Chapter 4: Beneath the Spotlight

Alexander Steele stared down the reporters, his mind racing as the unexpected question hung in the air: “Is your marriage a pretence?” He felt a sudden surge of anger, but his face stayed emotionless. He was skilled at concealing his feelings, but this was a unique situation where one mistake could undo all his efforts.

The cameras snapped continuously, with the lights flashing as fast as lightning bolts. Isabella stood next to him, her hand shaking slightly as he held it. Alexander glanced at her, searching for a clue to her thoughts, but her face was a mask of defiance.

“The only thing shameless here,” Alexander said finally, his voice steady and cold, “is Richard Steele’s desperation. My wife and I have nothing to prove.”

Before the reporters could throw another question, Alexander’s security team moved in, creating a path through the chaos. He tugged Isabella’s hand, leading her toward the waiting car. She followed, her chin held high, but Alexander could feel the tension burning from her.

After getting in the car, Isabella released a sigh of frustration. "What on earth was that?"

Alexander did not respond right away. His gaze was fixed on the window, his thoughts racing intensely. He finally said, "That was Richard attempting to subvert me." “I mean us.”

Isabella’s eyes narrowed. “So, what’s your plan? Because I’m not going to be dragged into your family drama without a strategy.”

Alexander turned to her, his gaze sharp. “My plan is simple: we act the part. In every public appearance and private occasion, we sell this marriage. If we fail, we lose everything. Do you understand that?”

“We lose everything?” Isabella scoffed. “Let’s not pretend this is an equal arrangement. You’re the one with an empire to protect.”

“And you’re the one who insisted on those clauses,” Alexander shot back. “You have just as much at stake.”

A dense and stifling silence descended upon them. Isabella gazed out the window with crossed arms while the city blurred by.

Later that night, the Steele penthouse was turned into a site for a private dinner gathering. A mix of corporate sharks, influential socialites, and potential allies filled the room, each one a pawn in Alexander’s carefully constructed game.

Isabella stood near the grand staircase, a vision in a crimson gown that hugged her curves. The dress had been Alexander’s choice, delivered to her suite with a note that simply read, “Wear this.” She hated the implication of control, but she wore it anyway, knowing the stakes were too high to let pride interfere.

While the guests socialized, Alexander effortlessly navigated the room, seamlessly conversing with a mix of friendly greetings and subtle threats. However, his thoughts were focused elsewhere as he replayed the scene that occurred outside the courthouse. Richard's challenge wasn't only a nightmare, it was an act of assault.

"Sweetheart," Clara's voice interrupted his train of thought. She appeared at his side, her smile as sharp as the diamond necklace adorning her neck. “You’ve outdone yourself tonight. But tell me, how’s your blushing bride handling the spotlight?”

Alexander’s jaw tightened with a sparkling smile. “She’s doing fine.”

“Is she?” Clara’s eyes flicked toward Isabella, who was engaged in a conversation with a group of socialites. “She looks like a lamb among wolves. I hope she doesn’t crack under the pressure.”

“She won’t,” Alexander said firmly, though doubt gnawed at the edges of his confidence.

Meanwhile, Isabella was navigating her minefield. The socialites bombarded her with thinly indirect barbs disguised as questions.

“How does it feel to marry into such wealth?” one asked, her smile dripping with disdain.

“Have you adjusted to the lifestyle?” another chimed in.

Isabella met their gazes with unwavering confidence. “Wealth is relative,” she said coolly. “What matters is how you handle it.”

The group exchanged amused glances, clearly unimpressed. But Isabella refused to let their disdain faze her. She had experienced much worse in her lifetime.

As the night progressed, tension bubbled beneath the sleek exterior of the event. Alexander found himself pulled into a conversation with Richard, who had arrived uninvited but was too powerful to eject.

"An impressive sight, young relative," Richard remarked, his voice oozing with mockery. Can you describe the experience of showcasing a woman as a prize?”.

Alexander's hand closed tightly next to his body. “Be careful, Richard. You’re toeing a wrong line.”

Richard’s smirk widened. “Am I? Or are you simply afraid that the truth will come out?”

Before Alexander was able to reply, a commotion broke out by the entrance. A man stormed into the room, his face flushed with anger. All eyes turned toward him as he stormed toward Isabella with a loud voice screaming to the amazement of everyone present.

“You think you can just disappear and leave me behind?” the man shouted, his voice echoing through the room.

Isabella’s face went pale as recognition dawned. “Greg?”

The room fell into stunned silence as a graveyard, the man, and her ex-boyfriend closed the distance between them.

“You used me, Isabella,” Greg spat. “You played me, and now you’re living the high life with him?” He jabbed a finger toward Alexander, who had already stood toward them.

“That’s enough,” Alexander said, his voice a low growl.

Greg ignored him, his focus locked on Isabella. "He said, you are just a liar." "And I won't allow you to escape the consequences."

Isabella felt her heart race as she absorbed the gravity of Greg's words. The critical gazes of the guests made her feel uncomfortable, their whispers cutting into her like sharp knives.

Alexander instructed his security team to remove him from the premises.

Greg was dragged away, still shouting obscenities, but the damage was done. The meticulously constructed facade of their marriage was destroyed in front of their key supporters.

After the party was over, Alexander and Isabella remained in the living room salience without talking to each other, their tension palpable and electric.

After some minutes “Do you care to explain?” Alexander asked his voice dangerously calm.

Isabella mentioned that she was unaware he would arrive, her voice shaking.

"Did you not?"Alexander stepped closer, his anger barely contained. “Because it looks to me like you’re hiding something. And if you are, I need to know now.”

Isabella gazed at him, feeling torn between anger and fear. She tried to speak, but no words escaped her lips. What secrets is Isabella hiding, and how will they impact the fragile alliance between her and Alexander?