The private garage under the hotel was quiet—at least, until the doors opened and the first black car rolled in.
Elara stepped out of the sleek vehicle, her silver gown clinging perfectly to her figure. Hair swept into a sleek bun, earrings catching every flicker of light. She looked like a goddess.
But her eyes?
Her eyes could cut glass.
She didn't wait for her parents' approval. She didn't even wait for Zayden's car to finish pulling up beside hers.
She simply walked to the waiting elevator in silence.
The second car's door opened smoothly, and Zayden Vale stepped out—impeccably dressed in a tailored navy suit, dark hair slicked back, a silver pin on his lapel. As usual, he looked like a cover shoot personified.
He watched her enter the elevator without him.
And smiled.
By the time they reached the conference hall entrance, both stood side by side. Cameras were already flashing.
"Ready to smile for the vultures?" Zayden murmured.
"Only if I get to bite one," Elara replied flatly.
The doors opened.
The crowd exploded.
Flashes. Screams. Microphones being shoved forward.
"Zayden! Over here!"
"Elara Blake, can we ask you—?"
"Are the engagement rumors true?"
"How did you two meet?"
"Is this love, or is it business?"
The couple walked forward slowly, step by step.
Zayden's smile was flawless.
Elara didn't even pretend.
When they reached the stage, Zayden took the mic first.
"Thank you all for coming. I'll keep this simple: yes, the rumors are true. Miss Elara Blake and I are engaged."
The crowd exploded. Shutters clicked faster than lightning.
Elara stood quietly beside him, arms at her sides, chin high.
Zayden glanced her way. "Would you like to say anything?"
Elara took the mic.
There was a pause.
And then—
"Well, I didn't expect to trend before I even said yes."
Laughter erupted across the room.
Zayden turned to her with a slight raise of the brow.
She continued. "But since we're all being honest today, let me say this—I'm not here to play a role or pretend to be someone I'm not. I'm not going to giggle or faint just because I'm standing beside a man with a perfect jawline and way too much money."
Oof.
Zayden's jaw ticked slightly. His smile didn't falter—but his eyes sparked with interest.
Elara glanced sideways, glaring at him in full view of a hundred cameras.
The room gasped, several paparazzi literally squealed.
One reporter whispered too close to a live mic: "Did she just glare at Zayden Vale? Oh my god, I love her."
Another muttered, "Finally. Someone who doesn't fall all over him."
The mics lit up again.
"Miss Blake, are you saying you don't like him?"
"Are you forced into this arrangement?"
"Are you the one taming the national playboy?"
Zayden stepped forward smoothly, mic in hand again.
"Elara is honest. Fierce. Beautiful. And clearly, not afraid to roast me in front of the entire country." His voice dipped with humor. "Which is probably why I'm marrying her."
The media lost their minds.
> #ElaraTheUnbothered
#ZaydenGotGlaredAt
#CreamDressPart2
#TheGirlWhoTamedTheFox
Backstage, a coordinator whispered, "This is either a PR disaster… or pure genius."
Elara, meanwhile, whispered to Zayden under her breath as the cameras kept flashing.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
He smirked. "You just made me ten times more desirable. To the entire country."
She scoffed. "Narcissist."
"Feisty."
Their eyes met.
The camera bulbs captured everything.