Power of presence

Joanne walked gracefully through the grand ballroom, her fingers resting lightly on Alexander's arm. Every step, every movement, was deliberate. She wasn't just Joanne Baker anymore.

She was Mrs. Joanne King.

The whispers around them grew louder.

"I never knew she was this beautiful."

"That dress… it's literally one of a kind."

"Alexander King must really treasure her."

Joanne kept her expression poised, but inside, satisfaction bloomed. Let them talk. Let them see.

Beside her, Alexander remained calm, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room like a silent predator. He didn't need to say a word to command attention. His presence alone was enough.

But Joanne could sense it—the subtle tension in his body, the way his fingers lightly tapped against the armrest of his wheelchair.

He was observing. Calculating.

And she knew… this wasn't just a gala to him.

It was a battlefield.

Sophia's nails dug into her palm as she watched Joanne move effortlessly through the crowd. This wasn't right.

She was supposed to be the center of attention tonight.

Not Joanne. Not the woman she had humiliated her entire life.

Jason shifted beside her, his eyes still fixed on Joanne. That infuriated Sophia even more.

"Why is everyone looking at her?" she hissed under her breath.

Jason snapped out of his daze. "Well… she is Mrs. King now."

Sophia clenched her teeth. No. Joanne might have married Alexander, but that didn't mean she had truly won.

She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. Fine. If they wanted a show, she'd give them one.

Lifting her champagne glass, she stepped forward, her voice loud and clear.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to make a toast!"

The chatter quieted as eyes turned toward her.

Sophia smiled sweetly, though her heart burned with resentment. "Tonight, we celebrate not just generosity and success, but also new beginnings." Her eyes flickered toward Joanne. "To those who find love in the most… unexpected places."

A few people exchanged glances, some smirking at the underlying mockery.

Joanne arched a brow, but before she could respond—

Alexander spoke.

His deep, commanding voice cut through the silence.

"I agree."

The entire room turned toward him.

Sophia stiffened.

Alexander tilted his head slightly, his smirk barely noticeable. But his gaze was ice-cold.

"To new beginnings," he said smoothly. "And to those who think they can rewrite history… but will soon learn they were never part of the story to begin with."

The crowd murmured, catching the underlying warning in his words.

Sophia's face turned pale.

Joanne smiled. Checkmate.