The Star of the Night

The Grand Imperial Ballroom was bathed in golden light, the air thick with the scent of expensive champagne and high-society perfume. This was the annual Elite Tech Gala, a gathering of the nation’s most powerful investors, billionaires, and journalists.

In the corner of the room, Chloe stood sipping white wine, wearing a pastel pink dress that made her look like a sweet, innocent lamb. Beside her stood Julian, fixing his cuffs, his face still tense from the humiliation at Elena's office earlier that afternoon.

"Don't worry, Julian," Chloe whispered, her eyes flashing with malice. "I’ve already spoken to three reporters from the tech tabloids. I told them Elena has been acting completely erratic, locking herself in her room and missing board meetings. By tomorrow morning, the press will be asking if the 'Tech Queen' is having a mental breakdown. Your image as her suffering, loyal fiancé will be locked in."

Julian nodded, a smug smile returning to his face. "She was incredibly arrogant today. Let's see how long her pride lasts when her investors start pulling out."

Suddenly, the heavy double doors of the ballroom swung open.

The chatter in the room died down instantly. The string quartet missed a beat. One by one, heads turned toward the entrance, and audible gasps rippled through the crowd.

Elena had arrived.

She stepped into the ballroom, her posture flawless, her chin held high. She wore the custom midnight-blue silk gown Ethan Vance had sent her. The dress fit her perfectly, hugging her curves before flowing down to the marble floor. Thousands of micro-diamonds woven into the fabric caught the heavy chandeliers, making her look as though she were draped in the night sky. Her dark hair was swept up, exposing her elegant neck, and her eyes were crystal clear, sharp, and blazing with absolute confidence.

There was no trace of the quiet, submissive girl she used to be. She looked every bit the powerful, untouchable billionaire CEO.

"Is that... Elena?" a prominent tech investor murmured nearby. "I thought the rumors said she was cracking under stress. She looks like royalty."

Chloe’s glass nearly slipped from her fingers. Her face turned a sickly shade of pale as she stared at the breathtaking dress. "How... how does she have that dress? That's a Vance Global private design!"

Julian's jaw went completely slack. He took a step forward, his eyes burning with a mix of intense jealousy and confusion. "Elena!" he called out, pushing past a group of executives to reach her.

Elena stopped, turning her cold, piercing gaze onto him as he approached.

"Elena, what is the meaning of this?" Julian hissed under his breath, trying to keep his voice low for the surrounding cameras. "Where did you get that dress? And why did you ignore my texts all afternoon? As your fiancé, I demand an explanation."

Elena let out a soft, mocking laugh that cut sharper than a knife. "Fiancé? Julian, I think your memory is failing you. I have never accepted a ring from you. You are nothing more than an aggressive suitor who doesn't know how to take no for an answer."

Several nearby guests whispered, their eyes widening at the public rejection.

Julian’s face flushed red with anger. "Elena, stop playing games! You’re embarrassing yourself and your company. Come with me right now." He reached out, his hand wrapping tightly around her wrist to pull her away.

"Release her."

The voice wasn't loud, but it possessed a terrifying, gravelly authority that instantly froze the entire room.

The crowd parted like the red sea as a towering figure stepped forward. Ethan Vance walked into the light, his massive frame radiating a suffocating, icy aura. His slate-gray eyes were locked directly onto Julian’s hand on Elena's wrist, and the look in them was lethal.

Julian felt a cold sweat break out on his neck. His grip on Elena loosened instinctively. "Mr... Mr. Vance."

Ethan didn't even look at Julian. He stepped right past him, stopping inches away from Elena. His gaze softened by a fraction as he scanned her in the dress, an unreadable, fascinated glint in his eyes.

"You look stunning, fiancée," Ethan said, his deep baritone echoing clearly for everyone in the ballroom to hear.

He offered his arm to her. Elena smiled, a triumphant, lethal spark in her eyes, and slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow.

Before anyone could process the shock, Ethan turned his frozen steel eyes back to the trembling Julian and the horrified Chloe.

"If I ever see you touch my future wife again," Ethan whispered, his voice dripping with ruthless promise, "I will ensure your names are erased from this industry by midnight."