Chapter 19: The gala night

Earlier That Evening – Hayes Mansion

The Hayes Mansion buzzed with a kind of rehearsed urgency the kind reserved for nights where reputation would be paraded like jewels under artificial lights.

Maids floated through the hallways, adjusting floral arrangements and steaming the last of the evening gowns. Valets double-checked the motorcade waiting in the driveway. Everything smelled faintly of rose oil and freshly ironed linen.

Upstairs, behind carved oak doors, Luna stood before a tall mirror, the final layer of her evening armor being clasped into place.

The storm-colored satin gown hugged her frame with regal restraint. No jewelry except for one heirloom diamond ring on her right hand, the same ring George's mother had once worn. Her makeup was pristine, yet understated, with sharp liner and lips in a muted plum that exuded quiet command.

Behind her, Lydia the housekeeper who had watched Luna evolve over the past weeks—fastened the final hook on her dress.

“You look…” Lydia hesitated, searching for the right word. “Unshakable.”

Luna met her own eyes in the mirror. “Good,” she said softly. “That’s the point.”

Meanwhile George as well was in his Study, trying to gather his thoughts and mind for the event, the fact that he was going to erase the woman who he had always gone out to these parties with to replace her in public.

George stood at the wide bay window, already dressed in a custom black tuxedo, cuffs glinting with the Knights Corp insignia. His reflection stared back at him from the glass, colder than the night outside.

Nathan stood nearby, tablet in hand, reciting last-minute PR strategies.

“Our press team finalized your official appearance statement. They’ll focus on unity. Partnership. Post-scandal recovery.”

George’s jaw tightened. “And Emily?”

“No sightings. No leaks. We’ve silenced every major outlet that tried to bait her with the gala headline.”

He turned from the window. “Make sure she stays irrelevant.”

Nathan hesitated. “Yes, sir.”

It was time to go and for some reason George sent Nathan to go get Luna while he waited outside for them.

And then it didn't take long for them both to come down to meet him, George’s eyes caught Luna, he didn't take off his eyes immediately, he didn't know how to or rather he couldn't control his eyes to unsee the beauty he just saw.

“Stunning" he mummered, it can out like a whisper making sure no one heard him

George was a bit worried that Luna would look tense and uneasy but then he was wrong because she came out looking all bold and confident with that straight face that she always wears.

Thirty minutes later inside the backseat of the black Maybach, silence reigned.

George scrolled absently through his phone while Luna looked out the window. The city lights blurred against the tinted glass like streaks of fire and gold. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers laced together like folded steel.

“You don’t have to speak to anyone you don’t want to,” George said suddenly.

She didn’t turn to him. “You don’t have to protect me from your consequences.”

He looked at her then. But Luna didn’t look back.

George only wanted to look out for her but that was obviously very stupid of him.

Soon they got to the Dominion Grand Ballroom.

The red carpet was lit like a stage. Photographers lined either side of the entrance, flashes going off in chaotic intervals.

As George stepped out of the car first, the crowd’s attention shifted.

But when Luna emerged…

Gasps, camera clicks, whispers.

In her slate-silver gown, she moved like liquid resolve, chin high, eyes unbothered. Not just a wife but a headline rewritten.

The hosts greeted them with choreographed warmth. Inside, the ballroom dazzled golden chandeliers, marble floors, and a quartet playing a delicate waltz. Waiters moved between guests with practiced elegance, and conversations buzzed in soft layers around clinking glasses.

They moved as one unit George and Luna greeting investors, exchanging practiced smiles.

Everything was going according to plan.

Until it wasn’t.

Forty Minutes In – The Storm Descends

It started with a whisper.

Then a ripple.

The music faltered. Heads turned toward the staircase.

George froze beside Luna.

She followed his gaze.

Emily.

Descending like a slow curse. Scarlet silk clung to her like flame, blonde hair over one shoulder, her smile carved from ice and vengeance. Every step was deliberate. Every camera pointed.

Luna remained perfectly still.

But George didn’t.

“Who the hell told her about this event?” he muttered.

Luna didn’t look at him. “You should ask your team. Or maybe… your mistress.”

He shot her a look, but Luna had already turned.

Emily was walking straight toward them.

The crowd split as she passed.

Her heels clicked with provocative certainty. She took a flute of champagne from a passing tray, never breaking eye contact.

“Well,” she said sweetly, stopping before them. “Isn’t this cozy?”

George’s voice dropped low. “Emily. You weren’t invited.”

“Oh, but I’m always expected, aren’t I?” Her gaze flicked to Luna. “Seems the press thinks so, after all we are still married” she whispered with a smirk enough for Luna and and George to hear her words.

Luna’s tone was cool. “There’s a guest list. You weren’t on it.”

Emily smirked. “That never stopped anyone from making history and you weren't meant to interfere luna.”

George’s fists clenched at his sides. “Who gave you the location?”

Emily tilted her head, whispering, “Doesn’t matter. What matters is… now I’m here.”

Flashbulbs exploded.

The triangle was complete.

Across the Room – George Hayes’ Table

George Hayes set his scotch down with a sharp clink.

“This was supposed to be about brand recovery,” he muttered.

His assistant, pale, whispered, “Should I alert security?”

“No. It’s already viral. If we remove her now, we look guilty. Let the drama bleed itself dry.”

His eyes narrowed as he watched Emily mock and Luna hold her ground.

“She wasn’t supposed to know about this gala,” he said quietly. “This leak wasn’t random.”

And in that instant—he realized.

Someone inside was feeding the fire.

George didn't know how to handle this, his hands were visibly shaking, Emily's presence really changed his mood just when he thought he was moving on, handling things the way she should have shown up letting him go back to the beginning.

He was sitting but no longer comfortable, hearing the whispers and the mocking laughter from people.

This time he felt embarrassed, ashamed and scared.

Just when he was still reminiscing…there …. Was a voice loud… the mic …. He immediately turned to the direction of the stage.

It was Luna

She stood and went to the stage, George looked around to find any of his PR team or even Nathan to at least know what was going on and why the hell Luna was there.

“Good evening, esteemed guests.” She spoke before George could stop her getting everyone’s attention to herself.

Luna stood tall beneath the gala lights, the mic a mere formality in her hand, her presence alone commanding the room.

"For those I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet my name is Luna Hayes Knights. Yes, Knights."

A soft chuckle rippled through the room, while some heads turned in surprise and others in discomfort.

"Tonight, I speak on behalf of my husband, George Knights, who unfortunately couldn’t grace this stage himself. He believes actions, not words, define leadership. I happen to agree."

She gave a poised smile, eyes gliding calmly across the crowd lingering ever so slightly where Emily stood.

"Knights Corp doesn’t chase the spotlight. We set the standard, build in silence, and let results speak volumes. Much like the people behind its vision, steady, focused, and uninterested in theatrics."

Another beat passed. Luna’s smile sharpened polite, yet unmistakably territorial.

“Unplanned appearances don’t change the foundation of a brand. They only reveal who’s not part of it. I hope to learn more from you all in the future.” she gave out a big smile.

"So tonight, let’s raise a glass not just to partnerships and profits, but to legacy, loyalty, and knowing exactly where you stand—both in business… and in life."

She nodded once, gracious and composed.

"Thank you for your time. Please, enjoy the evening. I know I certainly will."

At first there was silence but then she had bewildered everyone with her speech that they were taking time to let it sink, the crowd began to applaud as she stepped down the stage to go back to her table right beside her husband.