The Billionaire’s Regret -Alessa (by Bukolami) novel Chapter 77

**Shadows Beneath the Silent Moon**
**Rising Echoes by Aiden R. Vale**
**Chapter 77**

Alessa let out a scornful laugh, her eyes rolling with exaggerated flair as she sank into the plush embrace of the couch cushions. The room was filled with a tense energy, the kind that often accompanied discussions about social obligations.

“Alright, the guest list has been finalized and everyone has been assigned their roles…” she announced, her voice dripping with sarcasm, as if the very idea of it bored her to tears.

“No,” Tracy countered firmly, slicing through Alessa’s self-satisfied bravado like a knife through butter. Alessa turned her head sharply, her eyebrows arching in confusion.

“What do you mean, no?” she shot back, her tone laced with irritation, the challenge igniting a spark of defiance within her.

“You need to memorize the names of every family on that list,” Tracy explained, her tone serious and unwavering. “And you have to know what they look like because welcoming them is crucial. It’s a sign of respect, Alessa.” She observed as Alessa’s expression morphed into one of skepticism, doubt etched across her features.

“Respect? Seriously? I don’t see why I should care about any of them,” Alessa retorted, crossing her arms defiantly, her body language screaming rebellion.

“Well, it doesn’t matter what you want. You have to do it,” Tracy insisted, her voice steady, refusing to bend to Alessa’s dismissive attitude. Alessa groaned dramatically, flopping back against the couch as if the weight of the world had just been unceremoniously dumped onto her shoulders.

“By the way, what about you? Aren’t you inviting anyone?” Tracy asked, her curiosity piqued, a hint of concern threading through her voice.

“Nope,” Alessa replied curtly, the single word hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

“Really? Why not? What about your friends?” Tracy pressed, her brows knitting together in disbelief as Alessa sat up, a frown creasing her brow.

“Friends? I don’t have any friends,” she stated flatly, the admission slipping out as easily as a sigh, and Tracy’s eyes widened in shock.

“What? That can’t be true! You haven’t made even a single friend in six years?” Tracy questioned, her astonishment palpable, as if Alessa had just revealed a shocking secret.

“Hmm,” Alessa responded with a nonchalant nod, her expression unchanging, as if the truth were too mundane to warrant any further discussion.

“No way. You became a billionaire all by yourself? Not even one female friend? Or a male friend?” Tracy’s disbelief was evident, her voice rising incredulously, the absurdity of it all spilling out.

“Hmm,” Alessa murmured, biting her lip thoughtfully, her gaze drifting off into the distance as if searching for something lost.

“No,” she finally replied, shaking her head slowly as if the very idea was absurd, a notion so far removed from her reality.

“That’s just ridiculous,” Tracy scoffed, the incredulity in her voice ringing clear. Alessa simply shrugged, a casual response to the absurdity of her situation, a resigned acceptance of her solitude.

Just then, Aria burst into the living room, her cheeks smeared with cake, the remnants of her sugary indulgence decorating her hands as well. She ambled over to them, licking her fingers with a look of sheer delight, her innocence radiating joy.

“What’s going on?” Alessa asked, bracing herself for the inevitable whining that often accompanied Aria’s bursts of energy.

Aria withdrew her fingers from her mouth, ready to speak, but her attention was immediately captured by the list sprawled out on the table. Her curiosity ignited, she leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with interest.

“What’s this?” she inquired, her enthusiasm bubbling over as she approached the table.

“Oh, that’s just the list of all the boring people who will be attending the ball,” Alessa replied dismissively, rolling her eyes as if the very thought of it bored her.

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