Chapter 6

The banquet hall dropped into a tomb-like silence.

Nolan’s arrogant smile froze. He stared at the doorway. He stared at the man beside me. He stared at the new, sparkling diamond on my left hand.

Mrs. Marion Vale.

The name echoed through the speakers. Nolan’s brain violently rejected reality. He stumbled off the stage, pushing past the whispering crowd. He reached out to grab my wrist, trying to drag me out of the spotlight.

"Enough, Marion," Nolan hissed, his voice dangerously low. "You hired Theo Vale as a fake date to make me jealous? Fine. You got my attention. Now…