The banquet hall was filled with laughter.
Crystal lights. Expensive dresses. Familiar faces.
All people who once looked down on her.
She stood beside him—Blackwood Group's CEO—calm and elegant.
Whispers spread instantly.
"Is that her?"
"The one who was dumped?"
"She actually married him?"
Her ex-fiancé froze the moment he saw her.
His eyes widened. "You… how could you be here?"
She smiled.
"Why not?" she asked softly. "This is a public event."
The woman beside him—her former best friend—gripped his arm tightly.
"She's probably just pretending," she sneered. "Borrowing someone powerful to save face."
Before she could reply, a waiter approached.
"Mr. Blackwood," he said respectfully, "your seat is ready."
The entire hall went silent.
Mr. Blackwood.
Not sir. Not guest.
Her ex-fiancé's face turned pale.
"You're… married to him?" he asked in disbelief.
She tilted her head. "Didn't you hear the news?"
The CEO suddenly placed a hand on her waist.
A possessive, unmistakable gesture.
"My wife," he said coldly, "doesn't need to explain herself."
Gasps erupted.
Her ex-fiancé clenched his fists.
"You'll regret this," he muttered.
She leaned closer, her voice calm but lethal.
"I already died once regretting you."
He didn't understand her words.
But fear crept into his eyes for the first time.
As they walked away, the CEO looked down at her.
"You planned this," he said.
She smiled faintly.
"No," she replied.
"I just stopped being weak."
Behind them, the rumors exploded—
And a war quietly began.