Chapter 10 – The Ring and the Rumor
The media storm hit faster than Clara expected.
By the next morning, headlines screamed across every gossip page:
"Blackwood Engaged to Mystery Woman!"
"From Billionaire to Bridegroom!"
Clara groaned as she scrolled through the news. "Oh great. I look like a walking scandal in half these photos."
Ethan, sitting across from her at breakfast, didn't even glance up from his tablet. "Ignore them."
"Easy for you to say. They called me a 'charity project with bangs!'"
He almost — almost — looked amused. "You shouldn't read comments."
"Oh, I'm definitely reading comments. Someone said I look like I kidnapped you."
He set his tablet down. "Clara, listen. The more we act unaffected, the faster this fades."
She sighed dramatically. "Right, because pretending I'm madly in love with you in public will be so easy."
His eyes met hers, calm but piercing. "You've done harder things."
"Name one."
"You survived me."
She snorted. "Barely."
They were interrupted by the door opening — Ethan's assistant entered, pale and nervous. "Sir, we have a problem."
"What now?" Ethan asked coolly.
"Thomas Vance just announced he's hosting a charity gala. And he invited you and your fiancée."
Clara froze. "Please tell me you're not going."
Ethan stood. "We're going."
"But—"
He turned to her. "You wanted to learn how to act human, Mrs. Blackwood. Consider this your first test."
Clara groaned, dropping her head to the table. "I should've signed a prenup for emotional damage."