Chapter 4 A Public Spectacle

A Public Spectacle

Claire should have known Gordon wouldn't just let their engagement announcement happen quietly.

She stood in front of the grand mirror in one of the endless rooms of his mansion, staring at her reflection in disbelief.

The dress was breathtakingly expensive silk hugging her curves perfectly but she barely noticed.

Because Gordon Hayes had just informed her that in one hour, they would be publicly announcing their engagement.

And she had zero say in the matter.

"A Press Conference? Are You Insane?"

Naomi nearly choked on air when Claire called her.

"A press conference?" Naomi whisper-yelled. "Are you insane?"

"What choice do I have?" Claire hissed, adjusting an earring. "Besides, it's just a contract."

Naomi scoffed. "Oh, honey. You think you're in control, but I know men like him. They never play fair."

Claire sighed. "I'll be fine. It's just two years."

She hesitated before adding, "I just found out Gordon once worked for my dad's company."

Naomi muttered something under her breath but let it go.

Now, standing in the hallway outside the press room, Claire felt like she was about to pass out.

She wasn't famous. She had never spoken to reporters. She could already imagine the headlines:

'Gold Digger Marries Billionaire: Love or Business Deal?'

Beside her, Gordon stood unfazed, adjusting his cufflinks like this was just another business meeting.

"Nervous?" he asked, voice laced with amusement.

"No," she lied.

He smirked. Clearly not buying it.

Before she could say anything else, Ethan poked his head out from the press room.

The poor guy looked like he was one breath away from passing out.

"Sir, we're ready," Ethan announced.

"Good." Gordon placed a hand on the small of Claire's back, guiding her forward.

"Time to sell the fairy tale."

Inside the Press Room

Bright flashes from cameras nearly blinded Claire as she and Gordon stepped onto the platform.

The room was packed with journalists, their eyes sharp, waiting to dissect their every word.

Gordon, of course, looked completely in control, greeting the reporters with that effortless charm that made people forget he was a ruthless businessman.

"Thank you all for coming," he began smoothly.

"I know this announcement may come as a surprise, but Claire and I are incredibly happy to share our engagement with you."

The cameras clicked furiously.

Claire felt like a deer in headlights.

Then came the first question.

"Miss Donovan, how did you and Mr. Hayes meet?"

Claire froze.

Oh crap. They hadn't rehearsed a fake love story.

But before she could say something stupid, Gordon smoothly answered

"It was fate."

Claire's head snapped toward him. Fate?

"Claire was different from anyone I had ever met," Gordon continued, his tone soft, almost loving.

His gaze locked onto hers, too intimate.

"I knew from the first moment that she would change my life."

The reporters ate it up.

Someone even aww'd.

Claire barely had time to process the absolute nonsense Gordon was spinning before the next question hit.

"Claire, how does it feel to be engaged to one of the most powerful men in the country?"

Her mouth went dry.

How was she supposed to answer that?

"I, uh... well, Gordon is..." She trailed off, panicking, before forcing a sweet smile.

"He's... very persistent."

Across the room, Ryan snorted loudly.

Gordon shot him a look before smoothly adding, "She means she's incredibly lucky."

Claire resisted the urge to elbow him in the ribs.

The rest of the press conference was a blur of fake smiles and rehearsed charm.

As they walked off the stage, Gordon leaned down and whispered in her ear, voice low and amused

"Not bad. But you'll have to get better at lying, Mrs. Hayes."

The Donovans mansion

Victoria Donovan sat in her elegantly furnished living room, a glass of wine in one hand and her tablet in the other.

The news played softly in the background just noise to fill the silence.

Then

A familiar name caught her attention.

"Billionaire Gordon Hayes announces surprise engagement to Claire Donovan."

The glass slipped from her fingers, shattering on the marble floor.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the screen.

The image showed Claire and Gordon standing side by side, Claire forcing a smile while Gordon looked as composed as ever.

"What...?" Victoria whispered, completely stunned.

She grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.

"...sources confirm that the couple has been secretly dating for months. This comes as a surprise, given Claire Donovan's low public profile. But what's even more intriguing is Mr. Hayes' rapid rise to power. Just a decade ago, he was a simple employee in the Donovan Corporation..."

Victoria's head snapped up.

Gordon Hayes.

The same Gordon who once worked for them.

She remembered him now quiet, intense, always in the background.

Her husband never liked him, but Victoria had paid little attention to the young man.

And now... he was a billionaire?

And marrying her daughter?

She shot up from her seat, grabbing her phone and dialing Claire's number.

It rang.

And rang.

And rang.

Straight to voicemail.

Her chest tightened.

Claire hadn't told her. Hadn't told anyone.

And something about that made Victoria deeply uneasy.

The Next Day

Victoria tried calling again.

Voicemail.

Her heart pounded as she paced the room.

This wasn't like Claire.

Even if they didn't always see eye to eye, she would never do something this... reckless.

A marriage to Gordon Hayes of all people?

There had to be more to this.

Just as she was about to try Claire's number again, the door to her husband's study creaked open.

Victoria turned to see Richard Donovan standing there his face dark, his grip tight on his phone.

Their eyes met.

And for the first time in years, she saw something unsettling flash across his face.

Recognition.

Anger.

And something else.

Fear.

"Victoria," he said slowly, his voice cold.

"We have a problem."