Bound To The Cold Tycoon

20 : Claiming Her In Public

The charity gala glittered with chandeliers and polished marble, the kind of event Amelia had always dreaded. The eyes, the whispers, the cruel smiles—all weapons sharper than knives.

Tonight was no different.

As she entered on Alexander’s arm, a hush swept through the room. Heads turned, eyes narrowed, and whispers began to ripple.

That’s the new wife.

The scandal.

The one who trapped him.

Amelia’s grip on her clutch tightened. Every murmur pressed down on her like a weight, but Alexander’s hand remained firm at the small of her back, guiding her forward as if he hadn’t heard a single word.

Halfway through the evening, the whispers grew bolder. A woman in a glittering silver gown leaned toward her companion, loud enough for half the table to hear. “Such a shame. The Stone name tied to… that.”

The words stung, sharper than Amelia expected. She forced herself to keep her head high. But before she could respond, Alexander set down his glass with deliberate precision.

His voice carried across the table, deep and unyielding. “Careful.”

The woman froze, her eyes wide.

Alexander leaned forward, his gaze sweeping the table, cold and commanding. “Amelia Stone is my wife. Anyone who questions her, questions me. And I do not tolerate disrespect.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Amelia’s heart thundered in her chest. Never—not once—had he defended her like that. Not in private. Certainly not in public.

As the evening continued, the whispers shifted. No longer pitying or cruel, but speculative, uncertain. Some even admiring.

And through it all, Alexander stayed close, his hand lingering on her back, his presence a silent shield.

When the gala finally ended and they stepped into the cool night air, Amelia turned to him, her voice trembling. “Why did you do that?”

For a long moment, his eyes held hers, unreadable, stormy. Then his voice dropped, softer than she had ever heard it.

“Because you’re mine. And I don’t share what’s mine.”

Her breath caught, her heart twisting in both fear and longing.

For the first time, Alexander had claimed her—not just in contracts or cold arrangements—but before the world.

And that changed everything.