This is just the beginning

Serena barely had time to process the weight of Ben’s announcement before she saw Jake storming toward them, his face a mixture of fury and desperation.

 “Jake,” she breathed, instinctively taking a step back.

 Ben, of course, didn’t move an inch. His grip on her waist tightened just slightly, a silent warning that she wasn’t going anywhere.

 Jake stopped just in front of them, his dark eyes burning into Serena’s. “What the hell is this?” he demanded.

 Ben took a slow sip of his whiskey, his smirk never fading. “That’s a rather foolish question, don’t you think?”

 Jake ignored him, his focus entirely on Serena. “Tell me this isn’t real.” His voice was lower now, almost pleading. “Tell me this is just another one of his power moves, Serena.”

 Serena swallowed, forcing herself to hold his gaze. This was it. The moment she had dreaded since stepping into this world.

 And yet, she found herself lifting her chin, embracing the cold detachment she had learned from Ben.

 “This is real,” she said simply.

 Jake reeled back as if she had struck him. His hands curled into fists at his sides. “You don’t love him.” His voice was tight, controlled. “I know you, Serena. You wouldn’t “

 “You don’t know me anymore,” she interrupted, her voice like steel.

 Something flickered in his eyes—hurt, regret but it was too late for that now.

 Ben finally decided to step in, his voice smooth and infuriatingly calm. “I’d suggest you lower your voice, Jake. This isn’t the place for an outburst.”

 Jake turned his glare on Ben. “You think you can just buy her? Own her?” His voice dripped with disgust. “That’s what this is, isn’t it? A game to you.”

 Ben chuckled darkly, taking another sip of his whiskey. “Everything is a game, Jake. The difference is, I don’t play to lose.”

 “How can you snatched your nephew’s fiancée,you disgust me and I’m ashamed to call you uncle “Jake said bitterly.

 “Did I just hear you say fiancée?the same fiancée you cheated on ?your are a joke “.., Ben said laughing.

 Jake’s temper snapped. He lunged, but Ben was faster, stepping in front of Serena just as security appeared from the corners of the room.

 “Careful,” Ben warned, his tone icy now. “You don’t want to make a scene, do you?”

 Jake breathed heavily, chest rising and falling, but he didn’t step back. “You won’t last,” he spat at Serena, his voice laced with frustration. “You think he cares about you? You’re just another deal to him, Serena. And when he’s done with you, he’ll throw you away like everyone else.”

 Serena’s heart pounded, but she refused to let her mask slip.

 “I guess we’ll see,” she said coolly.

 Ben smirked. “And when that day comes, Jake, I promise you you’ll still be beneath me.”

 Jake’s fists clenched, but before he could say another word, Sandra appeared, placing a hand on his arm. “Enough,” she whispered, her expression unreadable. “Not here.”

 Jake shook her off, his jaw tight. He cast one last look at Serena, searching for something hesitation, doubt, anything but found nothing.

 With a sharp breath, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the gala, Sandra following close behind.

 The moment the doors closed behind them, Ben turned to Serena, an amused glint in his eyes. “Well, that was entertaining.”

 Serena exhaled, steadying herself. “You knew he’d react like that, didn’t you?”

 Ben smirked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Of course.”

 Serena didn’t know whether to feel flattered or furious.

 Serena’s voice was barely above a whisper, but Ben heard every word.

 “Who really are you, Ben Blackwood? Why do I feel like you’ve known me my whole life, like everything has been your plan?”

 Ben’s smirk didn’t fade, but something in his gaze shifted calculated, knowing. He leaned in, his fingers brushing against her wrist as he spoke.

 “Because, sweetheart,” he murmured, “I have.”

 Serena’s breath caught. A chill ran down her spine, but whether it was fear or something more dangerous, she wasn’t sure.

 Ben lifted his glass, watching her over the rim as he took a slow sip. “The real question is… do you really want to know how deep this goes?”