Chapter 4: The Perfect Couple

The Blackwood family's ancestral manor was ablaze with light.

Luxury cars lined the sweeping driveway, while elegantly dressed guests streamed through the grand, gilded entrance. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, classical music drifted through the towering ballroom, and servers moved effortlessly among the high-society crowd carrying silver trays of champagne.

It was Old Master Blackwood's seventy-fifth birthday celebration,the most anticipated social event of the year.

As Adrian's sleek, black Rolls-Royce came to a smooth stop at the entrance, a valet hurried forward to open the door. Adrian stepped out first, adjusting his cuffs before turning back toward the passenger seat.

He extended his hand. "Careful, babe."

Celeste looked at his open palm for a fleeting moment before placing her hand in his. To everyone watching, they looked like the absolute pinnacle of a perfect couple.

Only she knew how cold his hand felt.

The moment they entered the ballroom, countless eyes turned toward them.

"There they are."

"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood."

"Aren't they the couple behind the famous "FOREVER CELESTE necklace?"

"They're even more breathtaking in person."

Compliments followed them like a shadow wherever they walked. Adrian greeted every guest with his signature charm, keeping one hand possessively around Celeste's waist. She smiled politely, though each curve of her lips felt heavier than the last.

"Adrian!"

A cheerful voice interrupted them. A middle-aged woman dressed in an emerald-green evening gown approached with a warm, knowing smile. It was Adrian's second aunt, Evelyn Blackwood.

"My goodness, look at the two of you." Evelyn clasped her hands together happily. "Three years of marriage already. Time certainly flies." She looked at Celeste, letting out a playful sigh. "So... when are you two finally giving Grandpa a great-grandchild?"

Several nearby relatives immediately turned their heads, joining the circle.

"That's right."

"You've been married long enough."

"Children are what make a family complete, you know."

"Grandpa has been looking forward to holding a great-grandchild for years."

Celeste's polite smile slowly faded. She lowered her eyes, a familiar weight pressing down on her chest. But before she could formulate a polite, empty response, Adrian spoke up.

"We're trying," Adrian said, his tone perfectly calm and confident. "When the time is right, you'll all hear the good news."

Another elderly relative let out a dry laugh. "You young people work too much. If you wait any longer, you'll both be too busy to enjoy them."

A few people chuckled in agreement. Then, a sharp voice cut through the humor.

"Maybe the problem isn't Adrian."

The words were spoken lightly, but the underlying venom was unmistakable. The small circle in the ballroom suddenly fell silent. Celeste felt every pair of eyes land heavily on her, waiting to see her shrink.

Before anyone else could add another degrading comment, Adrian's expression darkened.

"I think that's enough," Adrian said. His voice was low, but it carried an unmistakable, chilling authority.

The smiles around them instantly vanished.

"My wife is not someone you will gossip about," Adrian continued, his sharp, defensive gaze sweeping over the group, shutting down any attempt to speak. "Our family may enjoy teasing, but I won't tolerate anyone making my wife uncomfortable. If you have concerns about our marriage, ask me. Leave Celeste out of it."

An awkward silence filled the space. Even Aunt Evelyn looked slightly embarrassed, shifting on her heels. "We didn't mean any harm, Adrian..."

"I know," Adrian said, his expression softening just a fraction, though his posture remained rigid. "But words matter. Please be mindful of how you speak to my wife."

The tense atmosphere gradually began to thaw. Someone quickly changed the subject to business, and the surrounding conversations resumed as if nothing had happened.

Standing beside Adrian, Celeste felt a sudden, unexpected emotion welling up in her chest.

Safety...

For three years, whenever the haughty Blackwood family had tried to criticize her or mock her humble background, Adrian had always stood firmly between her and their harsh words. He had defended her. Protected her. Made her believe, day after day, that she had married the right man.

For one fleeting, agonizing moment... she almost forgot everything.

Then, the vivid image of the luxury apartment flashed through her mind.

The vanilla perfume.

The anonymous messages.

The identical necklace resting on another woman’s collarbone.

The warmth she had just felt vanished, turning to ice in her veins. How brutally ironic. The man shielding her from the world's cruelty was the exact same person who had broken her heart.

"Are you alright?" Adrian leaned closer, genuine concern filling his eyes as he looked down at her. "You've been so quiet all evening."

"I'm fine," she forced a small, practiced smile. "I just haven't been sleeping well lately."

He gently squeezed her hand. "After tonight, let's take a vacation. Just the two of us. We've both been under too much stress."

Celeste looked at him. His concern looked so real. His smile looked so sincere.

His lies were absolutely flawless.

Before she could answer, the heavy double doors of the ballroom opened once again.

A young woman in an elegant, off-shoulder ivory gown walked inside, carrying a beautifully wrapped gift. She moved with quiet, practiced confidence, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor.

The moment Adrian saw her, his fingers tightened around Celeste's hand.

It was only for a microsecond. But Celeste felt it.

So did the woman in ivory.

Their eyes met briefly across the crowded ballroom before both of them calmly, professionally looked away.

"Mr. Blackwood," the woman said as she approached, offering a polished, formal smile. "The directors from Westbridge Pharmaceuticals have just arrived. They are waiting near the VIP lounge."

She turned politely toward Celeste, her eyes scanning Celeste’s face and the diamond necklace resting on her collarbone with a hidden, sharp intensity.

"It's an absolute pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Blackwood."

Adrian cleared his throat, his posture stiffening slightly. "Celeste... this is my executive secretary, Vanessa Hale."

Celeste slowly looked into the woman's eyes. She let a faint, cold smile curve her lips.

"So..." Celeste murmured, her voice steady and quiet. "You're Vanessa."

For the briefest, most satisfying moment... Vanessa's perfect, professional smile faltered.