Chapter 8

As Isabella exited the limousine with her arm wrapped in Xander's, the night was filled with camera flashes and curious whispers. The crowd's shout and the paparazzi's dazzling lights welcomed them, anxious to document every moment of the new power couple's first public appearance.

With his palm lightly pressing on her lower back, Xander muttered, "Smile." "We are the centre of attention tonight."

With a beautiful smile that had been on countless magazine covers in her previous life, Isabella raised her chin. However, the stakes were bigger this time. The city's elite circles were already hearing the rumours that followed their abrupt marriage: why had they been married so soon? What did they have to conceal?

Isabella felt as though a hundred eyes were watching them as they made their way to the enormous ballroom's entrance, each one attempting to solve the riddle of their union. Even though she had planned for this, she couldn't help but feel a peculiar mixture of excitement and apprehension as she stood next to Xander, his presence commanding every inch of the room.

Gold and crystal flooded the hall, and luxury was evident everywhere. The smell of pricey perfumes and the faint murmur of discussion filled the air. As they moved through the crowd, Xander and Isabella were occasionally the focus of the gazes of powerful men and women.

As they greeted another couple, Xander whispered, "You're doing well," his lips grazing her ear. She felt a chill from his breath, but she quickly covered it up with another well-practiced smile.

Despite her racing heart, she responded coolly, "I've been in the spotlight before."

But not like this," he added, his tone tinged with something sinister that alluded to the peril lurking beneath his world's surface.

Isabella observed Xander's ability to demand respect with ease as they made their way through the crowd. As he went by, men nodded in recognition, and ladies gave her interested looks, some of them filled with jealousy. She became aware of his immense power and the enemies that accompanied it.

They came to a halt near a table occupied by several of Xander's colleagues. One man rose up to greet them as they got closer, his smile calculating and narrow. Marcus Steele was Xander's opponent, and his business operations were as dubious as they were lucrative. Isabella had done her research; Marcus was a fascinating character who took great pleasure in crushing his rivals.

"Xander," Marcus responded fluidly, his gaze straying to Isabella and back to Xander. And this had to be Isabella, who is so beautiful. Congratulations are due.

"Thank you, Marcus," Xander said in a courteous but cold tone. "You must have heard the news."

Marcus said, "Oh, I've heard plenty," with a smile that stopped short of his eyes. "I simply didn't think you would settle down that fast. However, nothing in this industry shocks me.

Isabella sensed the two men's tension, a faint undertone of competition that went beyond business. Playing her part, she gave Marcus a charming smile. "These past few weeks have been exciting."

Marcus responded, his eyes lingering on her for a bit too long, "I'm sure." "But marriage is never just personal in this world, is it?"

Isabella interrupted before Xander could reply, her voice light yet steely. "I'd like to think that even in business, some things are still sacred."

Marcus laughed, obviously finding her answer amusing. "A principled woman." That appeals to me.

As a tacit reminder that now was not the moment to confront the man in front of them, Xander's grasp tightened ever so slightly around her waist. Isabella was not going to play the silent wife, even if she understood. Yes, she did have a part to play, but she wasn't here to be overlooked.

Xander leaned down and said softly as they went on to the next group. "Be cautious around Marcus. You don't want to hurt his feelings.

"I wasn't trying to rile him up," Isabella remarked calmly. "I was defending myself."

A faint smile crossed Xander's lips. "I observed."

Champagne, handshakes, and introductions dominated the remainder of the evening. Isabella sensed the tension in the room, though, beneath the surface. Power struggles, rivalries, and shifting alliances abound in Xander's universe. Although she was aware of this before entering, it was a whole other experience to go through it directly.

Isabella was both tired and excited by the time they left the event. She knew this was just the beginning, but they had made it through their first public appearance together as a married couple. Now they had the entire world watching them, and their every action would be closely examined.

Xander was silent, staring out the window as the car drew away from the event. For a minute, Isabella regarded him, attempting to interpret what was going through those dark, unreadable eyes.

The silence was broken when he finally remarked, "You handled yourself well tonight."

Isabella said, "I'm used to being in the spotlight," but she was aware that this evening had been unique. Power and survival were at stake here, not merely outward appearances.

Xander turned to her and said, "You're in deeper than you realise." "This world is unlike anything you have ever encountered."

She confidently stated, "I can handle it," looking him in the eye.

They shared a moment, tinged with something neither of them could quite put their finger on. Before she could respond, Xander came closer and planted a kiss on her lips that was both unexpected and powerful.

Isabella stopped for a second, taken aback by how intense the kiss was. But then something inside of her exploded, and she kissed him back with equal vigour, their bodies crushed together in the car's backseat, her hands tangled in his hair. It was a kiss that reflected all of their unsaid conflict, a struggle of wills and wants that neither could ignore any longer.

They were both breathing heavily and staring at each other when they eventually separated.

Isabella remarked, hardly raising her voice above a whisper, "This makes no difference."

A menacing smile twisted Xander's lips. "We'll see."

Isabella wondered how much control she actually had as the car drove on through the shadowy streets. She had thought she was playing the game, but now, with Xander’s kiss still burning on her lips, she wasn’t so sure.