Taken By The Tycoon

Grace remained on the balcony of the massive ballroom, the event's noise barely reaching her ears as she peered out at the city lights below. Her fingers tightened around the champagne flute in her hand, but her gaze stayed riveted on the entryway. She sensed the heat rising in her chest and the weight of tonight's choice straining against her ribs. So this is it. Her heartbeat quickened. The gala was her idea, a chance to break the five-year silence, and now she was ready to do something that would truly change everything. No more hiding. Tonight, Lucas Stone would finally know what it felt like to lose everything. "Grace," a voice interrupted her thoughts, soft but insistent. She turned to find Henry Lawson, her fiancé, standing just a few feet away, his eyes studying her with an unreadable expression. He was tall, sharply dressed, and wore that perfect smile that was both comforting and manipulative. "Are you certain concerning this?" Henry's tone was relaxed, but Grace understood him well enough to notice the little trembling in his tone. He was not asking because he was concerned; he was asking because things were about to get personal. Grace forced a smile, the practiced mask slipping back into place. "It’s time. I need to do this." Henry stepped closer, his presence imposing. "You’re sure? Lucas will be... unpredictable. He’s not someone you can just—" "I'm not seeking your views," she interrupted him, a little harsher than she wanted. "This is my battle." He didn’t respond immediately, just nodded, his jaw tight. There was a flicker of something dark in his eyes, but Grace didn’t dwell on it. Not now. The final piece of her strategy had finally fallen into place. "Okay," he replied, his voice tense. "But remember, Grace, we do this together. You're not doing this alone." She cast a glance over her shoulder toward the ballroom entrance. Among the pomp and splendor of the evening, was Lucas, his tall frame casting a shadow at the far end of the room. His eyes met hers from across the room, and for a moment, she felt the familiar pang of something—anger, hurt, and maybe even a trace of regret. But she couldn’t afford that now. This was no longer about him. This was about her. "Don’t worry about me, Henry," Grace said coolly, before turning back to face the crowd. "I’ve got this." The announcement was already underway when they made their entrance onto the stage, the lights dimming and everyone’s attention shifting toward them. Grace kept her head high, heart pounding, but her face calm. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," the host commented, his voice resonating throughout the room. Tonight, we have a very special news from one of New York's most cherished socialites—Grace Harrow." The crowd’s eyes were on her, but all Grace could see was Lucas. The hardness in his expression, the way his jaw clenched as if he were trying to hold onto his composure. It was almost too easy. "Grace, the floor is yours," the host continued, gesturing to her. Grace stepped forward, taking the microphone from the host. "Thank you." Her voice was steady, clear. "I'd like to publicly declare my engagement… to Henry Lawson." A wave of surprise swept across the room. She could hear a few gasps, see the flashes of confusion. But she didn’t falter. She held the microphone with a steady hand, forcing herself not to look at Lucas, but she could feel his stare like a physical thing. Lucas’s gaze was cold, unreadable. But there was something else behind it—something deeper. And for a moment, Grace felt a flicker of doubt. But no. She shook it off. This is your moment, Grace. Don’t back down. "Yes," she continued, louder n w, her voice carrying over the murmurs in the room, I’m marrying Henry, the man who’s stood by me when no one else would." She shot a glance at Henry, who smiled back at her, the perfect partner in crime. But as she finished her sentence, her eyes slid back to Lucas. He was no longer standing still. He was moving toward her, a storm building in his eyes. He reached the stage, his hand clenching at his side as he met her gaze. "Grace, you are making a mistake," he responded, his tone stiff and controlled. "You have no clue of what you're doing." The audience had become silent as they witnessed this dramatic incident unfold in front of them. Grace could feel their eyes, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. "No," she said, her tone rigid and her chin up. "You're not sure what you did. You humiliated me, Lucas. You left me at the altar. You never listened. And now? Now, you think you can stop me? I'm reclaiming what you took from me. A strange sensation—perhaps pain—crossed his face, but it faded as quickly as it appeared. His jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with wrath. "You really think this is going to ease the pain?" he asked, his tone extremely low. "You think marrying him is going to fix what you destroyed?" Grace didn’t flinch. "What I destroyed?" She laughed bitterly. "You’re still blaming me for something I didn’t do. You never bothered to hear my side, Lucas. You just assumed. You never cared about the truth, did you?" His hands were now at his sides, fists grasped so tight that his knuckles were white. "You—" "Enough," Grace interrupted him off, backing off the microphone. "It’s over, Lucas. You’re not my problem anymore." Without looking back, she turned to Henry, who was waiting for her with his hand out. She embraced it, but the weight of Lucas' gaze lingered in her chest. They departed the stage, the audience rumbling with whispers. As Henry accompanied her away, Grace couldn't ignore the feeling that something was wrong. As they departed the ballroom, Grace's phone was ringing. She pulled it from her purse, barely glancing at the screen before her heart quickened. “We need to talk. Now.” Her stomach tightened. She knew who it was. He hadn’t left. He was still here, and he wanted answers. "Grace?" Henry's voice shattered her thoughts, but she barely heard him. She was already placing her phone back in her bag. "Nothing. Just a work thing. Henry didn’t buy it, but he didn’t push. Instead, he led her outside, where a sleek black limo awaited them. The cool breeze struck Grace like a slap, but she didn't sense it. All she could think about was the message on her phone. Lucas was coming for her. But this time, she was not going to hide. Grace's phone buzzed again as they slid into the limousine. A new message. "I’m coming for you, Grace." Her hand was shaking slightly while she read it. She had no clue, but she knew one thing for certain. Lucas Stone was about to change everything once again.