A marriage in the Spotlight

Chapter 3 

A Marriage in the Spotlight

The invitation arrived that morning,it was stamped in gold foil,with a symbol of the power struggles that rules their world. 

The Sinclair Annual Business Gala—the biggest corporate event of the year. 

A always a time where alliances were being formed, empires grew, and reputations could either be soared or collapsed.

Damien Blackwell would not be arriving alone tonight.

He turned the card over in his hand, his jaw tightening as he opened the card. 

The burden of his impending action hung over him like a noose. Without ever displaying weakness, he had strategically constructed his whole empire and wouldn't want anything to make him feel weak. Yet, the one person who could destroy him with a single word would be on his arm tonight, wearing a suit tailored to his perfection and a smirk that promised chaos to him. That is. ……

Luca.

No—Lucas Vale now.

He had agreed to this arrangement under one condition: Damien must publicly acknowledge their marriage. And there was no better place to do it than in front of the press, investors, and corporate sharks who were ready to sink their teeth into any sign of weakness displayed by him.

Damien exhaled sharply, straightening his tie. He was ready for this. He had faced boardroom wars, hostile takeovers, and his father’s impossible expectations. But nothing had ever felt as dangerous as stepping onto that red carpet with Lucas at his side.

Tonight, the world would know. 

The gala was held at the Grand Sterling Hotel, it was filled with wealthy and decadent people. 

Its crystal chandeliers illuminated the smooth marble floors with a golden glow which made the hall look very attractive, and champagne was abundant as New York's elite socialized and exchanged veiled threats and niceties. Each set of tables was filled with different dishes of choice.

Getting out of his beautiful black Bentley, Damien was the first to arrive. As the cameras flashed and reporters called his name, he turned to face the second car that was approaching from behind and buttoned his tuxedo jacket.

The door opened, and the world seemed to hold its breath against him.

When Lucas came out, Damien briefly wondered if he had misjudged him or if he had simply fallen into a trap he created.

Wearing an obsidian-black suit that fit his body flawlessly, he exuded effortless confidence. His green eyes sharply searched the crowds. He moved with a grace Damien barely recognized, exuding an aura that wasn’t just wealth—it was power.

The cameras went wild. Flashes upon flashes.

"Mr. Blackwell! Over here!"

"Lucas Vale! Is it true you're married to Damien Blackwell?"

"When did the wedding happen?"

 So many questions from the reporters.

The aroma of Lucas's perfume, something rich and faintly enticing, filled the air between them as Damien pushed his face into something unreadable. He offered Damien a slow, almost mocking smile before slipping his hand into the crook of his arm.

“Ready, husband?” Lucas murmured, his voice was filled with amusement.

Damien clenched his jaw slightly hearing the word husband but didn’t pull away from him.

 He had spent years perfecting control, but somehow, with just one word from him, Lucas has shattered it effortlessly.

They stepped onto the carpet together.

The murmurs turned into a roar.

Flashes exploded around them as they walked in sync, every movement choreographed yet natural. 

Damien had expected a controversy, but he had not expected Lucas to take full responsibility for the situation with no fear written on his face.

He shook hands with powerful people as though he had always been here before, smiled brilliantly when he met reporters who asked three questions and laughed when the time was perfect for it. His charisma was irresistible for me as I wonder how long it might have taken him to practice.

And the worst part?

It was working.

Damien had spent years commanding respect through intimidation, through raw dominance in the corporate world. But Lucas? He didn’t have to demand attention. It simply moved toward him, like planets caught in orbit around a star.

The whispers started almost immediately.

"Lucas Vale is breathtaking—how did we not notice him before?"

"Damien looks almost... outshined."

The realization gnawed at Damien as they entered the grand ballroom. This wasn’t just a forced reunion. Lucas was playing a game. And he was winning.

The event was going on inside. Chandeliers made of crystals lighted up the sea of CEOs and socialites who were enjoying the vintage wine. Soft jazz was performed by a live orchestra, highlighting the tension in the room and keeping it warm.

Damien's recently hired CFO, Carter Hale, was already standing at the bar, observing them as he got his eyes glued around.

Carter was dangerous, but not as deadly as Luca, but he is more subtle and quiet when about to act. He had been moving like a predator around the board, looking for a weakness to pounce on. Damien had just handed him one tonight.

“Blackwell,” Carter greeted smoothly, raising his glass. “And Mr. Vale, isn’t it?”

Lucas smiled, the picture of easy elegance. “Lucas Vale-Blackwell,” he corrected, his voice silk and steel.

Carter’s expression barely flickered, but Damien saw the calculation behind his eyes.

"A sudden revelation," Carter mused. "A secret husband, appearing just in time to solidify your claim over Blackwell Enterprises? Quite the coincidence."

Lucas cocked his head, seeming to be interested in what he said. “Coincidence?” He sipped his champagne and laughed slightly.

 "Or were you simply not important enough to know earlier?"

Carter’s jaw twitched.

Damien nearly smirked. Despite everything, Lucas was still a master at wielding words like weapons.

Carter recovered quickly, swirling his drink lazily. "Of course. But I do wonder—why now? Why hide your marriage for so long, only to reveal it when Damien’s position was... vulnerable?”

The unspoken accusation hung between them.

Lucas grinned, bending forward so that only Carter and Damien could hear what he had to say. 

 “The real question is,” he murmured, his voice filled with danger yet soft, “what makes you think we were ever apart?”

Damien felt his pulse spike as Lucas asked that question.

Lucas had always been good at this—spinning lies into truth, bending reality to his will. And damn it, the way he said it, even Damien almost believed him.

Carter squinted but did not say anything more. He just raised his glass in a slow toast instead.

Smoothly, he continued, "To marriages and their... longevity."

Damien knew what he was really saying.

This isn’t over.

Hours passed, and Damien found himself watching Lucas more than he intended to.

He had expected defiance. Resistance. Maybe even quiet bitterness beneath the surface.

But instead, Lucas played the role of perfect spouse with infuriating ease.

He laughed at just the right moments. Touched Damien’s arm like it was second nature. When he leaned in, his breath ghosting against Damien’s skin, the world saw intimacy—not warfare.

And the problem?

Damien felt it too.

Because despite everything—the betrayal, the anger, the five years apart—Lucas still fit into his world like he had never left.

And that realization was more dangerous than any scandal.

Toward the end of the evening, Damien eventually moved Lucas away from onlookers.

“You’re enjoying this,” he muttered, voice low.

Lucas raised a brow. “And if I am?”

Damien clenched his fists. “Don’t play games with me, Luca.”

Lucas only smirked before he spoke up. “Oh, Damien,” he murmured, stepping just a little too close to him, he could feel the heartbeat of Damien as he stared into his eyes. “I’m not playing. I’m winning.” he dropped.

And with that, he walked away, leaving Damien staring after him—unsure if he had just gained an ally, or a nightmare he’d never escape.