Chapter 4: The Gala of Snakes
698 Words
The flashes of the paparazzi cameras were blinding.
As the sleek black limousine pulled up to the red carpet of the Grand Plaza Hotel, Elena felt a cold sweat break out across her palms. The noise outside was deafening—shouted questions, clicking shutters, and the roar of the crowd.
"Remember your training," Ethan’s voice cut through her panic. He sat across from her in the limo, looking perfectly calm. "Smile. Keep your head high. And stay close to me."
The chauffeur opened the door. Ethan stepped out first, instantly greeted by a wall of camera flashes. He turned back, extending his hand into the vehicle toward Elena.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Elena placed her hand in his. The moment her fingers touched his, his grip tightened, pulling her smoothly out of the car. He immediately slid his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his side. The warmth of his body was the only thing keeping her grounded as they walked down the gauntlet of reporters.
"Mr. Blackburn! Is it true she’s a nobody?"
"Elena! Are you marrying him for his money?"
The questions were vicious, but Ethan ignored them completely, guiding her effortlessly through the grand glass doors of the ballroom.
Inside, the venue was a sea of crystal chandeliers, flowing champagne, and wealthy elites dressed in diamonds and tuxedos. The moment Ethan entered, the room seemed to quiet down as heads turned to stare at the new couple.
"Ethan, darling! You finally made it," a sharp, high-pitched voice called out.
An elegant, older woman draped in pearls approached them, flanked by a younger woman wearing a stunning, low-cut crimson dress. The younger woman was staring at Elena with pure, unadulterated hatred.
"Lady Catherine. Julianna," Ethan acknowledged them with a tight, polite nod.
"We were shocked to hear the news, Ethan," Julianna said, stepping closer, her eyes scanning Elena’s emerald dress with a sneer. "A sudden engagement to a girl with... no background? I thought you had better taste."
Elena felt her blood turn to ice. Julianna was an heiress to a major shipping empire, and it was common knowledge in the tabloids that she had been trying to marry Ethan for years.
"Taste is subjective, Julianna," Ethan replied, his voice dripping with an icy finality as his grip on Elena’s waist tightened protectively. "I prefer someone with genuine grace, rather than someone who relies entirely on their family's name to appear relevant."
Julianna’s face flushed with anger, her jaw tightening.
Before the heiress could retaliate, Ethan looked down at Elena, his expression softening into an incredibly convincing look of pure adoration. "Excuse us, ladies. I promised my beautiful fiancée a dance."
He led Elena onto the crowded marble dance floor, away from the whispering crowds. As the classical orchestra began to play a slow waltz, Ethan pulled her into his arms. One hand rested firmly on her waist, while the other held her hand up between them.
Elena looked up at him, her heart racing from the proximity. They moved in perfect synchronization, his steps confident and flawless.
"You handled yourself well back there," Ethan murmured, his head leaning down close to hers so only she could hear. "But the night is young. Don't let your guard down."
"You're a very good actor, Mr. Blackburn," Elena whispered back, looking into his gray eyes. "For a second, I almost believed you actually cared."
Ethan’s eyes darkened, the playful look vanishing instantly, replaced by something deep, intense, and terrifyingly raw. He spun her around, pulling her body tightly against his chest as the music swelled.
"Don't confuse a business strategy with reality, Elena," he warned in a dangerous whisper, his breath fanning across her lips. "I don't care about anyone. Remember that, and you won't get hurt."
Before she could respond, the music stopped. The crowd erupted into applause, and Ethan immediately broke the embrace, stepping back and putting his cold mask right back on.
But as Elena looked at him under the bright ballroom lights, she realized something terrifying. The contract was supposed to protect her family—but she wasn't sure who was going to protect her heart from the ruthless Ethan Blackburn.
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