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The silence that fell over the Grand Lydian ballroom was absolute. In high society, gossip traveled like wildfire, but shock traveled like lightning. / Chapter 9 / 20

Chapter 9 - A New Dynasty

Six months later, the Grand Lydian ballroom was booked once again—not for a cold, calculated corporate engagement party, but for a wedding that made the front page of every lifestyle magazine in the country.

There were no senators invited to impress the board, no hollow alliances with ruthless corporate families, and no cold glances from matriarchs in pearls. Instead, the ballroom was filled with laughter, the soft patter of small running feet, and real, unvarnished joy.

Miles wore a tiny custom navy tuxedo that matched his father's, proudly holding a velvet ring pillow that he immediately tried to trade for a slice of wedding cake. Grace walked down the aisle as a flower girl, sprinkling rose petals with deadly serious concentration, while Sophie clung to Elena's veil, giggling every time the tulle rustled.

At the altar stood Nathaniel, watching the love of his life walk toward him in a gown of simple, elegant ivory lace, her head held high and her eyes shining with tears of absolute happiness.

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When Elena reached him, Nathaniel didn't wait for the officiant's prompt. He lifted her veil, kissed her gently in front of two hundred cheering guests, and whispered against her lips: "You're never leaving again."

"Try and make me," she smiled.

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