The invitation arrived in a white envelope embossed with gold: The Annual Stone Foundation Gala.
A night of influence, money, and eyes. The kind of night where reputations were made or broken especially for women married into wealth.
Amelia stared at the card for a long time before setting it on the vanity.
A knock came.
"Come in," she said.
It was Ruth, the maid who had quietly become Amelia's closest ally in the house.
"Mr. Stone asked if you'd be ready by seven," Ruth said gently. "The car will be waiting."
"He wants me there?"
"Yes, ma'am. He said specifically you are to accompany him."
Amelia blinked. "Thank you, Ruth."
Ruth smiled faintly. "Do you know what you'll be wearing?"
She didn't. Not yet.
But she would.
When Amelia walked down the stairs just before seven, silence fell.
She wore a floor-length black satin gown that hugged her curves with quiet authority. The neckline dipped just enough to whisper elegance not scream it. Her hair was swept into a smooth low bun, a pair of diamond earrings her wedding gift from Alexander catching the chandelier light with every step.
Alexander stood waiting at the foot of the stairs. Dressed in a crisp black tuxedo, he looked every bit the billionaire CEO.
But when he saw her, his expression shifted.
His jaw tightened slightly. His eyes swept over her with a subtle flicker of surprise then something warmer.
"You're late," he said softly.
"You're early."
He didn't reply but offered his arm.
She took it without hesitation.
They looked like the perfect power couple as they entered the black car. No one could see the war behind their eyes. The questions. The boundaries being rewritten.
The gala was held in one of the city's most elite hotels. A ballroom of chandeliers, white roses, and designer perfumes thick in the air. Men in suits. Women in couture. And all of them watching.
The moment Alexander stepped into the room, a hush followed.
But when Amelia walked beside him?
The whispers started.
Is that the new wife?
She's beautiful.
Too quiet. Too plain. She won't last long.
Veronica must be livid.
Amelia smiled politely, holding Alexander's arm a little tighter not out of fear, but intention.
She would not shrink.
Not tonight.
"Stick close," Alexander murmured. "They're not friendly."
"Neither am I," she said.
He looked at her. Briefly. Approvingly.
Then the crowd descended.
Board members. Investors. Socialites. All polite smiles and backhanded compliments.
"Mrs. Stone, how are you finding married life?"
"Quite the adjustment, I imagine."
"Alexander's a tough one, isn't he?"
She responded with grace.
"It's a challenge. But so is every worthwhile position."
"I'm adapting. And learning faster than most expect."
"Alexander isn't the only one who knows how to be tough."
That one made someone blink.
But it wasn't until dinner that the real battle began.
Veronica arrived late, of course. Wearing red an obvious statement. She looked stunning, yes, but she looked angry.
When she approached the table, the host chair beside Alexander was already taken by Amelia.
"Good evening," Veronica said smoothly.
"Veronica," Alexander said with a nod.
Amelia gave her a smile that could cut glass. "We saved you a seat across from us."
Veronica took it. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Throughout the dinner, conversations swirled about the Foundation's next global initiative, a merger deal in Singapore, the new youth scholarship program.
To everyone's surprise, Amelia didn't just sit pretty.
She spoke.
Softly. Confidently.
"The scholarship program is a beautiful concept," she said, sipping her water. "But if you want real impact, you need to target inner-city tech academies, not just elite schools. That's where untapped talent hides."
Heads turned.
The chairman raised a brow. "That's a good point. Where did you study again?"
"Columbia," Amelia replied. "Double major. Psychology and Business."
Veronica blinked.
"She also graduated top of her class," Alexander added smoothly. "I've recently tasked her with reviewing our foundation's education strategy."
Amelia almost looked at him but kept her face composed.
Veronica tried to pivot the conversation, but the tone had changed.
Amelia had earned her space at the table.
By dessert, the whispers had shifted.
She's impressive.
Maybe he married well after all.
Veronica's slipping.
When they stood to leave, Alexander placed his hand gently at the small of Amelia's back a subtle, protective gesture.
In front of everyone.
Including Veronica.
Amelia caught her reflection in a tall mirror as they walked out of the ballroom. She didn't see a girl pretending to fit in anymore.
She saw a woman who belonged.
Back in the car, the silence was heavier.
But not cold.
Just charged.
Alexander finally spoke. "You surprised them."
"I didn't come to impress them," she said, eyes on the window. "I came to be seen."
He glanced at her. "You were."
She turned to him.
"For the first time, I think I sa
w you too," she said.
Their eyes locked in the low light of the car.
Still no kiss.
Still no confession.
But something was growing.
Unspoken.
Undeniable.