The board members eventually gathered near the center of the ballroom, waiting—
quiet, tense, hesitant.
Damian remained beside Ariana for another moment, refusing to leave until she gave him a small nod that she was okay.
Only then did he step toward the group, still keeping her close enough that his arm brushed hers when he moved.
Ariana stayed at his side—
not hiding behind him,
not shrinking back,
but standing with her hands softly clasped, observing the room.
She didn't realize it yet…
But she was becoming the kind of woman who could stand next to a man like Damian Steele.
****
The Board's Concerns
"Mr. Steele," one board member began, forcing a professional smile, "your appearance tonight has caused… quite a stir."
Damian raised a brow.
"It was bound to happen eventually."
"Well, yes, but the media is exploding," another added.
"Already reporting that you've revealed your face because of your new wife."
Ariana stiffened.
Damian's expression didn't change.
"And?"
"And… it might affect market reactions. Your company image. Your status with international partners."
Damian crossed his arms lightly.
"As opposed to hiding my existence behind a mask forever?"
The men swallowed.
One added nervously,
"We're only suggesting that… being public like this might be a disadvantage."
Damian glanced at Ariana.
"Being married is not a disadvantage," he said calmly.
Ariana's cheeks warmed.
The board exchanged troubled looks.
"But Mr. Steele—"
Damian's voice cut in, cool and sharp.
"If anyone believes my personal life weakens Steelenex, they do not understand the company—and they do not understand me."
No one dared respond after that.
But Ariana could feel it—
the elites staring, whispering, calculating.
Some admired her.
Some despised her.
Some wanted to know her secrets.
Some wanted her gone.
She swallowed.
This world wasn't easy.
But Damian's presence made it bearable.
****
Ariana's Unexpected Ally
As Damian continued speaking with the board, a woman around Ariana's age approached her quietly.
She was elegant but not intimidating—
with a gentle smile that felt different from the others.
"Hello," the woman said softly.
"I'm Isabel Raye. CEO of RayeTech."
Ariana blinked.
"A-Ah… hello."
"I saw what happened earlier," Isabel said.
"You were brave."
Ariana looked down, embarrassed.
"I don't know if it was bravery. Maybe I was just tired of being talked down to."
"That's still courage," Isabel said warmly.
"Most of these women grew up in power. You didn't. And yet you stood your ground."
Ariana's heart softened.
"You don't think I'm out of place?" she asked quietly.
Isabel shook her head.
"Darling, half the women in this room are out of place. They're just better at pretending."
She smiled.
"Don't stop being yourself."
Ariana relaxed a little—
her first genuine comfort of the night.
Isabel leaned closer conspiratorially.
"And between us… Damian looks at you like the world could burn and he would still shield you with his bare hands."
Ariana's face went hot.
"I-I don't think—"
"Oh, trust me," Isabel laughed softly.
"I've known him for years. He doesn't look at anyone like that."
Ariana didn't know what to say.
She only glanced at Damian.
And she saw it.
The way he kept checking her from the corner of his eye—
making sure she was okay,
making sure no one bothered her,
making sure she wasn't alone.
Her heart twisted.
Isabel smiled knowingly.
"You're special to him. Even if you don't realize it yet."
Ariana's breathing hitched.
****
A Sudden Disruption
Just as Ariana and Isabel were speaking, a wave of murmurs spread across the ballroom.
Heads turned.
Eyes widened.
Voices rose in shock.
Ariana's stomach tightened.
Isabel frowned.
"What now…?"
Suddenly, three security guards hurried toward Damian.
One whispered urgently in his ear.
Damian's expression darkened instantly.
Ariana stepped forward.
"What happened?"
Damian's eyes shifted to her—
filled with something cold, sharp, protective.
"Ariana," he said quietly,
"there was an incident."
Her breath caught.
"What kind of incident?"
The guard answered instead:
"Someone leaked a photo of you—tonight—onto the dark web."
Ariana froze.
Damian turned fully toward the guard.
"Who?"
His voice was razor-edged.
"We're trying to trace it, but the post went up five minutes ago."
Ariana felt her knees weaken.
A photo of her?
From tonight?
But how?
Isabel put a steady hand on Ariana's shoulder.
Damian's fury was palpable—
dangerous.
"Find the source," Damian ordered.
"Find the device. Find the room. Shut it down."
"Yes, sir!"
The guards rushed out.
Damian turned to Ariana, his tone gentler now.
"Ariana. Look at me."
She lifted her eyes slowly.
"You are safe," he said.
"I will not allow anyone to use you."
Ariana's voice was barely a whisper.
"Why would anyone do that?"
Damian's jaw tightened.
"Because someone wants to hurt you—or hurt me through you."
A breath.
"This is not an accident."
Ariana trembled.
Damian stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"You have me. You are not alone."
He touched her arm lightly—
a gesture small enough to look formal
but strong enough to steady her.
Ariana swallowed hard as realization sank in:
Being Damian Steele's wife brought protection…
But it also brought danger.
Real danger.
And someone had just declared war—
on her.