Chapter 3 - THE SHATTERED MASK
The sound of breaking glass echoed clearly in the hushed room, but no one paid attention to the spilled scotch at Dominic’s feet. Every eye in the house was fixed on the grand staircase.
Beside me, my father squeezed my hand gently. “Ready, sweetheart?” he whispered.
“More than ready,” I replied softly.
We walked down the wide marble staircase together, step by deliberate step. I kept my posture regal, my gaze fixed directly on Dominic, whose face had turned entirely pale. The arrogant, untouchable demeanor he had worn in our bedroom barely an hour ago was completely gone, replaced by sheer terror and confusion.
Vanessa was clutching his arm tightly, looking between Dominic and me with a mix of envy and bewilderment. “Dominic? What is happening? Isn't that... your wife?”
Dominic didn't answer her. He couldn't. His eyes were glued to the Mercer Sapphire around my neck—a legendary piece of jewelry worth more than his entire penthouse.
As soon as our feet hit the main floor, a crowd of senators, venture capitalists, and foreign diplomats rushed forward to greet my father.
“Chairman Mercer! It is an absolute honor!” Mayor Harrison said, shaking my father’s hand warmly. “And this must be your daughter!”
“Yes,” Richard announced, his deep voice carrying easily across the circle of onlookers. “This is my daughter, Evelyn Mercer. She has been managing several of our private holdings abroad, but tonight, she is officially returning to take her place on the executive board of Mercer International.”
Whispers exploded through the room.
“Mercer’s heir? I thought she was married to that tech guy, Vale!” “Vale? He’s small-time compared to Mercer. Did you see his face?” “Wait, isn't that the PR woman Vale was seen kissing at the lounge last week?”
I smiled graciously at the Mayor and answered questions with quiet elegance, completely ignoring Dominic, who was trying to push his way through the circle of billionaires.
Finally, Dominic managed to break through the crowd. His hair was slightly disheveled, and sweat was glinting on his forehead despite the cool room.
“Evelyn...” his voice cracked, laced with disbelief. “What... what is this? What are you doing here? Why are you with Richard Mercer?”
I turned slowly to face him, taking a calm sip of my champagne. “Mr. Vale. Please refrain from using my first name so casually in public. We are not on such terms.”
Dominic blinked, stunned as if I had slapped him across the face. “Evelyn, stop this joke! What do you mean? You’re my wife!”
My father stepped forward, his cold blue eyes locking onto Dominic with terrifying intensity. The temperature around us seemed to drop ten degrees.
“Mr. Vale,” Richard said, his voice smooth as steel. “I suggest you mind your tone with my daughter. You were permitted into this hall as a courtesy to your board of directors, not for your personal conduct.”
“Chairman Mercer, you don't understand,” Dominic stammered, looking frantically between us. “Evelyn is my wife. We’ve been married for eight years! She... she’s an orphan! She works in art restoration!”
I gave a small, amused laugh that made several nearby socialites chuckle.
“I restored art as a personal passion, Dominic,” I said softly, looking him dead in the eye. “Just like I quietly restored your failing logistics company four years ago when you were on the verge of bankruptcy. Did you really think the Department of Defense just randomly chose Vale Enterprises for that multi-billion-dollar shipping contract?”
Dominic’s breath caught in his throat. His chest heaved as the realization hit him like a physical blow. “That... that was you?”
“It was Mercer International,” I corrected smoothly. “Because eight years ago, I believed in you. I thought you were a man of integrity. I gave you my quiet support, keeping my identity hidden because you once told me you wanted to build an empire with your own hands, without riding anyone’s coat-tails.”
I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping so only he and Vanessa could hear clearly. “But you didn't build an empire, Dominic. You built a house of cards. And tonight, you told me I wasn't the 'kind of woman' this life requires.”
Vanessa shrank back, suddenly realizing the horrific position she was in. She let go of Dominic’s arm as if he were contagious.
Dominic grabbed my wrist in desperation. “Evelyn, wait! Please, we need to talk in private! This is a misunderstanding—I didn't mean what I said at the penthouse! I was stressed about the IPO!”
May you like
Before he could pull me, two seven-foot-tall Mercer security guards materialized beside him. One of them placed a heavy hand on Dominic’s shoulder, forcing him to release my wrist instantly.
“Mr. Vale,” the security guard said coldly. “Step back immediately, or you will be forcibly removed from the premises.”
