chapter 4

“No. I was trying to help the man I loved,” Lucy said, her voice sharp and fierce now, burning with a mix of pain and defiance. “But you were too busy proving something, too proud, too blind, to see that I was standing right beside you, carrying your weight.”

Greg slammed the contract papers down on the polished table with a harsh bang. His face twisted in anger and hurt. “What the hell, Lucy! You made me look like a fool!”

Austin stepped forward, his tone cutting through the tension like steel. “You did that all by yourself, Greg. And if you ever raise your voice at my wife again, I won’t just stand here.” He moved protectively closer to Lucy, his eyes blazing.

Greg’s fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white. He looked ready to punch a wall. But before he could explode, Richard Bennett’s cold voice cut through the room like a judge’s gavel.

“That’s enough.” His eyes locked onto Greg’s with icy precision. As his gaze swept over Greg and Vanessa like a judge sentencing. His voice lowered to a dangerous edge. “And you… You’re the one who broke my daughter’s heart.”

Greg swallowed nervously. “S-sir… it wasn’t like that…”

“You’ll have to explain that temper of yours to DiMarco himself.”

Greg blinked, confused. “Wait, what does that mean?”

Richard’s voice dropped to a low growl. “It means your position here just became very uncertain.”

Greg stared at him, stunned, almost as if the words hadn’t fully sunk in. “You can’t just”

“I can,” Richard said quietly but with deadly certainty. “And I will.”

Greg turned sharply to Lucy, eyes wild with rage. “You’ll regret this. Both of you.”

Lucy held his gaze without flinching. “No, Greg. I already regret ever thinking you were different.” Her voice was steady but filled with every ounce of hurt she’d buried for years.

Richard snapped his fingers sharply. “Out. Now.”

Security didn’t hesitate this time. Two officers moved forward quickly, guiding Greg and Vanessa toward the exit. Their protests were ignored, drowned out by the growing whispers of the crowd.

As the heavy doors slammed shut behind them, Lucy finally let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her legs trembled slightly, but she stood tall.

Austin turned to her, concerned about softening his dark eyes. “You okay?”

Lucy nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “I think so. That was… intense.”

Austin leaned more closer, his voice dropping to a whisper only Lucy could hear. “Why didn’t you tell me you were Lucy Bennett?”

Lucy looked down for a moment, gathering herself before meeting his gaze. “Same reason you didn’t reveal who you were to me, Austin DiMarco. We needed to be us first, not just names or money.”

Austin exhaled deeply, the tension easing slightly from his shoulders. Then, without another word, he turned and strode toward her father.

He held out his hand with quiet confidence. “Mr. Bennett, it’s an honor. I’m your son-in-law.”

Richard regarded Austin’s hand and face carefully. Seconds ticked by before he clasped Austin’s hand firmly.

Antonio DiMarco stepped forward then, his presence as commanding as a storm. He laid a strong hand on Austin’s shoulder.

“I see our children made their alliance before we had a chance,” Antonio said, a proud smirk curling his lips. “I like her. She’s strong.”

He smiled gently. “Welcome to the DiMarco family. Trust me, you’ll never know a dull moment.”

The music softened as the orchestra resumed, filling the room with a gentle hum. Richard pulled Lucy aside, his voice low but insistent.

“I want to know everything.”

Lucy nodded, meeting her father’s serious gaze. “You will. But please… just trust me for now.”

Richard studied her for a long moment before nodding slowly.

Just as she began to think the night was settling, Antonio stepped onto the small stage in the center of the ballroom, raising his glass to call attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, his voice clear and commanding, “since fate has revealed what we hadn’t planned, allow me to formally introduce my son, Austin DiMarco… and his wife, Lucy Bennett.”

A round of applause filled the room, warm and welcoming.

Lucy smiled faintly and dipped her head, Austin bowing slightly by her side. It was a moment she never expected but deeply treasured.

But before the applause died down, a sharply dressed man approached Antonio and whispered urgently into his ear.

Antonio’s confident smile vanished. His eyes narrowed as he turned to Richard Bennett.

“We need to talk. Now.” His voice was tense. “Something is happening behind the scenes… and it involves the Phantom.”

Lucy froze, her heart pounding violently in her chest. The Phantom. The name alone sent chills down her spine. That shadowy figure had haunted the city for months, tearing down alliances and threatening the powerful.

Austin’s hand tightened around hers. “What did he say?”

Richard’s face hardened. “Let’s move upstairs.”

The three men slipped through a private hallway, leaving Lucy and Austin alone.

She sank into a nearby velvet chair, the weight of the night crashing down on her. Austin sat beside her, still holding her hand firmly, grounding her.

“Lucy,” he said softly, “I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”

She shook her head, her lips curving into a tired smile. “No. You saved me—from something worse.”

He brushed a stray curl from her face, his fingers warm and steady. Lucy closed her eyes briefly, letting herself feel safe in his presence for the first time all night.

But the Phantom’s shadow lingered, dark and heavy.

“Did you hear what Antonio said?” she asked, voice trembling slightly. “He said the Phantom is involved.”

Austin’s jaw clenched. “Yes. I warned my father we might be in deeper than we thought.”

Lucy’s breath hitched. All she had wanted was a night of peace, but now she faced a new storm. A storm bigger than Greg, bigger than heartbreak.

She squeezed Austin’s hand, determination hardening her voice. “We face him together.”

Austin’s eyes gleamed with fierce resolve. “Together.”

The ballroom lights dimmed slightly, the music shifting into a haunting melody.

Antonio stepped back onto the stage, his voice booming over the hushed crowd.

“If you value your futures, I suggest you listen carefully. The games we play tonight are only the beginning.”

Lucy’s heart thundered. She glanced at Austin. The gala was no longer just a celebration—it was the battlefield of power, secrets, and survival.

And somewhere, in the dark corners of the city, the Phantom watched.