Chapter 3

The interior of the stretch limousine was dead silent.

Audriana sat stiffly on the leather seat. She wore a custom black backless gown that Ellwood had sent to the penthouse. The silk felt cold against her skin. She twisted her fingers together in her lap, her breathing shallow.

Ellwood glanced at her pale knuckles. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a velvet box, and snapped it open.

He took her left hand. His grip was firm, leaving no room for argument. He slid a massive, flawless diamond ring onto her ring finger. The metal was freezing. Audriana shivered.

"Sit up straight," Ellwood ordered softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Do not show them any weakness."

The limo rolled to a stop in front of the Maxwell estate on the Upper East Side. The driver opened the door.

A blinding wall of camera flashes erupted the second the door opened. Audriana squeezed her eyes shut, her heart leaping into her throat.

Ellwood stepped out first. He turned, buttoned his suit jacket with one hand, and offered her the other. It was a pose of absolute protection.

Audriana placed her hand in his. He pulled her out of the car. The press went absolutely feral. The ruthless, untouchable Ellwood Maxwell was holding a woman's hand.

Audriana forced her facial muscles into a perfect, polite smile. She hooked her arm through his, letting him guide her up the red carpet.

Inside the grand ballroom, the air smelled of expensive perfume and old money. Eston was seated stiffly on a velvet sofa near the bar, his face pale and drawn tight with pain. His right leg was stretched out unnaturally in a heavy medical brace, a pair of aluminum crutches resting against the armrest. He was forcing a tight, agonizing smile at a group of socialites, trying desperately to pretend his shattered kneecap wasn't throbbing with every heartbeat.

The heavy mahogany doors swung open.

The loud chatter in the room died instantly. It was as if someone had pulled the plug on the audio.

Ellwood walked in with Audriana. His aura was so suffocatingly dominant that the crowd physically parted to create a path for them.

Eston turned his head. When he saw Audriana, his jaw dropped. The crystal champagne flute slipped from his fingers and shattered on the marble floor, splashing red wine all over his date's dress.

Frances Maxwell, Eston's mother, was holding court near the center of the room. Her face turned an ugly shade of purple when she saw Audriana.

Several board members hurried over, raising their glasses to Ellwood, their eyes darting to Audriana with burning curiosity.

Ellwood wrapped his arm around Audriana's waist, pulling her flush against his side. "Gentlemen," he said, his voice carrying across the silent room. "Allow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Maxwell."

A collective gasp ripped through the ballroom. Whispers exploded like fireworks.

Frances stomped over, her heels clicking aggressively. She stopped in front of them, her chest heaving. "Is this some kind of sick joke, Ellwood?"

Ellwood looked down at her with dead eyes. "My marriage is none of your business, Frances."

Frances choked on her breath. She didn't dare yell at Ellwood, so she turned her venomous glare onto Audriana.

Audriana didn't look away. She smiled sweetly. "Good evening, sister-in-law."

Frances looked like she was going to have a stroke.

Eston finally snapped out of his shock. He pushed through the crowd, his eyes wild and bloodshot. "You gold-digging whore!" he screamed, pointing a shaking finger at Audriana. "You lied to me!"

Audriana's stomach twisted, but before she could even open her mouth, Ellwood moved.

He didn't yell. He didn't argue. He simply raised his hand and backhanded Eston across the face.

The loud smack echoed off the high ceilings. Eston spun around from the force of the blow, blood instantly dripping from his split lip.

The entire ballroom stopped breathing.

Ellwood pulled a white silk handkerchief from his pocket. He slowly wiped his knuckles. "Watch your mouth when you speak to your aunt."

Frances screamed and threw her arms around Eston, shielding him. She glared at Ellwood with pure hatred but kept her mouth firmly shut.

At the top of the grand staircase, an elegant, elderly woman appeared. Angel Maxwell, the matriarch.

The crowd parted again as a maid helped Angel down the stairs. Her sharp eyes locked onto Audriana.

Audriana's palms started to sweat. This was the real test. Ellwood's hand tightened on her waist, his thumb pressing firmly into her side.

Angel stopped in front of them. She looked Audriana up and down for ten agonizing seconds. Finally, she gave a short nod. "Since you are married, know your place and do your duty."

She didn't object. The crisis was over.

The orchestra started playing again, and the guests quickly pretended nothing had happened.

Ellwood leaned down, his lips brushing against Audriana's ear. His hot breath sent a shiver down her spine. "That 'sister-in-law' line was excellent," he whispered.