Chapter 4 The Belle Effect

• The fact that Isabelle was in the ball was already a big step for her. She didn't know what the next step would be but she knew she had to do something. As her eyes kept going back to the mature-looking man by the other end of the room, she hoped he had enough money to help her.
• Her prayers got answered when the host took the microphone to introduce to the crowd one of the wealthiest bachelors in the city, it was none other than the man with cold brown eyes.
• "In our midst tonight, we have the presence of the CEO of the Joseph Conglomerate in the person of, Mr Maxton Joseph!" The host announced and every lady in attendance went wild in excitement as they all tried to catch his attention.
• Isabelle kept a straight face. She stole glances at him whenever he wasn't looking at her. She was searching for the right chance to slip towards him. Surely, the wealthy man would love to do some charity work —rich people adored it, or so she thought. Or how else was she going to make the rich man give her some money?
• "To close the dance floor, we are going to give Mr Maxton the honour of picking one lucky lady for a dance!" Again, the large hall shook as every single lady in the hall wanted to be chosen by the tall and handsome man that eluded strength.
• Isabelle suddenly felt goosebumps appear on the exposed parts of her arms as she felt everyone's eyes on her. She had been lost in her thoughts as she tried to figure out how she was going to make the man give her some money without blowing her cover when she felt it. Everyone was staring at her. The women had jealousy written all over them and the men simply looked curious. She turned her head in confusion wondering why they were staring at her when she realized the rich man was walking towards her.
• Oh my God!
• She screamed in her head as she tried to compose herself. Heaven must have been vouching for her for everything seemed to be working in her favour.
• The god of a man stopped in front of her. He didn't say anything but the strong aura flowing around him was enough to make her legs melt. He took another step and without warning. He slowly took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Giving another circumstance, Isabelle would have found the whole thing weird but she felt pulled by this man's strong aura.
• Maxton Joseph didn't know what had come over him as soon as his eyes had landed on the beautiful lady in blue. He was usually quite stuck up and focused most of his energy on his business. In fact, he had only attended the ball because it was important for his business. Now, as he danced with the most beautiful lady he had ever seen in his thirty-six years in life, he couldn't be more grateful that he had attended the party.
• The music was soft and perfect for the moment as Maxton felt caught up within her charms. It had been years since he had felt this kind of attraction with a woman. His entire body was aware of her presence. Her smooth skin felt flawless under his fingers as he held her in a gentle dance.
• Maxton wanted to add a name to the beautiful face, in front of him. Ever since she walked into the ball, he wanted to speak to her and he was going to do just that when the host had asked him to pick a lady for the last dance. It wasn't even hard for all he had to do was aim for the one that made his heart flutter.
• He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "What's your name?" His voice sounded like liquid fire and her body curled up around its echoes.
• "Belle," her beautiful voice whispered. "Belle Fairmont."
• He grinned for she came from a good family.
• "Belle," he repeated, loving the way the letters rolled off his tongue.
• Maxton wasn’t an actual romantic but this woman awoke some things in him he couldn't understand. He knew at once that he would tie her in his basement if he had to, just so that she could belong to him. He tightened his arms possessively around her waist, as they danced.
• Isabelle suddenly felt breathless, not because of the dance but because of the lies she had just said. The little plan she had come up with in her head was slowly becoming a reality. There was no going back now. As long as Maxton was concerned she was Belle Fairmont and she would remain until she had accomplished her mission.
• "You look pale, let's get you a drink," Maxton whispered into her ear. The hot air from his mouth created even more goosebumps on her hands.
• She nodded in agreement and he took her hand to the little sitting area. The dance floor was already getting crowded and he felt like he had made her stand for too long, which wasn't proper.
• Like a true gentleman, he pulled a chair for her and waited until she sat down before he took one for himself.
• "Miss Fairmont, what do you do for a living?" He asked her as he signalled to the waiter to bring them something.
• "Oh, please call me Belle," Isabelle said smoothly as she stalled for the perfect answer. The lady at the club back in LA didn't look like she did anything major aside from going around with her friends.
• "Belle, it is then," Maxton replied raising his glass to her. There was something about her that excited every muscle in his body. She had this youthful charm that drove him crazy.
• "I am a CEO like you..." She trailed off with a little laugh and it passed as shyness. "I help out my father when I can but for now, I am trying to find my own space, you know... something I am comfortable with," she finally added.
• Maxton nodded in understanding. He knew the Fairmont were based in LA but her reply meant she might be able to stick around for a while —which was good for him.
• "Good, I will be seeing your face around the city for a while," He said confidently.
• Isabelle took a sip of the wine in front of her and nodded, "of course."