The black Rolls-Royce pulled up to the curb in front of the Vane Empire headquarters. Outside, the sidewalk was a sea of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. Xavier felt his chest tighten. This wasn't a business meeting; it was a feeding frenzy.
"Smile, Xavier," Seraphina murmured, her voice like silk over a blade. She didn't look at him, but her hand reached out and gripped his. Her fingers were ice cold, but her hold was firm, possessive. "The world is watching. If you look like a victim, they will tear us both apart."
The door opened, and the noise hit them like a physical wall. Flash. Flash. Flash. Seraphina led Xavier through the crowd, her hand never leaving his. Inside, a podium was set up, backed by the golden Vane Empire logo.
"Thank you all for coming," she began, her voice echoing through the hall. "Today, I am here to introduce you to the man who has changed everything. This is Xavier. My fiancé."
She turned to him then, and for the first time, she smiled. It wasn't the cold smirk he knew. It was a warm, glowing look that reached her eyes—a look of pure, fabricated love.
"I met her when she was at her most vulnerable," Xavier said, his voice surprisingly steady, playing his part. "And I realized then that the 'Ice Queen' has a heart of gold. I'm just the lucky man who found the key to it."
The room erupted. Seraphina leaned in and kissed his cheek—a light, fleeting touch that felt like an electric shock.