The Bentley pulled up in front of the grand gala venue.
The entire entrance was glowing with golden lights. A long red carpet stretched toward the doors, surrounded by photographers, reporters, and guests dressed in elegant evening wear.
One by one, the Blackwood family stepped out of their cars.
Iris stepped out beside Damien.
Immediately, cameras began flashing.
"Mr. Blackwood!"
"Damien! Over here!"
"Mrs. Blackwood, look this way!"
Iris instinctively smiled and turned toward the cameras.
Damien stepped beside her.
"Ready?" he murmured.
"For what?"
Before she could ask anything else, Damien placed one hand gently around her waist.
Iris stiffened slightly.
She could feel his hand resting at her waist, and suddenly, she became very aware of how close they were.
She looked up at him.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving them what they want."
Iris forced a smile toward the cameras.
"Right."
They posed together.
Damien kept his hand around her waist while Iris rested one hand lightly against his arm.
The cameras continued flashing.
"Beautiful couple!"
"Damien, look this way!"
"Iris, smile!"
Then one reporter called out:
"Damien! Give your wife a kiss!"
Iris's smile immediately faltered.
She turned toward Damien.
He looked down at her.
For a brief moment, neither of them said anything.
The cameras were still flashing around them.
Damien leaned slightly closer and quietly asked,
"Are you okay with this?"
Iris hesitated.
Then she gave the smallest nod.
Damien gave her a brief, gentle kiss before pulling back.
The photographers erupted with even more flashes.
Iris stared at him for a second, caught completely off guard.
Damien simply looked toward the cameras as though nothing had happened.
"Smile," he murmured.
Iris turned back toward the photographers, trying to compose herself.
She smiled.
But this time, it took a little more effort.
The moment they stepped inside the venue, Iris was surrounded by the elegant atmosphere of the gala.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting warm light across the grand ballroom. Tables covered in white linen filled the room, decorated with gold centrepieces and candles. Soft music played in the background as guests moved around, greeting one another and holding conversations.
Damien glanced around the room before turning toward Iris.
"I need to speak with a few people."
Iris raised an eyebrow.
"Already?"
"I'll be back."
"Do I need to follow you?"
"No."
She smiled.
"Good."
Damien looked at her for a moment.
"Stay here."
He walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
"Don't really have anywhere to go." She sighed.
Iris watched him for a few seconds before pulling out her phone.
She opened her messages with Sienna.
Iris: Are you here yet?
The reply came almost immediately.
Sienna: I'm on my way. Give me like ten minutes.
Iris sighed.
Iris: Hurry up.
Sienna: Miss me that much?
Iris rolled her eyes.
Iris: Don't flatter yourself.
She put her phone away and reached for a glass of champagne from a passing server.
She had barely taken a sip when someone approached her.
"Iris?"
She turned around.
Lucy stood there with a warm smile.
"Hey."
Iris smiled.
"Hi, Lucy."
Lucy stepped closer.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all."
Lucy glanced around the room before looking back at her.
"I actually wanted to talk to you."
Iris raised an eyebrow.
"About?"
Lucy smiled.
"Damien."
Iris nearly laughed.
"Of course."
Lucy chuckled.
"Don't worry. I'm not here to interrogate you."
"That would be a relief."
They both smiled.
Lucy motioned toward a quieter area of the ballroom.
"Come with me."
Iris followed her.
Once they were away from the crowd, Lucy turned toward her.
"So... how doesn't it feel to be married to Damien Blackwood?"
"Hm... I don't want to say hell, but I should."
They both chuckled.
"It's going to get easier." Lucy said.
"I mean, he kinda has a soft side, actually, but it's hard you reach it." Iris said.
"I've known Damien for a very long time," she began.
Iris listened quietly.
"And I know he's not exactly the easiest person to understand."
"That might be the understatement of the year."
Lucy laughed softly.
"He wasn't always like this."
Iris's expression changed slightly.
"i know, ever since Derek, right?"
Lucy smiled faintly.
"Yeah...." she paused.
"Damien used to be different. He was still serious, still protective, still stubborn..." She smiled faintly. "But he laughed more."
Iris thought about what Theo had told her.
Ever since Derek died... Damien was never the same.
She looked at Lucy.
"Losing Derek changed him," Lucy continued. "He became more guarded. He stopped letting people get close."
Iris lowered her eyes.
"That explains a lot."
Lucy smiled gently.
"And yet, I've noticed something else."
Iris looked at her.
"What?"
"Since you came into his life, he's been... different."
Iris immediately shook her head.
"Lucy, we're just following an agreement."
"I know."
Lucy smiled.
"But sometimes people don't realize how much something is changing them until it's already happened."
Iris didn't know what to say.
Lucy gave her a gentle look.
"I'm not telling you what to do. I just wanted you to know that beneath all that arrogance and control, Damien is a good person."
Iris glanced across the ballroom.
She could see Damien in the distance, surrounded by several guests, looking completely composed.
"I've seen glimpses of that," she admitted.
Lucy smiled.
"Then maybe there's hope for him yet."
Iris laughed softly.
"You really love him."
"Of course I do. He's my family."
Lucy paused before adding,
"And so are you now."
Iris looked at her.
For some reason, those words stayed with her.
"Im really sorry about Derek." Iris said.
Lucy smiled.
"Thank you." She whispered.
Lucy gave her a soft smile.
" But you don't have to apologize."
"I know. I just..." Iris paused, searching for the right words. "I can't imagine what it must have been like."
Lucy looked down for a moment, her fingers gently tracing the edge of the clutch in her hand.
"It wasn't easy."
Iris remained quiet, giving her space.
"Derek was a wonderful person," Lucy continued. "He was completely different from Damien. More carefree. He could walk into a room and somehow make everyone laugh."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"I think that's what I miss the most."
Iris smiled softly.
"He sounds like Theo."
Lucy laughed quietly.
"Actually, yes. Theo definitely got some of that from him."
They stood silently for a moment.
Then Lucy looked toward Damien.
"He doesn't talk about Derek much."
"I noticed."
"He keeps everything inside." Lucy sighed. "Sometimes I wish he would just talk about how he feels instead of pretending nothing affects him."
Iris glanced toward Damien again.
He was still surrounded by guests, speaking to someone with a serious expression.
"He probably thinks being vulnerable makes him weak."
Lucy looked at her.
"Exactly."
Iris smiled faintly.
"I think he's wrong."
Lucy smiled.
"Maybe you can convince him."
Iris immediately shook her head.
"That's above my pay grade."
Lucy laughed.
Before she could respond, a familiar voice came from behind them.
"Am I interrupting?"
Iris turned.
Sienna stood there, dressed in a sleek midnight-black off-the-shoulder gown with a fitted bodice and a flowing floor-length skirt. The dress had subtle silver beaded detailing along the neckline and waist, catching the light whenever she moved.
She paired it with silver strappy heels and a small black satin clutch with a silver clasp.
Her hair was styled in long, glossy waves, swept over one shoulder, and she wore delicate silver drop earrings and a simple matching bracelet.
Her makeup was elegant and soft—defined eyes, glowing skin, and a deep rose lip, a smile spreading across her face.
"You finally made it."
Sienna laughed.
"I said ten minutes."
"You took forever."
"The paparazzi really wanted to get a picture of beauty." Sienna smiled.
Lucy smiled at her.
"It's good to see you again, Sienna."
Sienna smiled warmly.
"You too, Lucy."
Lucy looked between the two women.
"I'll let you two catch up."
She gave Iris a gentle smile before walking away.
Sienna watched her leave.
Then, she turned toward Iris.
"Okay... what did I miss?"
Iris sighed.
"A lot."
Sienna raised an eyebrow.
"Does this have something to do with your husband?"
Iris glanced across the ballroom.
Damien was still there.
And just as if he could feel her looking at him, his eyes suddenly found hers.
Their gazes met across the crowded room.
Neither looked away immediately.
Sienna followed Iris's gaze.
"Oh."
Iris quickly looked back at her.
"What?"
Sienna smirked.
"Nothing."
Iris narrowed her eyes.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
Sienna laughed.
"Come on. Let's get a drink before you start glaring at me."
Iris shook her head, smiling.
"Fine."
As they walked away, Iris couldn't help glancing back once more.
Damien was still watching her.
The music gradually softened as the lights in the ballroom dimmed.
Guests began making their way toward their assigned tables.
Sienna looked around.
"Come on. I think they're about to start."
Iris nodded.
"Finally."
The two of them walked toward the Blackwood family's table, where Eleanor, Richard, Alexander, Victoria, Theo, Lucy, and Sarah were already seated.
Iris took the seat beside Sienna while Damien sat on Iris's other side.
She glanced at him.
"You made it."
Damien looked at her.
"I told you I'd be back."
"Surprisingly, you kept your word."
He gave her a brief look before turning his attention toward the stage.
Sienna leaned closer to Iris.
"I like the fact that you two already have married-couple sarcasm down."
Iris quietly laughed.
Before she could respond, Sienna noticed someone across the room.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Oh."
Iris followed her gaze.
Adrian was standing near one of the tables, talking to a few guests.
Sienna smiled and lifted her hand, giving him a small wave.
Adrian noticed her almost immediately.
He smiled and waved back.
Iris slowly turned toward Sienna.
Then she grinned.
"Hmm."
Sienna looked at her.
"What?"
"You waved at Adrian."
"So?"
"And he waved back."
"He's being polite."
Iris raised an eyebrow.
"Sure."
Sienna rolled her eyes.
"Don't start."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
Iris smiled innocently.
"Maybe."
Across the table, Theo overheard them and chuckled.
"You two are already causing trouble."
Sienna laughed.
"She's the troublemaker."
Iris gasped.
"Excuse me?"
Before their argument could continue, the lights dimmed further.
Everyone turned toward the stage.
The host stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?"
The ballroom gradually fell silent.
The host smiled.
"Tonight is a very special evening for the Blackwood family, and everyone connected to the Blackwood International Group."
Iris looked toward Damien.
He sat perfectly still, his expression calm.
Richard slowly stood from his seat.
The room filled with applause.
"Please welcome, the CEO of Blackwood International Group, Mr Richard Blackwood."
He walked toward the stage and took his place behind the podium.
The room was filled with applause.
He looked out at the crowd before beginning.
"Good evening, everyone."
The room quieted.
"Tonight isn't simply a celebration. It is the beginning of a new chapter for the Blackwood Group."
Iris listened carefully.
"For decades, this company has been built on hard work, determination, and a commitment to excellence. My father built the foundation, and my family continued to carry that legacy forward."
He glanced briefly toward Alexander.
Alexander gave a small nod.
Richard continued.
"But every legacy eventually reaches a moment when it must be passed to the next generation."
The room grew even quieter.
Richard's eyes moved toward Damien.
"And tonight, that moment has arrived."
Applause began to rise through the ballroom.
Damien remained seated, his expression unreadable.
Richard smiled.
"My son, Damien Blackwood, has spent years preparing himself for this responsibility. He has worked alongside our executives, led major projects, and proven time and again that he is ready to take the company forward."
Iris looked at Damien.
For the first time that evening, she noticed something different in his expression.
Pride.
Not arrogance.
Not control.
Pride.
Richard continued.
"So tonight, it is my honour to officially announce that Damien Blackwood will become the new Chief Executive Officer of the Blackwood Group."
The ballroom erupted in applause as everyone stood.
Damien stood and walked over to the podium.
Everyone at the Blackwood table rose with him.
Iris stood too.
She looked at him as the applause continued.
Damien nodded respectfully toward the crowd before looking toward his family.
His eyes briefly met Iris's.
And for just a moment, she smiled at him.
Not because they had to pretend.
But because she was genuinely proud of him.
Damien reached the center of the stage as the applause continued around him.
He took the microphone from his father.
Slowly, the guests began settling back into their seats.
One by one, the ballroom quieted until every pair of eyes was fixed on him.
Damien stood beneath the warm golden lights, his expression calm and composed.
He glanced briefly toward his family.
Then his eyes found Iris.
She was still standing beside her chair.
Their eyes met.
Damien gave her the smallest nod.
Iris smiled before sitting down.
Damien turned back toward the audience.
"Thank you."
The ballroom fell completely silent.
Damien took a breath.
"Blackwood International Group has never been about one person."
His voice was steady, confident.
"It was built by generations of people who believed that success isn't simply about what you achieve, but what you leave behind."
He looked toward his grandfather.
"My grandfather taught us the value of ambition. My father taught me the importance of responsibility. And my family has reminded me that no matter how far we go, we never forget where we started."
Alexander gave a small nod.
Damien continued.
"Taking over this company is an honor. But it's also a responsibility I don't take lightly."
His gaze moved across the room.
"Blackwood International Group has grown into a global organization, and I intend to make sure that growth continues."
A few guests smiled and nodded.
"I won't promise that the road ahead will always be easy."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"But I can promise that I will give this company everything I have."
Iris watched him quietly.
For the first time that evening, she wasn't looking at Damien as the man she'd been forced to marry.
She was looking at the man who had spent years preparing for this moment.
Damien lifted his glass from the small table beside him.
"But before we look toward the future, I want to acknowledge the people who made this moment possible."
He raised his glass.
"To my family."
The Blackwoods lifted their glasses.
"To everyone who has worked tirelessly to build and strengthen Blackwood International Group."
More glasses rose around the ballroom.
"And to the future."
Damien paused.
His eyes briefly found Iris again.
"To new beginnings, greater possibilities, and the legacy we're still building."
He lifted his glass higher.
"To Blackwood International Group."
The ballroom responded as hundreds of glasses rose into the air.
"To Blackwood International Group!"
Damien took a sip.
Applause filled the room once again.
And as he lowered his glass, his eyes met Iris's across the table.
For some reason, this time, neither of them looked away.