CHAPTER 6

Violet lets out a bitter laugh and lets it ring out. He calls three more times in a desperate panic before finally sending an audio recording.

With a trembling finger, Violet presses play. Derek’s furious, venomous voice echoes through the quiet room, “Listen to me, you worthless bitch! You think throwing a ring at me changes anything? Tomorrow morning at nine, we are holding a national press conference. You are going to stand at that podium, tell the media you tripped into the river by accident, and sign over your mother's shares to Chloe to make up for the damage you caused tonight. If you don't show up and fix my reputation, I will make sure you are ruined in this city forever. You are nothing without me!”

Violet’s blood boils with pure rage. Her hands shake as she prepares to type back a furious, scathing response to put Derek in his place. But before her thumb can touch the keyboard, a large, warm hand gently but firmly clasps over hers, taking the phone away. Violet gasps and turns around, only to freeze completely.

Soren is standing right beside her bed, completely shirtless. His sculpted chest, razor-sharp abs, and broad shoulders gleam beautifully under the dim lights of the bedroom.

Violet's mouth goes completely dry, her eyes widening as she helplessly gawks at his incredibly flawless physique. "Don't fall into his trap, Violet," Soren murmurs, his deep voice sending a sudden shiver straight down her spine. "He wants you angry. He wants you reactive. Put the phone away and prepare your mind for tomorrow."

Soren catches her lingering gaze tracking down his abs, and a slow, wicked smirk plays on his lips. He steps a fraction closer, leaning down slightly. "We are a married couple now, Violet. If you find yourself wanting to take things a bit further tonight..."

Violet’s face turns bright, burning crimson. "I-I want to sleep!" she cuts him off quickly, her voice squeaking as she hurriedly pulls the silk duvet over her head to hide her blushing face.

Soren lets out a low, deeply attractive chuckle before stepping out of the room. Under the covers, Violet bites her lower lip, her heart pounding furiously against her ribs. In her mind, she can't help but helplessly worship Soren's body. "He's so handsome and hot. Just look at his body. I can't believe this man has been single for long. What is wrong with me?!"

She tightly squeezes her eyes shut, forcing herself to pull her thoughts together. "Remember," she warns herself silently, "This marriage is just a business contract. Do not fall for him." She sighs, keeping her eyes closed.

.

The next morning, the guest suite transforms into a high-end fashion studio. On Soren’s strict orders, the city’s top glam team, stylists, and designers arrive at dawn to give Violet a complete, badass queen makeover.

They style her hair into sleek, powerful waves and apply sharp, flawless makeup that accentuates her fierce eyes. Finally, they dress her in a breathtaking, tailored white designer blazer dress paired with high-end diamond jewelry. When Violet looks into the full-length mirror, the broken, timid girl who almost drowned last night is entirely gone. In her place stands an elite, untouchable billionaire’s wife.

She glides downstairs and joins Soren, who is waiting for her in a sharp, expensive black three-piece suit. His eyes darken with intense approval as he takes in her new look.

"Now that's what I call class," He smirks, extending his hand to Violet.

She's charmed by his gentleman approach and takes his hand. Together, they step into the backseat of his luxury limousine, heading straight toward the grand convention center where the press conference is being held.

Meanwhile, inside the packed media hall, flashbulbs are popping aggressively. Derek and Chloe sit closely together at the main podium like a grieving, loving couple, surrounded by Violet’s parents.

Derek speaks into the microphones with fake tears in his eyes, speaking directly to the crowd of reporters. "It breaks my heart to admit this," Derek lies smoothly, putting a comforting arm around Chloe.

"But my ex-fiancée, Violet, became deeply unstable and jealous of my business success. Last night, she brutally pushed her innocent stepsister Chloe into the river, trying to end her life. Violet has since run away with our family's company shares. We are here today to plead for her to return the stolen assets and seek psychological help." Chloe whimpers on cue, burying her face in Derek's chest as the reporters gasp and whisper furiously, typing away on their laptops. Violet's father steps up, nodding right along. "As her father, I completely disown her actions. Those shares belong to Chloe now."

Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the back of the auditorium are violently slammed open by a team of elite, black-suited bodyguards. The sudden, booming crash makes the entire room go dead silent. All the reporters gasp and spin around, their cameras instantly pivoting toward the entrance.

Walking through the doors, arm-in-arm, are Soren Ashwood and Violet. The crowd erupts into complete, chaotic murmuring as flashbulbs blind the room.

On the stage, Derek’s face goes completely pale, his jaw dropping in absolute horror. Chloe freezes, her fake tears drying instantly as she stares in utter disbelief at the beautiful, powerful queen walking toward her. "What's this? Is that Violet?"

Violet looks up at the podium with a cold, triumphant smile, tightly holding the hand of the most powerful tycoon in the country, ready to tear their lives apart.