UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
1581 Words
Chapter 14 – Under the Spotlight.
A week after their wedding, an elegant black invitation embossed with gold lettering arrived at Carter Manor.
Olivia was enjoying tea with William in the garden when Mr. Harris approached carrying a silver tray.
"Mr. Carter asked me to give this to you, Mrs. Carter."
Olivia accepted the envelope.
"What is it?"
William smiled before she even opened it.
"I already know."
She unfolded the invitation and read it quietly.
The Carter Foundation Annual Charity Gala.
Her eyes widened.
"I have to attend this?"
William nodded.
"As Mrs. Carter, you'll be beside Ethan at every major charity event."
Olivia looked a little nervous.
"I've never been to anything like this."
William reached over and patted her hand.
"You'll do wonderfully."
Just then, Ethan walked into the garden after returning from work.
He loosened his tie as he approached them.
"You've seen the invitation."
Olivia looked up.
"I have."
"Are you alright?"
She hesitated before answering honestly.
"I don't know how people at those events behave."
"They'll probably spend more time watching us than talking."
Her eyes widened.
"Watching us?"
He nodded calmly.
"We're newly married."
William laughed.
"The entire city is curious about the woman who married Ethan Carter."
Olivia sighed dramatically.
"No pressure."
The two men laughed.
That evening, Ethan drove Olivia to one of the city's most exclusive fashion houses.
The moment they entered, the owner herself hurried forward.
"Mr. Carter."
She smiled warmly.
"It's wonderful to see you again."
Ethan nodded.
"My wife needs a gown for the Carter Foundation Gala."
The owner's eyes immediately moved to Olivia.
A warm smile spread across her face.
"So this is the beautiful Mrs. Carter."
Olivia smiled politely.
"It's nice to meet you."
"My name is Isabella."
She gently took Olivia's hands.
"I've been looking forward to dressing you."
Within minutes, assistants rolled in racks filled with breathtaking evening gowns.
There were gowns in sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red, silver, champagne gold, and classic black.
Olivia looked completely overwhelmed.
"There are so many."
"There are never too many beautiful dresses," Isabella replied with a smile.
One by one, Olivia tried them on.
Each dress suited her beautifully.
When she stepped out wearing a deep emerald gown, the assistants applauded.
"Stunning."
"The color makes her eyes sparkle."
Isabella smiled but shook her head.
"Beautiful."
She looked thoughtfully at Olivia.
"But not perfect."
She disappeared into another room.
A few moments later she returned carrying a garment bag.
"I've been saving this design."
She carefully unzipped the bag.
Inside was an elegant midnight-blue gown covered with delicate crystal embroidery that shimmered like stars against the night sky.
The room fell silent.
Olivia stared at it.
"It's beautiful."
"It's yours," Isabella said.
After helping Olivia into the gown, the assistants stepped back.
The entire room became quiet.
Olivia slowly turned toward the mirror.
The fitted bodice highlighted her graceful figure before flowing into a soft skirt that moved like water with every step.
The tiny crystals reflected the light beautifully without looking excessive.
She looked elegant.
Sophisticated.
Timeless.
Even Isabella smiled with satisfaction.
"I knew it."
"It's perfect."
Olivia looked toward Ethan.
"What do you think?"
For several seconds...
He simply looked at her.
His eyes slowly traveled from the sparkling gown to her face.
She looked breathtaking.
Without makeup artists.
Without photographers.
Without a wedding veil.
Just...
Beautiful.
Daniel quietly cleared his throat.
"Sir?"
Ethan finally realized everyone was waiting for his answer.
He looked directly into Olivia's eyes.
"I think..."
He paused.
"...everyone at the gala is going to forget they're there for charity."
A blush spread across Olivia's cheeks.
"So... you like it?"
He smiled faintly.
"I do."
Isabella laughed happily.
"Then we've found the dress."
The assistants began making small adjustments while Olivia changed back into her clothes.
As they left the fashion house, she looked at Ethan.
"You've called me beautiful a lot lately."
He looked at her.
"Have I?"
She nodded with a playful smile.
"I've been counting."
For once...
Ethan didn't deny it.
Instead, the corner of his mouth lifted into a quiet smile.
"Maybe I'm just telling the truth."
Olivia felt her heart skip a beat.
She quickly looked away to hide the smile spreading across her face.
As they climbed into the waiting Rolls-Royce, neither of them noticed William watching from the mansion balcony through a pair of binoculars he often used to admire the gardens.
He lowered them with a satisfied smile.
"They're falling in love..."
He whispered to himself.
"They just haven't realized it yet."
The Carter Foundation Charity Gala was only one day away.
Neither Ethan nor Olivia knew that tomorrow night would be the first time the entire city would see them not as a billionaire and his contract wife...
But as one of the most admired couples in the country
The following evening, Carter Manor was filled with quiet excitement as the household prepared for the Carter Foundation Charity Gala.
Luxury cars waited outside while staff made final preparations.
Inside her dressing room, Olivia stood in front of the mirror as Sophia carefully adjusted the last folds of her midnight-blue gown.
The tiny crystals sparkled like stars whenever she moved.
Sophia stepped back and smiled.
"I knew this was the right dress."
A hairstylist pinned the final strand of Olivia's hair into a graceful low bun, leaving a few soft curls framing her face. Another stylist fastened a pair of diamond earrings that William had gifted her as a wedding present.
When everything was finished, Sophia turned her toward the mirror.
"There."
Olivia stared at her reflection.
She barely recognized herself.
The woman in the mirror looked graceful, elegant, and confident.
"You look amazing," Sophia whispered.
"I've never felt like this before," Olivia admitted.
"Get used to it."
Just then, there was a gentle knock.
"Mrs. Carter," Mr. Harris said from outside the door. "Mr. Carter is waiting."
Olivia took a deep breath.
"I'm coming."
She slowly walked down the grand staircase.
At the bottom stood Ethan.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, he looked every bit the powerful billionaire everyone admired.
He heard the sound of footsteps and looked up.
The moment he saw Olivia...
He forgot where he was.
The hall seemed to disappear.
She looked absolutely breathtaking.
The gown hugged her figure perfectly, while the soft smile on her face made her even more beautiful.
For several long seconds...
He couldn't look away.
Olivia reached the last step.
She smiled nervously.
"Is... is something wrong?"
Ethan slowly shook his head.
"No."
"You've been staring."
"I'm aware."
She laughed softly.
"Then?"
He took one step closer.
"You look..."
He searched for the right words.
"...absolutely stunning."
Olivia felt warmth spread across her cheeks.
"Thank you."
William, who had been watching from the sitting room, smiled proudly.
"If the two of you keep staring at each other, you'll be late."
Both of them looked away, slightly embarrassed.
The drive to the gala venue was peaceful.
As the Rolls Royce approached the grand hotel, camera flashes became visible from a distance.
Reporters lined both sides of the red carpet.
Luxury cars continued arriving one after another.
"The Carters are here!"
"They've arrived!"
The moment Ethan stepped out of the car, photographers rushed forward.
Then he turned and held out his hand.
Olivia placed her hand in his.
She stepped out gracefully.
The crowd instantly fell silent.
Then came an explosion of camera flashes.
"Oh my God..."
"She's gorgeous."
"Mrs. Carter is even more beautiful than the wedding photographs."
"No wonder Ethan can't stop looking at her."
Olivia instinctively moved closer to Ethan.
"There are so many cameras."
He leaned slightly toward her.
"Ignore them."
"I'm trying."
Without thinking, Ethan gently placed one hand around her waist.
The simple gesture made Olivia relax.
Together they walked down the red carpet.
Guests turned to admire them.
Several business executives greeted Ethan with respect before introducing themselves to Olivia.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Carter."
"We've heard wonderful things about you."
Olivia greeted each person warmly, remembering names whenever she could.
Her kindness quickly impressed everyone.
One elderly businesswoman whispered to her friend,
"She's not only beautiful."
"She has wonderful manners."
Another guest smiled.
"She carries herself like she's been attending events like this for years."
As they entered the ballroom, soft classical music filled the air.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated hundreds of elegantly dressed guests.
Olivia looked around in amazement.
"It's beautiful."
Ethan watched her instead of the ballroom.
"It is."
She turned toward him.
"You weren't looking at the room."
"No."
"What were you looking at?"
He met her eyes.
"You."
Before she could respond, the host stepped onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Ethan Carter and Mrs. Olivia Carter."
The audience applauded warmly.
Every eye in the ballroom turned toward them.
For the first time, Olivia wasn't introduced as an ordinary young woman.
She was introduced as Mrs. Olivia Carter.
Standing beside Ethan, she smiled confidently.
She belonged there.
Not because of wealth.
Not because of her dress.
But because of the kindness, grace, and quiet strength that had already begun winning people's hearts.
As Ethan looked at her accepting everyone's greetings with genuine warmth, one unexpected thought crossed his mind.
He had entered a contract marriage to satisfy his grandfather
Somewhere along the way
He had started looking forward to every moment he spent with Olivia.
And for the first time.
That realization made him smile.
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