Fools hath no place here

'Talon Ashwood, well renowned billionaire and business mogul, Choosing the lesser twin".

Ouch, Halo internally winced. Did they really have to put it that way?

"The press, stupid as always"

Talon scoffed, his voice not low in any way. Halo pinched his arm. They were in front of a lot of cameras clicking lights at them, he had to be careful with what he said. She didn't want this to turn south.

Talon didn't care.

"Who wrote the headline?"

He called out, her fingers resting on his arm and his eyes shooting daggers at the camera. A smile murmured slithered through the crowd. He raised his finger up and gestured for the camera's flashing in his face to be lowered.

"I repeat, who wrote the headline, the lesser twin it says?"

"Talon please" Halo cautioned, unsure of what he was planning to do next. No one gave a response, and it looked like he was running out of patience for one.

"We're leaving" he simply said.

She arched a brow,

"No, we....we only just got here"

"And I do not like it here. If we do not leave wife, that headline won't be the only thing red"

"Why are you angry about it" she harshly whispered "afterall it is me that is being referred to as the lesser twin"

"It isn't about you, it is about my ability in choosing frowned upon by some annoying little pests who deemed it fit to use their scrawny feeble fingers to make that banner"

Halo sighed, tightening her grip on his arm. Talon wasn't the type to back down, and she could already see the stubborn set of his jaw. The cameras had lowered, but the murmurs among the press only grew louder.

"Talon, walking away will only make it worse," she whispered urgently, forcing a nervous smile for the flashing cameras. "They’ll say you're running, or worse, that you regret marrying me."

His expression darkened. "And that would matter because?"

"Because it does." Her voice was firm. "Your father might be seeing this, your brother too. Let's at least make this marriage seem worth it"

His sharp gaze flickered down to her, studying her face. The soft glow of her makeup accentuated her already striking features.

Talon exhaled slowly, adjusting the cuffs of his suit. "Fine".

He turned his attention back to the press, rolling his shoulders like a man preparing for war. "Since you all are so invested in my choices, let me make one thing clear." His voice was smooth yet edged with warning.

The crowd fell silent.

"I don't make lesser choices." His eyes scanned the reporters, daring them to contradict him. "And if any of you think otherwise, feel free to take your careers elsewhere, because you’ll find no place in this world for fools."

A nervous shuffle rippled through the journalists. No one dared to speak.

Halo swallowed. That was… direct... Maybe too direct.

Talon turned to her then, his lips curling at the corners. "Shall we?"

Still stunned, she simply nodded. He took her hand, guiding her through the sea of reporters and into the building. The doors shut behind them, cutting off the noise of the outside world.

Halo exhaled, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Where are we headed?"

He smirked. "To the conference hall, where only properly scrutinized press will be present"

She huffed. "You'll select the reporters and journalists who will question us?"

"Yes" he replied, leading her to the elevators.

The moment they stepped inside, the doors slid shut, and a comfortable silence settled between them. Halo’s reflection stared back at her from the polished elevator walls. She barely recognized herself.

Talon leaned against the side, arms crossed, his gaze lazily traveling over her.

"What?" she asked, feeling self-conscious under his stare.

He tilted his head. “You seem a little tense, never been in an elevator?"

"No, but is that all you have to say for gawking at me like I took something from you?"

A deep chuckle escaped him. "What else should I say? That you stunned me? When you walked out in that dress, I momentarily forgot what I was doing?" He arched a brow, lips twitching. "Would you like me to say that?"

Halo's cheeks burned. "I-I...well....you-"

The elevator chimed, and before she could say another word, Talon stepped out, glancing over his shoulder.

Halo swallowed her words, gripping the fabric of her dress as she stepped out after him. The hallway leading to the conference room was sleek, modern, and eerily quiet. Only the soft click of her heels and the heavier strides of Talon filled the space.

As they neared the entrance, a suited man stepped forward and pushed the doors open. Inside, rows of carefully selected journalists waited, their expressions composed but expectant. Cameras were positioned at the ever ready.

Talon barely paused. He led her straight to the stage, where two chairs were arranged side by side. With effortless authority, he sat first, adjusting his cufflinks before turning to her.

"Sit," he murmured.

Halo obeyed, smoothing her dress as she lowered herself onto the chair.

A woman in a navy-blue suit, likely the moderator, stepped up. "Mr. Ashwood, Mrs. Ashwood, thank you for joining us." Her gaze flickered toward Halo briefly, assessing. "Shall we begin?"

Talon leaned back, completely at ease. “Proceed.”

•••••

The first few questions were expected, about his recent acquisitions, upcoming ventures, and the strategic future of his company. Talon answered smoothly, his voice calm, his control over the room absolute.

Then, someone directed a question at her.

"Mrs Ashwood, a lot of people were surprised when you, and not your sister, were revealed as Talon Ashwood’s bride. Many have speculated on the reason behind this choice. Would you care to elaborate?"

A hush fell over the room. Halo stiffened.

She forced a smile. "I wasn't aware my marriage required public approval."

Talon's lips curved up into a smirk.

A few reporters shifted uncomfortably, while others leaned forward in anticipation.

"Of course not," the journalist pressed, unfazed. “But given that your sister has been in the public eye for years while you’ve remained relatively unknown, many are curious as to what led Mr. Ashwood to-"

"To choose me?" Halo cut in smoothly, lifting a brow.

The journalist hesitated. "Yes."

Halo exhaled slowly. Her heart pounded, but she refused to let it show.

Talon tapped his fingers against the armrest, watching her with interest. He wasn't going to answer this one for her.

If she wanted the stage,

She would have to deal with the spotlight.

And he was low-key curious to hear what she would say next.