CHAPTER 8

Standing completely victorious, Violet turns away from her ruined family. Soren stands right beside her, his heart swelling with immense pride as he admires her incredible bravery and fierce strength. He can't take his eyes off her.

Watching from the floor, Chloe’s eyes burn with toxic jealousy as she sees the deep, worshipful way the country's most powerful billionaire gazes at her stepsister.

She is so mad and wonders why good things happens to Violet all the time. "First, Derek, now Soren Ashwood?! Why her?!" Chloe vents within, watching how Soren's eyes stayed glued on Violet.

On the other side of the stage, Derek frantically begs, "Violet, stop this silly game! You're lying about being married to him! You're just trying to hurt me! You're... You're mad right?" Derek grins and crawls near ro hold Violet, but steps back because of Soren's gaze.

Derek scoffs and tells Violet to stop this acting and just comeback to him. He promises to take her back and stay away from Chloe from now on. Violet lets out a mocking laugh.

She raises her left hand, and Soren seamlessly raises his, revealing their identical, flashing diamond wedding bands to the flashing cameras. Derek stares in shock and shouts, calling Violet his wife.

To permanently seal the truth and show the entire world that they are official, Violet turns, grabs Soren’s sharp lapels, and kisses him directly on the lips in front of the entire media.

Soren freezes, his eyes widening in complete shock at her sudden, bold action. But within a split second, his instincts takes over. He wraps his large, warm hand tightly around her waist, pulling her impossibly close as he responds, kissing her deeply with a sudden, overwhelming passion that melts her entire body.

Chloe’s eyes widen in absolute horror, and Derek lets out a desperate scream, trying to lung forward to tear them apart before a guard brutally shoves him back into the floor.

When their lips finally part, the crowded auditorium fades into a blur. Soren and Violet share an intense, breathless eye-lock, still holding each other tightly.

Violet’s entire body is engulfed in a heavy, swirling heat as Soren trail a finger down from her cheek to her chin, looking satisfied.

The kiss wasn't just an act for the media; it felt incredibly real, filled with a deep, protective love that vibrated straight to Violet's soul. As she looks into Soren's burning, dark eyes, a sudden terrifyingly beautiful question echoes in her mind. Is Soren actually in love with me?

.

The heavy door of the luxury limousine clicks shut, instantly locking out the chaotic shouting of the media and the blinding flashbulbs of the press hall.

The air inside the vehicle is thick, heavy with an electric, suffocating tension. Violet sits rigidly on the leather seat, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs as she stares down at her lap.

Her lips still tingle, burning from the sheer heat of the passionate kiss she had initiated on the stage. Suddenly, a large shadow falls over her.

Soren leans across the space, placing his palms flat on the seat on either side of her hips, completely trapping her against the leather. Violet gasps, her eyes flying wide as she locks onto his dark, burning gaze.

His face is only inches from hers, his minty breath brushing against her cheeks."What was that back there, Violet?" Soren asks, his voice dropping into a low, dangerously alluring rumble that makes her entire body shiver.

"Was that little public display just a clever tactic to fool the media, or were you trying to play games with me?" Violet’s face flushes a brilliant, burning crimson. She swallows hard, trying to maintain her fierce composure, though her voice trembles slightly. "It... it was for the press. We needed to prove our marriage was real to completely destroy Derek's reputation. It was just an act."

Soren stares deeply into her eyes, his intense gaze searching her soul for what feels like an eternity. Slowly, a wicked, knowing smirk spreads across his handsome lips. He pulls back just an inch, his thumb gently trailing over her bottom lip. "An act? You certainly fooled me, Mrs. Ashwood. Because for a moment, it felt like you actually meant it."

Later that evening, after Soren drops her off at his massive estate, Violet paces around the floor of her luxurious bedroom.

Her phone is absolutely exploding with notifications.

The entire country's media has gone completely wild. Every single major news outlet, social media platform, and tabloid is broadcasting the exact same breaking headline, "Ruthless Tycoon Soren Ashwood Reveals His Beautiful, Bold New Wife To The World!" Viral videos of her delivering the hot slap to Chloe and passionately kissing Soren are trending everywhere, with millions of people praising her beauty and power.

Yet, Violet can barely focus on the screen. She collapses onto the center of her massive canopy bed, burying her burning face into a plush satin pillow.

She pulls her fingers over her lips, blushing furiously as she recalls the overwhelming protective warmth she felt when Soren wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Am I losing my mind?" she asks herself in a panicked whisper.

"Did I mistake a business arrangement for real feelings? No, pull yourself together, Violet. This marriage is just a temporary contract. Do not fall in love with a dangerous billionaire."