Elena Carter stood in front of the mirror, staring at the woman reflected there.
She barely recognized herself.
The simple girl who used to wear cheap office clothes had disappeared.
In her place stood a woman wearing a stunning black evening dress that hugged her figure perfectly.
Her hair had been styled into soft waves.
Her makeup was elegant but not excessive.
Even Elena had to admit—
She looked… beautiful.
The door behind her opened.
Alexander Knight walked into the room.
He stopped.
For a brief moment, his usually cold expression froze.
Elena noticed.
"What?"
Alexander looked at her calmly.
"You look presentable."
Elena rolled her eyes.
"That's the nicest compliment you could think of?"
He adjusted his cufflinks.
"It means you look good."
She crossed her arms.
"You could just say that like a normal human being."
Alexander ignored the comment.
"Are you ready?"
Elena took a deep breath.
"No."
"We're leaving in five minutes."
"That's not what I meant!"
She turned toward him nervously.
"You said the entire elite business world will be there."
"Yes."
"And I'm supposed to walk in as your wife."
"Yes."
She pointed at herself.
"Do I look like someone who belongs in that world?"
Alexander studied her for a moment.
"Yes."
Elena blinked.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
She looked at him suspiciously.
"You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
"I don't do that."
Fair point.
Still, Elena's stomach twisted nervously.
"What if I embarrass you?"
Alexander's voice was calm.
"You won't."
"And if I do?"
He shrugged slightly.
"Then they'll embarrass themselves."
She frowned.
"That doesn't make sense."
"You'll understand later."
Before she could ask what that meant—
Alexander extended his hand.
"Shall we go, Mrs. Knight?"
The title still felt strange.
But Elena took his hand anyway.
Thirty minutes later.
The black luxury car stopped in front of the Grand Imperial Hotel.
Bright lights illuminated the massive building.
Luxury cars lined the entrance.
Photographers stood behind velvet barriers.
Elena's eyes widened.
"…There are reporters."
Alexander nodded.
"Yes."
She immediately panicked.
"Wait—why are there reporters?!"
Alexander stepped out of the car calmly.
"Because the CEO of KnightTech rarely appears in public."
Elena followed him nervously.
"And tonight you brought a wife."
Her heart stopped.
"Oh no."
The moment Alexander stepped onto the red carpet—
The photographers exploded.
"Mr. Knight!"
"Alexander!"
"Look here!"
Flash.
Flash.
Flash.
Blinding camera lights filled the night.
Elena instinctively grabbed Alexander's arm.
"Why are they shouting?!"
"Because that's their job."
"Why are they taking so many pictures?!"
"Because that's also their job."
One reporter shouted loudly.
"Mr. Knight! Who is the woman with you?!"
Another voice followed.
"Is she your girlfriend?"
Alexander stopped walking.
Elena's heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
He turned slightly toward the cameras.
Then placed his arm around Elena's waist.
The reporters gasped.
Alexander's voice was calm but clear.
"My wife."
Silence fell over the red carpet.
For exactly three seconds.
Then chaos erupted.
"WIFE?!"
"Alexander Knight is married?!"
"When did this happen?!"
"Who is she?!"
Elena felt like she was about to faint.
Alexander guided her calmly toward the entrance.
"Keep walking."
"I can't feel my legs."
"Just pretend."
She forced herself to move.
The hotel doors opened.
The noise of the reporters faded behind them.
Inside, the gala hall was breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled above.
Hundreds of elegantly dressed guests filled the room.
The richest and most powerful people in the city.
The moment Alexander entered—
The entire room noticed.
Whispers spread instantly.
"That's Alexander Knight…"
"Who's the woman with him?"
"Didn't the reporters say he just got married?"
Elena's hands began sweating.
"This is terrifying."
Alexander leaned closer.
"Relax."
"How?"
"Just stay beside me."
She nodded nervously.
A group of businessmen immediately approached them.
"Alexander!"
One of them laughed loudly.
"You disappeared for months and now suddenly you show up with a wife?"
Another man looked at Elena curiously.
"You never told us you were dating someone."
Alexander answered calmly.
"I wasn't."
The men looked confused.
"So how did you get married?"
Alexander replied without hesitation.
"Fate."
Elena nearly choked.
Fate?!
One of the businessmen chuckled.
"Well, she's certainly beautiful."
Elena forced an awkward smile.
"Thank you."
But before the conversation could continue—
A woman's voice suddenly cut through the room.
"Alexander."
The tone was cold.
Sharp.
And familiar.
The crowd instinctively moved aside.
A tall woman in a red evening gown walked toward them.
She was stunning.
Elegant.
Confident.
And her eyes were fixed directly on Elena.
Elena felt an uncomfortable chill.
Alexander's expression became colder.
"…Sophia."
So this was her.
Sophia Blake.
The ex-girlfriend.
Sophia stopped in front of them.
Her gaze slowly moved from Alexander to Elena.
Then to the ring on Elena's finger.
Her smile was thin.
"So the rumors are true."
Alexander said nothing.
Sophia tilted her head slightly.
"You got married."
Her eyes returned to Elena.
"To her."
Elena felt like she was standing in front of a lion.
Sophia extended her hand politely.
"I'm Sophia Blake."
Elena hesitated.
Then shook her hand.
"Elena Carter."
Sophia's grip tightened slightly.
Her smile didn't change.
"Interesting."
Elena forced herself to smile back.
"…Why?"
Sophia looked directly at Alexander.
"Because he once told me he would never marry someone he didn't love."
The words hung heavily in the air.
Elena's heart sank.
The room had gone silent again.
Everyone was watching.
Sophia continued softly.
"So tell me, Alexander…"
Her gaze shifted to Elena.
"…do you love your wife?"
Elena's breath caught.
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He suddenly pulled Elena closer.
His arm wrapped around her waist.
And before she could react—
Alexander kissed her.
Right there.
In front of the entire ballroom.
Elena's brain completely shut down.
Gasps filled the room.
The kiss lasted only a few seconds.
But when Alexander pulled away…
The entire gala hall had fallen silent.
He looked calmly at Sophia.
Then said one simple sentence.
"Obviously."
Sophia's smile finally disappeared.
And Elena realized something terrifying.
This contract marriage…
Had just turned into a very public war.