The ballroom had fallen completely silent.
Every single pair of eyes was fixed on Elena Carter.
Or more precisely—
On the woman who had just been kissed by Alexander Knight in front of the entire elite circle of the city.
Elena's brain had officially stopped working.
Did that just happen?
Yes.
Yes it did.
Her heart was beating so loudly she was sure everyone could hear it.
Alexander, however, looked completely calm.
As if kissing his wife in front of hundreds of powerful people was just another routine business move.
Across from them, Sophia Blake stood frozen.
The elegant smile she had been wearing moments ago had vanished.
Her eyes were sharp now.
Cold.
Dangerous.
But she recovered quickly.
Sophia let out a soft laugh.
"Well," she said lightly, "I suppose that answers my question."
Elena swallowed nervously.
The tension in the air was so thick it felt like the entire room was holding its breath.
Sophia looked at Elena again, slowly examining her from head to toe.
The scrutiny was uncomfortable.
It was the kind of gaze rich socialites used when judging someone who clearly did not belong in their world.
Sophia tilted her head slightly.
"You must be very special."
Elena blinked.
"…Why?"
Sophia smiled politely.
"For Alexander to marry someone so… suddenly."
The way she emphasized the last word felt like a hidden insult.
Elena understood immediately.
Suddenly.
Meaning: unexpected.
Meaning: suspicious.
Meaning: someone like you shouldn't be here.
Elena felt her cheeks heat up.
But before she could respond—
Alexander spoke.
"That's enough, Sophia."
His voice was calm but firm.
Sophia looked at him.
"Oh? I'm just being curious."
Her eyes moved back to Elena.
"After all, the entire city just learned you have a wife."
Elena forced herself to stand straight.
She might not belong in this world.
But she refused to be humiliated in front of hundreds of strangers.
Sophia continued smoothly.
"So tell me, Elena…"
She took a sip of champagne.
"What exactly do you do?"
The question sounded innocent.
But Elena knew it wasn't.
Sophia wasn't asking out of curiosity.
She was asking to expose Elena's background.
The surrounding guests leaned closer.
Everyone wanted to know.
Who was the mysterious woman who had suddenly married Alexander Knight?
Elena hesitated for half a second.
"I work in administration," she said honestly.
A few people in the crowd exchanged glances.
Sophia's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Administration?"
Her smile widened.
"That's… humble."
The word was polite.
But the meaning behind it was not.
Elena clenched her fingers slightly.
Sophia continued sweetly.
"You must feel overwhelmed tonight."
The guests nearby chuckled softly.
"It's not easy entering a world like this."
Elena's chest tightened.
Sophia leaned a little closer.
"But don't worry," she added kindly. "If you need help adjusting, I'd be happy to guide you."
Guide you.
Meaning: teach you how to behave.
Elena suddenly realized something.
Sophia wasn't attacking directly.
She was humiliating her politely.
And that was far more dangerous.
For a moment, Elena considered staying quiet.
Let Alexander handle it.
That would be the safe option.
But then she remembered something.
Rule number two of the contract.
Maintain the appearance of a real married couple.
Which meant—
She couldn't look weak.
Elena slowly smiled.
The crowd blinked.
Because this was the first time she had shown confidence since entering the room.
"That's very kind of you," Elena said.
Sophia looked slightly surprised.
Elena continued calmly.
"But I think I'll be fine."
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Elena gently held Alexander's arm.
"After all…"
Her voice was steady now.
"My husband is very capable."
Several guests exchanged looks.
Sophia's smile stiffened slightly.
Elena went on.
"And if I ever need advice about relationships…"
Her eyes met Sophia's.
"I'll probably ask someone who successfully kept their man."
The room went completely silent.
Someone dropped a glass in the distance.
Sophia's expression froze.
The meaning of Elena's words was painfully clear.
You lost him.
The surrounding guests stared in shock.
No one had expected the quiet new wife to strike back.
Alexander looked down at Elena.
For the first time that night—
He looked genuinely impressed.
Sophia's eyes hardened.
"Well," she said slowly.
"That was unexpected."
Elena shrugged lightly.
"I'm full of surprises."
Sophia studied her carefully now.
The condescending attitude from earlier had disappeared.
She had realized something important.
Elena Carter was not as harmless as she looked.
Sophia suddenly smiled again.
But this time the smile was colder.
"Enjoy the evening, Mrs. Knight."
She turned and walked away gracefully.
The crowd slowly began whispering again.
"That was bold…"
"Did she just insult Sophia Blake?"
"She has guts…"
Elena finally exhaled.
Her legs felt like jelly.
"Did I just start a war?"
Alexander answered calmly.
"Yes."
She groaned quietly.
"Great."
Alexander took a sip of champagne.
"But you handled it well."
Elena blinked.
"…That's a compliment, right?"
"Yes."
She smiled slightly.
"Good."
But just as the tension began to fade—
A man suddenly rushed into the ballroom.
He looked pale.
Panicked.
"Mr. Knight!"
Alexander turned.
"What is it?"
The man hesitated.
"There's… a problem."
Alexander's expression darkened slightly.
"What kind of problem?"
The man swallowed nervously.
"The board members just received a message."
Elena felt a strange chill.
Alexander's voice became colder.
"From who?"
The man answered quietly.
"Your grandfather."
The entire atmosphere changed instantly.
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"What did he say?"
The man hesitated again.
Then he spoke.
"He wants to meet your wife."
Elena froze.
"…Me?"
Alexander closed his eyes briefly.
When he opened them again—
They were darker than before.
"Tonight."
The man nodded.
"Yes."
Elena's stomach dropped.
Alexander Knight's legendary grandfather.
The man who built the entire Knight empire.
The man powerful enough to control Alexander himself.
And now…
He wanted to meet her.
Elena whispered nervously.
"…Am I about to get fired from this marriage?"
Alexander looked at her.
For a moment, something almost like amusement flickered in his eyes.
Then he said quietly—
"That depends."
Elena gulped.
"On what?"
Alexander straightened his jacket.
"On whether you survive the meeting."
Elena stared at him in horror.
"YOU'RE NOT HELPING!"