That evening, Emily stood outside the large dining hall inside the Knight family mansion.
Her hands felt slightly cold.
"This is just dinner," she whispered to herself.
But deep down, she knew it wasn't just dinner.
It was a test.
Alexander stood beside her, looking calm as always.
"Relax," he said quietly.
Emily looked at him.
"Easy for you to say. This is your family."
Alexander studied her for a moment.
Then, unexpectedly, he reached for her hand.
"Stay close to me," he said softly. "And everything will be fine."
Emily's heart skipped a beat.
Before she could respond, the large doors opened.
A long table filled the room, with at least fifteen people already seated.
Every pair of eyes immediately turned toward them.
Emily suddenly felt like she was standing on a stage.
Alexander walked forward confidently, still holding her hand.
"Good evening," he said calmly.
Whispers quickly spread across the table.
"Is that really his wife?"
"When did he get married?"
"Who is she?"
Emily tried her best to remain calm as they took their seats.
At the head of the table sat Alexander's grandfather, watching everything silently.
Sophia sat only a few seats away.
And the smile on her face made Emily nervous.
Dinner began quietly at first.
But it didn't stay peaceful for long.
One elegant woman suddenly looked at Emily.
"So," she said coldly, "what family are you from?"
Emily blinked.
"I… actually come from a small town."
Some people around the table exchanged amused glances.
"A small town?" another man repeated with a chuckle.
Sophia slowly lifted her glass.
"That explains a lot."
Emily felt her cheeks burn.
Before she could answer, the first woman spoke again.
"And what exactly do you do, Mrs. Knight?"
Emily hesitated.
"I was… looking for a job recently."
A few people laughed quietly.
The tension in the room grew heavier.
Sophia leaned forward slightly.
"How interesting," she said sweetly.
"A woman with no status, no wealth, and no career… suddenly becomes the wife of Alexander Knight."
The room fell silent.
Everyone was watching.
Emily felt humiliated.
But before she could say anything, Alexander's voice cut through the room.
"That's enough."
The table went quiet instantly.
Alexander looked directly at Sophia, his expression cold.
"Emily is my wife," he said firmly.
"And anyone who disrespects her… disrespects me."
The room fell completely silent.
Even Sophia looked surprised.
But Alexander's grandfather was watching carefully.
And slowly…
A faint smile appeared on his face.