The next morning arrived with a strange sense of calm.
Too calm.
Elena stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the Romano penthouse bedroom, brushing her hair slowly while staring at her own reflection.
Her expression was thoughtful.
The elegant black invitation still rested on the bedside table.
Victor Hale's Gala.
Just the words alone felt like a challenge.
Behind her, the bedroom door opened.
Alessandro stepped inside, already dressed in his usual dark suit. His presence immediately changed the atmosphere of the room.
Elena met his gaze through the mirror.
"So… the big villain party."
Alessandro walked toward the window.
"It's a charity gala."
She turned around.
"Oh yes, I'm sure the villain raises money for orphans between destroying empires."
Alessandro almost smiled.
Almost.
"Elena."
"Yes?"
"Victor Hale doesn't do anything without purpose."
She leaned against the dresser.
"I figured that much."
Her eyes moved to the invitation again.
"He wants to see me."
"Yes."
"And study me."
"Yes."
Elena sighed.
"Well that's uncomfortable."
Alessandro looked at her for a moment before speaking.
"You don't have to go."
She blinked.
"What?"
"If you feel unsafe—"
She immediately cut him off.
"Alessandro."
His name came out sharper than she expected.
He stopped talking.
She crossed her arms.
"If I run away now, what message does that send?"
"That you're cautious."
"That I'm afraid."
Her voice was firm.
"I'm not starting this marriage by hiding."
For a few seconds, Alessandro simply watched her.
Then he nodded once.
"Very well."
Elena smiled faintly.
"Besides… I'm curious."
"Curious?"
"Yes."
She walked toward him slowly.
"I want to see the man brave enough to challenge you."
That seemed to amuse him.
"He won't disappoint."
Before Elena could reply, there was a knock on the door.
Adrian entered a moment later holding a tablet.
"You're both awake. Good."
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"You sound relieved."
Adrian gave a small shrug.
"I've been reading the news."
He placed the tablet on the table.
Another headline appeared.
"Romano Empire Facing New Corporate Rival."
Elena sighed.
"He works fast."
Adrian nodded.
"Victor Hale is expanding his influence through media pressure."
Alessandro crossed his arms.
"Expected."
Adrian turned to Elena.
"But that's not the only reason I came."
She frowned.
"What else?"
Adrian tapped the screen.
A new image appeared.
A photograph of a grand ballroom.
Crystal chandeliers.
Hundreds of tables.
A massive stage.
"The Hale Foundation Gala will be held here tonight."
Elena blinked.
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
"That's soon."
Adrian nodded.
"Victor Hale prefers sudden moves."
Alessandro's voice remained calm.
"Security?"
"Already arranged."
Adrian swiped the screen again.
A detailed map appeared.
"Private guards. Surveillance cameras. Entry checkpoints."
Elena studied it carefully.
"Looks like a fortress."
Adrian nodded.
"It is."
She leaned back.
"And we're walking straight into it."
"Yes."
Elena smiled slightly.
"Exciting."
Adrian looked at Alessandro.
"She's either very brave…"
He paused.
"…or very reckless."
Alessandro replied calmly.
"Both."
Elena rolled her eyes.
"Thanks for the support."
Adrian chuckled softly.
Then his expression became serious again.
"There's one more thing."
Alessandro looked at him.
"What?"
Adrian turned the tablet toward them.
Another photo appeared.
This one showed Victor Hale.
Tall.
Elegant.
Calm.
Standing among several influential politicians.
Elena studied the image carefully.
"So that's him."
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
She tilted her head slightly.
"He doesn't look like a supervillain."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"That's the dangerous part."
Alessandro's gaze remained fixed on the screen.
"Elena."
"Yes?"
"When we enter that ballroom tonight…"
His voice became slightly colder.
"Every person there will be watching."
"Because of Victor Hale?"
"No."
He looked directly at her.
"Because of you."
Elena blinked.
"Me?"
"You're new."
She shrugged.
"That's not a crime."
"No."
He stepped closer.
"But curiosity is powerful."
Elena considered that for a moment.
"So everyone will want to see the mysterious wife."
"Yes."
She sighed.
"Great."
Adrian smiled.
"On the bright side, it will distract them."
"From what?"
"From Alessandro."
That made sense.
Elena turned back toward the mirror again.
"Well then."
Both men watched her.
She crossed her arms.
"If everyone's going to stare at me…"
She smiled slightly.
"I might as well give them something worth staring at."
Adrian chuckled.
"I'll inform the designer."
"Designer?"
Alessandro answered.
"Your dress."
Elena laughed.
"You really do plan everything."
"Yes."
She looked at him with amusement.
"Do I at least get to choose the color?"
Alessandro thought about it.
Then said calmly:
"No."
She groaned dramatically.
"This marriage is very controlling."
Adrian looked entertained.
"I believe the correct term is 'strategic.'"
Elena sighed again.
"Fine."
She picked up the invitation from the table.
The black paper felt heavier now.
More real.
Tonight…
She would meet Victor Hale.
Face to face.
Across the city, inside a luxurious private office, Victor Hale stood beside a rack of perfectly tailored suits.
His assistant waited nearby.
"Which one, sir?"
Victor studied the suits carefully.
Finally he selected a dark midnight-blue tuxedo.
"Tonight must be perfect."
The assistant nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Victor adjusted his cufflinks slowly.
"Alessandro Romano rarely walks into traps."
He smiled faintly.
"But when he does…"
His eyes gleamed with quiet anticipation.
"It's always entertaining."
The assistant hesitated.
"And his wife?"
Victor paused.
Then said softly:
"She's the piece I'm most curious about."
Outside the window, the sun slowly began to set.
Night was approaching.
And with it…
The gala.
The place where enemies would finally meet.
And where the next move in their dangerous game would begin.