They arrived at the discreet wing of the hall reserved for high-profile meetings. The door opened quietly; inside, a long mahogany table glowed under soft warm lighting. Portraits of former university leaders and dignitaries lined the walls. Plush chairs, polished glasses on the table, low murmur of sophisticated conversation.
Bella and Kathy were led in by one of Mr. Stephen's trusted aides. Bella's heart felt steady; Kathy's was racing, but both kept calm. They were shown into seats facing several high-calibre guests: prominent professors, sponsors, board members, local politicians, and a few media personalities quietly observing from the corners.
Mr. Stephen stood tall and proud as the two girls entered the private lounge filled with powerful figures and respected guests. The air was thick with influence, senators, board members, respected alumni, and corporate sponsors, all seated comfortably in a setting that felt more like a closed-door summit than a celebration.
With a proud smile, Mr. Stephen took a step forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said confidently, "I'd like to introduce you to my daughter ,Bella."
Bella smiled gracefully as a few of the guests nodded in recognition, already having seen her face in the circulating photos and news.
"And this," he continued, placing a warm hand on Kathy's back, "is Kathy. She's Bella's closest friend, but in my house and in my heart, she's like a daughter to me."
The guests smiled, clearly impressed by the bond.
"Young women like these two are the future. They carry elegance, ambition, and a sense of responsibility this generation truly needs," he added, his voice resonating with both pride and purpose.
Kathy smiled shyly, touched by the recognition. "Thank you, sir," she said quietly.
One of the guests leaned toward Mr. Stephen and said with a chuckle, "You've raised more than one gem, it seems."
"She's family," he replied simply, looking at Kathy with the same fatherly expression he gave Bella.
From that moment, the room didn't see just two students , they saw legacy, mentorship, and class.
"These two young women have made me incredibly proud," Mr. Stephen continued. "They've shown excellence in their character and composure, and I brought them here so they can meet the faces behind the impact of this institution."
One of the senior professors nodded, eyes on Bella. "Your presentation today was admirable. You carry yourself well."
Kathy blushed slightly but stood tall. A senator leaned over to Mr. Stephen and whispered with a smile, "Your daughters carry your presence. People will talk."
The group chuckled lightly. Another guest, a well-known media personality, glanced at Bella. "Your name's already buzzing online, you're trending. People were shocked today."
Bella gave a composed smile. "We didn't expect all this attention. But we're grateful."
Mr. Stephen added, "They understand what it means to hold a name , and not just for show. Responsibility is part of it."
Small talk followed , questions about their studies, campus life, and how they balanced personal growth with public attention. The girls answered confidently. Bella spoke about her course, her passion for leadership and youth development. Kathy shared her interest in design and business.
They were soon ushered back to their seats at the private section, surrounded by influential personalities deep in conversation , senators, CEOs, foreign delegates, and top Lifetime College board members. The atmosphere felt exclusive, and Bella and Kathy exchanged glances, quietly amazed to be seated among such power. They listened quietly, soaking in every word, while Mr. Stephen occasionally glanced at them with pride.
Kathy leaned toward Bella and whispered, "Can you believe we're actually here?"
Bella smiled. "It feels unreal."
Just then, Bella's phone vibrated softly in her purse. She checked, it was a message from Justin:
"Hey baby, I'm almost leaving. Just wanted to let you know. Text me when you're free 🖤"
Bella smiled to herself and typed back quickly under the table:
"Alright love, I'll text you once we're done here. Safe drive 🖤"
She slipped the phone back and tried to refocus, but inside, she was glowing, between the surreal moment she was in, and knowing Justin was still thinking of her.
They focused fully on the meeting, listening as the respected figures discussed topics that shaped politics, education, and global business. It was a rare experience, and both Bella and Kathy soaked it all in, feeling like they had stepped into a world they'd only seen on TV.
About an hour later, the meeting came to an end. The sun was already setting, casting a golden glow across the campus. Outside the private section, the energy had shifted, media personalities lined the building, flashing cameras, trying to get exclusive shots of the big names in attendance.
The building was buzzing with conversations, laughter, and footsteps of some of the most powerful individuals in the country. Mr. Stephen stepped out, flanked by his guards, while Bella and Kathy followed closely. They carried themselves with grace, already used to the attention but still humbled by it.
As they approached the cars, one of Mr. Stephen's guards quickly opened the rear door of the lead car. Mr. Stephen gave both girls a proud look before entering his vehicle behind them. The girls entered the car in front, still glowing from the experience.
With the convoy now in full motion, engines humming softly, the luxury black vehicles slowly pulled away from the venue. The convoy glided smoothly through the college gates, turning heads as it drove off, back to Noble Hotel.
In the car, Bella leaned back into the soft leather seat, the quiet hum of the convoy easing her into a calm space. She brought out her phone and typed a quick message to Justin:
"We're on our way back to Noble now. I guess we'll see some other time. Take care, okay?"
A few seconds later, his reply came in:
"No problem, Bella. Just take care of yourself too. And enjoy every bit of it. You deserve it."
She smiled at his message, her heart warm. Kathy glanced at her with a teasing smirk but said nothing. The car continued its smooth ride through the evening glow of London, heading straight back to the luxury comfort of Noble Hotel.
Getting to Noble Hotel, the familiar luxury embraced them once again. As soon as the convoy pulled into the secured VIP entrance, staff and security personnel were already in place. The girls, along with Mr. Stephen, were led into the building with ease ,a silent wave of power and elegance trailing behind them.
They walked through the grand entrance, the marble floors gleaming under the lights, and were immediately guided to the private elevator. Two security guards entered first, scanning everything, before the rest of them followed. Bella stood beside her dad while Kathy was behind them, all quiet, soaking in the elite atmosphere again. It was all heavily guarded, private, and smooth.
Arriving at their private floor, they stepped into the lounge where everything was pristine. A light fragrance filled the air, a mix of sandalwood and expensive flowers. Mr. Stephen turned to the girls, "You both should go rest. I know today has been a long one."
Bella nodded, already stretching a little, and Kathy let out a soft tired laugh.
He added with a small smile, "By the way, I spoke with your departments, no classes for the rest of the week. You both can stay here at Noble until next Sunday. Relax, enjoy yourselves. You've earned it."
The girls gasped slightly in joy.
"Really?" Bella smiled wide.
"Yes," he said. "So go get some rest. I'll check on you later."
The girls thanked him warmly, then headed to their room as his guards escorted him to his private suite.