The Woman Who Dared

The entire mansion fell silent.

Sophia Blake stood in front of Emily with a cold smile on her face.

Her expensive red dress and diamond necklace made it obvious that she belonged to the rich world.

But the anger in her eyes was terrifying.

She slowly looked Emily up and down.

Her lips curled with disgust.

"So this is the girl?" she said mockingly.

"A poor, wet, pathetic girl from the streets."

Emily felt embarrassed, but she forced herself to stay calm.

"I didn’t come here to fight," Emily said quietly.

Sophia suddenly laughed.

"You think this is a fight?"

Her expression turned dark.

"This is humiliation."

She took one step closer to Emily.

"You have no idea whose place you just tried to steal."

Emily clenched her fists.

"I didn't steal anything."

Sophia’s eyes flashed with anger.

"Alexander was supposed to marry me!"

The servants around them looked down nervously.

Everyone in the city knew about Sophia Blake.

She was rich.

Powerful.

And extremely dangerous.

Sophia suddenly raised her hand…

And SLAP!

Emily’s face turned to the side.

The sound echoed across the hall.

No one dared to move.

Sophia smirked proudly.

"That's what happens when poor girls dream too big."

Emily slowly touched her cheek.

Her eyes started filling with tears.

But before Sophia could say anything else…

A deep voice suddenly cut through the silence.

"That's enough."

Everyone froze.

Alexander Knight stood a few steps away, his expression colder than ice.

Sophia quickly turned toward him.

"Alexander! You saw what happened!"

Her voice immediately became soft and sweet.

"This girl is trying to trap you!"

Alexander didn’t react.

His cold eyes slowly moved toward Emily.

Her cheek was red from the slap.

For a moment, the entire hall held its breath.

Then Alexander walked forward.

Sophia smiled confidently.

She believed Alexander would take her side.

But the next second…

Alexander walked past Sophia.

And stopped in front of Emily.

His voice was calm.

"Did she hit you?"

Emily looked down.

"I… it's okay."

Sophia laughed.

"Of course I hit her! She deserved—"

Before she could finish her sentence…

Alexander suddenly spoke again.

But this time his voice was dangerously cold.

"Sophia."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Sophia blinked.

"Yes?"

Alexander looked at her with complete indifference.

"You just slapped my wife."

The words echoed across the hall.

Sophia’s smile disappeared instantly.

"W-wife?"

Alexander calmly took Emily’s hand.

His grip was strong and possessive.

"Emily Carter."

"Tomorrow she will become Mrs. Emily Knight."

The servants gasped softly.

Sophia’s face turned pale.

"You can't be serious!"

Her voice became hysterical.

"You can't marry someone like her!"

Alexander’s eyes turned dark.

"I can marry whoever I want."

Sophia shook her head in disbelief.

"You'll regret this!"

Alexander's expression didn’t change.

"Guards."

Two security guards immediately stepped forward.

"Escort Miss Blake out."

Sophia looked shocked.

"You’re kicking me out?!"

Alexander didn’t even look at her.

"Immediately."

Sophia screamed in anger.

"This isn't over, Alexander!"

Then she pointed at Emily with hatred in her eyes.

"And you…"

Her voice was full of venom.

"I promise…"

"I will destroy your life."

The guards dragged her out while she kept shouting.

The giant doors closed behind her.

Silence returned to the mansion.

Emily’s heart was still racing.

She slowly looked up at Alexander.

"Why… did you defend me?"

Alexander released her hand calmly.

His expression returned to normal.

"I didn't."

Emily blinked in confusion.

"You didn't?"

Alexander adjusted his cufflinks.

"I only protected my reputation."

Emily felt slightly hurt.

"Oh."

Alexander looked at her again.

"From now on…"

"You represent the Knight family."

He paused for a moment.

"And tomorrow…"

"the entire world will know that Emily Carter married Alexander Knight."

Emily’s heart pounded loudly.

Her life was about to change forever.

But she had no idea…

That outside the mansion gates…

Sophia Blake was sitting inside her car with a terrifying smile on her face.

She picked up her phone.

And dialed a number.

The call connected.

Sophia’s voice became cold and dangerous.

"It's time to start the plan."

The man on the other side asked quietly,

"What plan?"

Sophia’s smile grew darker.

"The plan to destroy Emily Carter.”

The Wedding Announcement

Emily hardly slept that night.

The huge room inside Knight Mansion felt unreal.

Soft golden lights, expensive furniture, a king-size bed bigger than her entire old apartment.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the window.

"Tomorrow… I'm getting married to a billionaire," she whispered to herself.

Everything felt like a dream.

Or maybe a nightmare.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Emily opened it.

Two maids stood outside.

They bowed politely.

"Good morning, Miss Carter."

Emily looked confused.

"Morning?"

One of the maids smiled.

"Mr. Knight asked us to prepare you for the wedding."

Emily’s eyes widened.

"The wedding is today?"

"Yes."

Her heart began racing again.

The maids brought a large white box inside the room.

When they opened it…

Emily gasped.

Inside was the most beautiful wedding dress she had ever seen.

Pure white silk.

Covered with tiny diamonds that sparkled like stars.

Emily touched the dress carefully.

"This must cost a fortune…"

One maid replied proudly,

"Everything Mr. Knight buys costs a fortune."

Meanwhile…

Inside the Knight Group headquarters.

Alexander Knight stood in his office, looking down at the city through the glass window.

His assistant, Daniel, stood behind him.

"Sir, the media is going crazy."

Alexander didn't turn around.

"Why?"

Daniel cleared his throat.

"You announced your wedding overnight."

Alexander spoke calmly.

"Yes."

Daniel hesitated.

"And they are asking one question."

Alexander finally turned.

"What question?"

Daniel sighed.

"Who is Emily Carter?"

Alexander’s eyes darkened slightly.

"She is my wife."

Back at Knight Mansion

Emily stood in front of the mirror wearing the wedding dress.

She almost didn't recognize herself.

The poor girl who struggled to pay hospital bills…

Was now about to become the wife of the richest man in the city.

But deep inside her heart…

She knew this marriage was only a contract.

The door suddenly opened.

Alexander walked in.

For a moment…

He stopped.

His eyes stayed on Emily.

She looked stunning.

But his face quickly returned to normal.

"The car is ready."

Emily nodded nervously.

They walked outside together.

Dozens of luxury cars waited at the gate.

The wedding was happening in the biggest hotel in the city.

As the car drove away…

Emily suddenly asked quietly,

"Mr. Knight…"

Alexander looked at her.

"What?"

Emily hesitated.

"Are you sure about this marriage?"

Alexander answered immediately.

"Yes."

"But remember something."

His voice became serious.

"This marriage is only for one year."

Emily nodded slowly.

"I understand."

Alexander looked out the window.

Neither of them noticed…

A black car following them from behind.

Inside that car sat Sophia Blake.

Her eyes were full of hatred.

She held her phone in her hand.

The man on the other side of the call asked,

"Are you sure about this?"

Sophia smiled coldly.

"Of course."

"Today is their wedding day."

"But before the day ends…"

Her eyes became terrifying.

"I will ruin everything."

The man asked,

"What are you planning?"

Sophia laughed softly.

"Something that will make Alexander hate Emily forever."

Then she ended the call.

At that exact moment…

The wedding hall doors slowly opened.

Hundreds of guests turned around.

Cameras flashed everywhere.

Alexander Knight stepped inside.

Emily walked beside him.

Everyone in the room gasped.

The most powerful billionaire in the city…

Was really getting married.

But no one knew…

That within the next few minutes…

A shocking scandal was about to explode.

And it would destroy the wedding completely.