"You started it," Arabella replied with fury in her eyes "By finishing something you didn't understand." "I don't need you to clean up my fights. I need you to stop stepping into them without asking."

"Bella—"

"I'm not your PR campaign," she said. "I'm not your image. Don't ever do that again."

She turned away before she said something unforgivable. Maybe it was time for the relationship to come to an end.

If she thought about it, her feelings for him were no longer as intense as before, seemed as if she was holding onto past feelings.

She decided not to think about her relationship problems, she would sort it out in due time.For now she decided to enjoy the rest of the night with her girls.