Public Confrontation, Private Claims
The party was loud.
Music.
Laughter.
Crystal glasses clinking.
High society pretending nothing was wrong.
Leon Ashford stood at the entrance, fists clenched.
His eyes locked onto one sight—
Lunaria Valencrest, standing beside Kael Ravencroft.
Smiling.
That smile stabbed deeper than any insult.
Leon Breaks In
Leon didn't wait.
Didn't ask.
He walked straight through the crowd.
"Lunaria."
The name cut through the noise.
Conversations paused.
People turned.
Lunaria froze.
Her smile vanished the moment she saw him.
"…Leon?"
Kael's expression darkened instantly.
The Public Question
Leon laughed bitterly.
"So this is how it is?" he demanded loudly.
"After everything—this is what you chose?"
Murmurs erupted.
"Isn't that Leon Ashford?"
"Didn't he lose his license?"
"Why is he even here?"
Lunaria's face went pale.
"This isn't the place," she whispered.
"Please stop."
Leon shook his head.
"No," he snapped.
"You owe me an answer."
He pointed at Kael.
"How long?"
"Before or after you destroyed my life?"
The room went silent.
Kael Steps In
Kael finally moved.
He placed himself slightly in front of Lunaria.
Protective.
Possessive.
His voice was calm—but sharp.
"Watch your tone."
Leon turned on him instantly.
"You think you're something special?" Leon spat.
"You came back rich and just took everything?"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
Then—
He smiled.
Cold.
The Claim
Kael leaned closer, voice low but clear enough for those nearby to hear.
"Listen carefully," he said.
"Lunaria is my woman."
The words landed like a slap.
"Whatever you had," Kael continued evenly,
"is over."
He straightened.
"So don't come in our way again."
Humiliation, Second Round
Laughter broke out.
Not kind laughter.
"My woman?"
"Bold words for the soup guy."
"Didn't this Ashford kid lose everything?"
Leon's face twisted.
His chest heaved.
"You think this ends well for you?" Leon shouted.
"You're using her!"
Lunaria flinched.
"Enough!" she cried.
She looked at Leon—
Not with love.
With irritation.
"Why can't you just leave me alone?"
That—
That broke him.
Security Arrives
Hands grabbed Leon's arms.
"Sir, you need to leave."
Leon didn't resist.
He only stared at Lunaria.
"…I was wrong about you," he said hoarsely.
Then he was dragged away.
Aftermath
The party resumed awkwardly.
Kael wrapped an arm around Lunaria's waist.
"You handled that well," he murmured.
She didn't respond immediately.
Her hands were shaking slightly.
But she didn't pull away.
Kael noticed—
And smiled inwardly.
Elsewhere — Confirmation
Alex watched the footage later that night.
Kirlia floated beside him, eyes sharp.
"…So he claimed her publicly," Alex said calmly.
A notification flickered.
System Notice:
Protagonist Kael Ravencroft publicly asserts dominance.
Emotional dependency of Lunaria Valencrest increased.
Alex closed the panel.
"Good," he murmured.
"Now everyone's tied together."
Leon was furious.
Lunaria was trapped.
Kael was arrogant.
And arrogance—
Always made people sloppy.