CHAPTER 28 – "Look At Them Now"
Morning didn't stay quiet for long.
It never did—
Not for people like them.
By noon, the world had already shifted its attention.
"VALTORIA–VALTIERI UNION SHAKES GLOBAL MARKETS."
"THE MOST EXPENSIVE WEDDING IN HISTORY—INSIDE DETAILS."
"POWER COUPLE OR STRATEGIC ALLIANCE?"
Their marriage wasn't private.
It couldn't be.
It was influence.
It was leverage.
It was dominance on a scale most people couldn't understand.
And today—
They were expected to appear.
Together.
........
The venue wasn't small.
It couldn't be.
A private high-profile gala held in one of the most exclusive towers in the city—reserved only for individuals whose presence alone carried value.
Every major name was there.
Every eye was waiting.
And then—
They arrived.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended came to a smooth stop at the entrance, its polished surface reflecting the flashing lights from the distance.
Security moved first.
Then the door opened.
Lucien stepped out.
Sharp.
Composed.
Commanding.
But even he—
Wasn't the focus.
Because the moment Zara stepped out beside him—
Everything paused.
Her dress was nothing like the wedding gown.
This was different.
A deep emerald piece that clung in all the right places, cut with precision, designed not just to flatter—but to dominate attention.
Diamonds rested against her skin like they belonged there.
Every step she took—
Measured.
Effortless.
Untouchable.
Cameras weren't allowed close.
But that didn't matter.
Everyone inside?
Already knew.
"They're here."
Whispers spread before they even went
Inside—
The room shifted immediately.
Conversations slowed.
Heads turned.
Movements paused.
Because this wasn't just an entrance.
It was a statement.
Zara walked beside Lucien—
Not behind him.
Not ahead of him.
Beside.
Equal.
Her hand rested lightly in his—not clinging, not dependent—
Just there.
Intentional.
And that alone?
Said everything.
Sienna leaned toward Cassian from across the room.
"…They look dangerous," she whispered.
Cassian exhaled quietly.
"They are."
........
Not everyone was impressed.
Across the room—
Elena Marquez stood still, her grip tightening slightly around her glass.
She had expected discomfort.
Hesitation.
Distance.
Not this.
Not unity.
Not that.
Her gaze shifted to Lucien—
Then to Zara.
And something in her expression cracked.
Because this?
This looked real.
And she hated it.
Not far from her—
Isabella Valtieri watched too.
Silent.
Unapproving.
Calculating.
But even she couldn't deny what stood in front of her.
Control.
Power.
Balance.
And worst of all—
Compatibility.
.......
"Mr. and Mrs. Valtieri."
The title didn't go unnoticed.
Zara's eyes flicked briefly toward the man who addressed them—a high-ranking investor with enough influence to matter.
She smiled.
Polite.
Controlled.
"Congratulations," he continued.
"This changes everything."
Zara's response was smooth.
"It was meant to."
Lucien glanced at her—just briefly.
Because that answer?
Wasn't for show.
It was truth.
.......
As the night moved forward, something became clear.
People weren't just watching them.
They were studying them.
How close they stood.
How often they spoke.
Who led conversations.
Who interrupted.
Who didn't.
But there was one thing no one could deny.
They worked.
Effortlessly.
Lucien handled power.
Zara controlled presence.
Together?
They dominated.
........
And then—
It happened.
"Elena, don't."
Too late.
She was already walking toward them.
Zara noticed first.
Of course she did.
Her gaze shifted slightly—just enough to acknowledge the approach.
Lucien followed her line of sight.
And his expression hardened.
Elena stopped just in front of them.
Composed—but barely.
"You look happy," she said.
Zara's lips curved faintly.
"I usually am."
A pause.
Elena's gaze flicked to Lucien.
Then back.
"This isn't over," she said quietly.
Silence.
Zara stepped forward—just slightly.
"It never started," she replied calmly.
That hit harder than anything else could have.
Elena's composure cracked—just enough to show it.
"You think you've won?"
Zara didn't blink.
"I don't think," she said softly.
"I know."
And just like that—
The conversation ended.
Because there was nothing left to fight.
.......
Later—
When the room had settled again—
When the noise faded into something distant—
Lucien leaned slightly toward Zara.
"You handled that well," he said.
Zara didn't look at him.
"I always do."
A pause.
Then—
His hand shifted slightly against hers.
Not tighter.
Not possessive.
But certain.
"Good," he said quietly.
Zara turned her head slightly.
"And why is that?" she asked.
Lucien met her gaze fully.
"Because now," he said,
"They're not just watching you."
A pause.
"They're watching us."
Silence lingered between them.
Zara held his gaze.
Longer than necessary.
Deeper than usual.
Then—
Her lips curved.
"Then let them," she said.
And just like that—
They didn't just exist in the same space anymore.
They owned it.