Title: The Billionaire’s Cold Contract

Chapter 3: The Gala Night

CHAPTER 3

The next few days passed in a quiet, tense routine. Clara woke up early every morning, dressed simply but neatly, and was always downstairs exactly on time for breakfast. Ethan was always there too — handsome, cold, silent, treating her like she was invisible, or just a piece of furniture in his house. They ate together, sat together, but never spoke more than a few necessary words. It was exhausting, playing this role of a happy, loving wife while being treated like a stranger, but Clara held her head high and endured it. She reminded herself every single minute why she was here: Mom. Just one year. Save her.

On Thursday evening, Mrs. Collins knocked on her door with a box in her hands.

“Miss Bennett, these were sent for you. Mr. Hayes ordered them specifically for tomorrow night,” she said, placing the box on the bed. “Tomorrow is the Annual Business Gala. It is the biggest event of the year for Mr. Hayes and the company. Every powerful person, every business partner, every famous name in the city will be there. You must look perfect, behave perfectly, and stay exactly by Mr. Hayes’ side the entire time. No mistakes.”

When Mrs. Collins left, Clara opened the box carefully. Inside was a breathtaking dress: deep emerald green, silk material, fitting tightly at the waist and flowing down to the floor with soft folds. It was elegant, expensive, and incredibly beautiful. Along with it were matching shoes, a small shining necklace, and earrings. Everything was chosen perfectly — not too much, not too little, exactly what a billionaire’s wife should wear.

Clara touched the soft fabric gently. He really does everything perfectly, she thought with a mix of anger and admiration. He treats me like dirt, but he makes sure I look like a queen. Just for show. Everything is just for show.

The next evening, at exactly 6:00 PM, Clara stood in front of the big mirror in her room, ready.

She had styled her hair up high, leaving a few soft strands falling around her face and neck. She wore the green dress, the simple but shining jewelry, and light makeup that made her big brown eyes stand out even more. She looked at her reflection and barely recognized herself. She looked stunning, noble, and confident — nothing like the simple, poor girl she had been just a few weeks ago.

This is all a mask, she told herself firmly. Don’t forget who you really are.

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Ethan walked in.

He was wearing a black tailored tuxedo that fit his broad body perfectly, making him look taller, stronger, and incredibly handsome. He was the kind of man who commanded attention just by walking into a room — powerful, rich, mysterious, and dangerous.

His dark eyes immediately found hers in the mirror. He stopped and looked at her, scanning her slowly from head to toe. For a long moment, he said nothing. His eyes darkened, and something flashed deep inside them — surprise, admiration, and a heat he quickly tried to hide.

She looks… incredible, he thought, his heart beating faster for reasons he did not understand and did not like. Far too beautiful. Far too dangerous for me.

He cleared his throat and spoke in his usual cold, distant tone.

“You look… suitable. Good enough. Do not let it go to your head.”

Clara turned to face him, her expression calm and unimpressed. “Don’t worry, Mr. Hayes. I know exactly who I am and what I am here for. My appearance is just part of the job, nothing more.”

Ethan frowned slightly, annoyed again by her attitude. He hated that she never reacted to him, never tried to please him, never showed she cared. He hated that she was so… indifferent to him.

“Good. Let’s go. The car is waiting. Remember the rules: smile, hold my arm, answer only what is asked, stay close. If you mess this up, you know the consequences.”

He offered his arm stiffly. Clara took it gently, feeling the hard muscle and warmth under her hand. Her heart skipped a beat — a reaction she hated and tried to ignore.

They walked down the stairs, out of the big house, and into the waiting black luxury car.

The drive was silent. Ethan sat beside her, looking out the window, his face serious and dark. Clara watched him secretly. She wondered what he was thinking, what kind of pain made him so cold, so closed off to everyone. She remembered what his grandfather said about a woman from his past — the one who hurt him, who only wanted his money.

He is hurt, she realized suddenly. Under all that arrogance and ice, he is just a man who was badly hurt, and now he is scared to let anyone close again.

But she shook the thought away. It doesn’t matter. He is cruel to me. He treats me like nothing. I don’t care about his pain.

When they arrived at the big hotel where the Gala was held, the noise and lights hit them immediately. Reporters stood outside, cameras flashing everywhere, bright lights, loud voices. It was overwhelming.

Ethan stepped out first, then turned and helped Clara out. The moment they stood together, the cameras went wild.

“Mr. Hayes! Over here!”

“Who is the beautiful lady?”

“Is this your wife? She is stunning!”

Ethan smiled — a perfect, charming, public smile that never reached his eyes. He wrapped his arm tightly around Clara’s waist, pulling her close to his side. He looked at the cameras, proud and powerful.

“Yes, this is my wife, Clara. She is the most beautiful woman here tonight, isn’t she?”

He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, sounding like a man deeply in love. Clara smiled too, leaning into him, playing her part perfectly. Inside, she felt cold and empty. All lies. Everything is a lie.

They walked through the crowd, entering the big ballroom. It was huge, bright, full of rich people, famous faces, music, and laughter. Everyone turned to look as Ethan Hayes walked in — the most powerful, richest young man in the city. And everyone looked at Clara too — wondering who she was, where she came from, how she caught his eye.

Ethan introduced her to partners, friends, important people. Clara spoke politely, smiled, answered questions, and impressed everyone with her grace and intelligence. She was doing so well, even Ethan was surprised. She was better at this than he expected.

But as the night went on, Clara noticed something changing. Ethan became more tense, more quiet, his grip on her waist tighter. He was looking toward the entrance, his eyes dark and hard.

She followed his gaze… and her heart sank.

Walking in, surrounded by people and looking incredibly beautiful, elegant, and confident, was a woman. She had long blonde hair, perfect makeup, and wore a sparkling silver dress that cost more than Clara’s whole life savings. She was stunning, the kind of woman who turns every head in the room.

And she was walking straight toward them.

Ethan’s whole body stiffened. His face went pale, then dark with anger and pain.

“Ethan,” the woman said, her voice soft, sweet, and dangerous as she stopped right in front of them. She smiled, looking him up and down like she owned him. “It has been so long. You look… exactly the same. Still as handsome and cold as ever.”

She turned her eyes slowly to Clara, looking at her with sharp, judgmental eyes, like she was looking at something cheap and worthless.

“And who is this? The new toy you are playing with?”

Ethan stepped slightly in front of Clara, protecting her instinctively — a move he didn’t even realize he made.

“Elena,” he said, his voice low, cold, and full of warning. “Watch your words. This is my wife, Clara. And you… you are nothing to me anymore. Remember that.”

Elena laughed softly, a cruel, knowing sound. She looked back at Ethan, her eyes shining with ambition and challenge.

“Wife? Oh, Ethan… you and I both know what kind of ‘wife’ you usually choose. And we both know that no one can ever replace me. I am back now… and I always get what I want. Always.”

She leaned closer to him, whispering so only they could hear:

“I am not going anywhere, Ethan. And you will be mine again. Just like before. You know you can never forget me.”

With one last sharp look at Clara — a look that said you don’t stand a chance — Elena turned and walked away into the crowd, leaving tension and fear behind her.

Clara stood frozen, her heart beating fast. She looked up at Ethan. His face was dark, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes full of pain and anger. The past she heard about, the woman who broke his heart… was here. She was back. And she was dangerous.

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He looked down at Clara, and for the first time, she saw real fear in his eyes. Not fear for himself… but fear for her.

“Stay close to me,” he said, his voice rough and low. “Do not speak to her. Do not go near her. She is dangerous, Clara. She will try to hurt you, to ruin everything. Just… stay by my side. Please.”

The word please slipped out quietly, surprising them both.

Clara looked at him. She saw the pain, the hurt, the man hiding behind the cold mask. And suddenly, her own anger toward him melted just a little. She realized this wasn’t just a game anymore. Elena was here, and this contract marriage was now in real danger.

She stood taller, straightened her shoulders, and smiled at him — a real, brave smile.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Hayes. I am not afraid of her. I am here to do a job, and I will protect our agreement. I am not going anywhere, and I am not letting anyone ruin this for me.”

Ethan looked at her, surprised again by her strength, her bravery, her loyalty. For the first time, he didn’t see a poor girl he hired… he saw a partner. Someone strong enough to stand beside him, even when the worst part of his past came back to haunt him.

And deep inside, something shifted. The ice around his heart cracked just a little bit more.

As the music played and the party went on around them, they stood together — the cold billionaire and the brave girl — facing the biggest threat to their agreement, and realizing that this fake marriage had just become much more complicated, much more dangerous… and strangely, much more real.

And Elena, watching them from across the room, smiled a cold, satisfied smile. She loved a challenge. And she was determined to tear them apart, no matter what it took.