Chapter 16

*Laurie*

“You must have known who I was; otherwise, you wouldn't have ever bid so high to get me,” I remarked, hoping to get a reaction from him as we walked, but he refused to acknowledge it.

This made me chuckle inwardly. Great! How much more foolish could I have been? Isn't this the saying that goes ‘from frying pan to fire?’

Right! He knows me to be the daughter of the fallen prominent Rayne family, and also knew I was Zane Voss’s wife, whilst almost no one aside from those in the Voss mansion knew, yet I wonder if he had at least one thing sincere? Tch! All men are the same.

I stopped thinking about his motive. It had already come to this point and there seemed to be no turning back. As long as Rafe and I are safe and alive, I do not mind playing along with this terrible life.

I observed our surroundings as we got closer to the inner hall. I guess no one had expected him here. And from the looks on their faces, they were terrified to find out he had come.

I swallowed, my fingers still lightly resting in his grasp. Beside me, Theron remained utterly indifferent. If he noticed the effect he had on the crowd, he didn’t show it.

His expression was unreadable, his posture, also relaxed yet commanding. This attitude of nonchalance, I hated about him. I dislike not being able to tell the difference in people’s moods. You don't even know when they start to get angry or irritated. Truly a Maniac!

His strides were as though he wasn’t just entering this event, he was owning… stealing it, without uttering a single word.

And yet… I could feel the silent challenge he exuded. The weight of his reputation was pressing down on everyone in attendance. Including me.

A breath I didn’t realize I was holding left my lips, and in that moment, I caught someone, an older man, standing near the entrance of what I assume to be the main hall, gripping his cane so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes darted between Theron and me, his mouth opening as if to speak, but no words came out.

He was panicking and it was terrifying. I turned to Theron to see his reaction. He was still looking ahead, calm, composed… smoky, ruthless.

And then, ever so slightly, his thumb brushed against the back of my hand in a brief touch.

The moment we stepped forward, the event staff scrambled into action. One man rushed to open the grand double doors, while another hurriedly gestured for us to enter. Their hands were steady, their postures were professional, but their eyes, oh, their eyes, were filled with barely concealed fear.

Inside, the venue was a masterpiece. A chandelier, grand enough to put the stars to shame, cast golden light over a ballroom adorned in black and gold. Round tables draped in silk stood elegantly across the floor, each topped with extravagant centerpieces of white roses and flickering candlelight. Soft, elegant music hummed through the space, adding a deceptive layer of peace to the tension in the room.

And then, as if drawn by an unseen force, every guest inside turned in our direction.

Their conversations ceased once more. The musicians missed a note. Wine glasses were gripped a little tighter.

These, unlike the people out, seem to be fully aware of who he was. A silent surprise passed through the elite of the city, and I could almost hear their thoughts.

“Him? Here?”

“Why?”

“What does he want?”

“Why is he there?”

Their stares pressed against my skin like a suffocating velvet cage. And yet, I wasn’t afraid. I was fascinated.

Because for the first time, I wasn’t watching this from the outside. I wasn’t a girl dreaming of stepping into a world of elegance and power; I was already inside it. Even though I did not know why I was in it or why he had bought and brought me here, now that I have decided to let go and see what comes out of it, the only thing I hope not to get is regret.

Theron walked with his usual unhurried grace, leading me deeper into the grand hall. His hold on my hand was firm but gentle, as if he owned me in the same way he owned the fear in this room.

I stole a glance at him.

His expression remained unfazed, his sharp gaze scanning the crowd like a predator surveying prey. He wasn’t just here to make an appearance, right?

And judging by the sheer terror in some of these people’s eyes, his presence alone was enough to do just that.

A waiter, clearly nervous, rushed to offer him a glass of wine. Theron didn’t even acknowledge him, his focus locked elsewhere.

Then, he finally spoke, his voice was so low that only I could hear.

“Do you like it?”

It took me a second to process his words.

I blinked up at him, my lips parting slightly. “Like what?”

“This.” His gaze flicked toward the chandelier, the polished marble floors, the world I once thought was untouchable. “This part of Valemont City.”

The reminder sent a fresh wave of emotion crashing over me. Valemont City.

My parents and I had made plans to start a new life here.

But that was before everything crumbled. Before we lost everything. Before they were… Gone.

I swallowed hard, then slowly turned my attention back to the grand hall. My fingers unconsciously curled around Theron’s, holding onto something, anything, to keep myself grounded.

I took it all in. The luxury. The power. The Control.

And then, before I could stop myself, a breathless whisper escaped my lips.

“It’s beautiful.”

I hadn’t expected him to react. But his lips curled in a fleeting smile. For reasons I couldn’t quite explain, it sent my heart into a freefall.

---

“Theron Blackmoor… I didn’t expect to see you here tonight. I didn't expect that you would honour my invitation. The pleasure is all mine.”

Theron exhaled slowly beside me. The man who had spoken was older, perhaps in his late fifties.

I remained quiet, watching as Theron let the moment drag out, as if testing how far he could stretch the tension before it snapped. Then he deliberately shifted his gaze to the man.

“Leonardo.” His voice was calm. The kind of calmness that made people uneasy.

“It is indeed your pleasure to have us here.”

Leonardo swallowed, the movement visible in his throat. His wife, elegantly dressed in emerald silk, curled her fingers around his sleeve. The slight tremor in her grip did not go unnoticed by me.

Leonardo cleared his throat, attempting composure.

“I must say, your presence tonight is… unexpected,” he admitted, his words carefully measured. “I didn’t realize you took an interest in social affairs.”

Theron smiled.

“I don’t.”

It wasn’t just Leonardo who reacted, everyone around us stiffened slightly.

I felt their stares like an unspoken question pressing into my skin. Even Leonardo’s gaze flashed to me, barely concealing his intrigue. Ah. So that was it? Pushing it away from himself and tagging me? Asshole!

Now they weren’t wondering about Theron’s presence anymore but about me. My fingers tightened slightly on Theron’s arm, and my body instinctively quivered under their scrutiny. But I didn’t let it show. I kept reminding myself, ‘Fake it till you make it.’

“You’re staring, Leonardo.” Theron snapped at him.

Leonardo stiffened, as if he had been caught. A forced chuckle left his lips.

“My apologies,” he said. But we both knew it wasn’t genuine. “It’s just rare to see you with company.”

Theron said nothing. And somehow, that felt more powerful than any response.

Then, as if dismissing the entire exchange, Theron turned to me.

“Shall we?”

I nodded. And without another word, we left them standing there.