Forced Marriage, Hidden Scandal

against the marble floors. The room was filled with city elites-powerful figures who, behind their smiles, were just as dangerous as

ith practiced ease. There was something chilling about the way she moved, as if the whole room was a stage and she was the only one w

feel the magnetic pull between them, a subtle yet undeniable tension that buzzed in the air. They had history, she could sense it

he room, Vivienne turned her attention fully to them. Her s

ssociates," Vivienne said, her voice smooth and effortless

ht of their scrutiny, each gaze piercing her like daggers. She had never been comfortable in these kin

caught. Was it envy? Or perhaps something more dangerous? But before she could analyze the moment, Vivienne turned to introduce he

familiarity that made Elara uneasy. "He's one of my most t

her with an intensity that made her skin crawl. His dark eyes studied her, as if sea

finally said, his voice low and gr

subtle lines of discomfort etched in Aidan's features, the way his jaw tightened, but he kept his expression neu

plied, his tone sharp, betraying none o

back to Elara, her smile widening ever so slightly. "You're lookin

. I'm still getting used to all this," she admitted, gesturing vague

, if you let it. But don't worry, dear. You'll get used to it. In time, you'll learn that in this world, the ru

e were warning her. Or perhaps, testing her. But Elara wasn't about to let Vivienne se

Elara said, her voice steady

her a subtle sign that it was time to move on.

on her back, the lingering sense that something was amiss. She had no doubt that Vivi

ar before that Vivienne Marchand was not to be underestimated, and now, Elara was beginning to see why. The more she obs

ra's hands shook ever so slightly as she held her glass, but she refused to let it show. She had been thrust

sked, his voice low enough t

ne, who was now engaged in a conversation with another guest. "Sh

have a choice. We need her to slip up, to reveal something. The Marchands are too p

game, one where no one was guaranteed to come out unscathed. But she had no choice but to follow h

s about something, Mrs. Aldric," she said, her tone casual, but the way she said it made Elara's heart race

s she offering an alliance, or was this just another trap? She wasn't sure, but she knew

reath, "I think that power comes at a pri

s. "Wise words, Mrs. Aldric. But remember, in this

that she had just crossed a point of no return. She was no longer just a pawn in a g

this: when you were in a game with people like Vivienne Marchand, you didn't just play to win-you played to su

eginning. And Elara