The sun had set, and the Vane estate was glowing under the outdoor lights. Inside, Julius stood in front of his mirror, adjusting his cuffs. His suit was dark and fit him perfectly. He looked like the Alpha everyone expected him to be—strong, calm, and in control.

He checked his reflection one last time, making sure not a single hair was out of place. He needed to look perfect for the cameras.

He walked out of his room and headed down the stairs. His mother was waiting in the foyer. She was dressed for the event too, but her face was pale, and her eyes were red.

She looked like she hadn’t slept at all.

"You’re really doing this," she said. It wasn’t a question.

"The car is waiting," Julius said, his voice flat. He didn’t stop to look at her.

"Julius, please." She stepped in front of him, her hand trembling as she reached out. "Be ready for the consequences. You think you’re playing them, but you’re the one in the trap."

"You don’t know what you are throwing away."

Julius looked through her, his expression cold. "I’m not throwing anything away, Mom. I’m just picking up the pieces you dropped."

He stepped around her and walked out the front door. The cool night air hit his face, but he didn’t feel it. He climbed into the back of the car and stared at the dark window.

"Pick up Helen," he told the driver.

The drive to Helen’s house was short. When they pulled up, she was already waiting under the porch light. She looked beautiful in a flashy gown that sparkled under the streetlights.

It was expensive and loud, exactly her style.

She was smiling brightly as the driver opened the door for her.

She slid into the seat next to Julius, the smell of her heavy perfume filling the car.

"You look amazing, Julius," she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

"Thanks," Julius said. He didn’t move toward her.

As the car pulled away, Helen couldn’t stay quiet. She was buzzing with energy, her hands moving as she talked.

"My father is so happy about this," she said, looking at him with wide eyes. "He was so worried after that last argument we had. But I told him, I told him we just needed a little time apart to realize what we have. Don’t you think?"

Julius watched the streetlights pass by. "Maybe."

"I was thinking we could go away next weekend," she continued, her voice getting faster. "Just the two of us. To the lake house. We could really start talking about the future again."

"The wedding plans are still sitting in my office, you know. We wouldn’t have to change much."

"We’ll see," Julius muttered.

"And the merger," she said, leaning closer. "If we show everyone tonight that we are back together, the investors will stop panicking. It’s a win for everyone."

"It’s like we’re a power couple again. Isn’t it great?"

"Sure," Julius said.

Helen slowed down. She looked at his profile, sensing the wall he had built between them. She tried to think of something else to say, but his short answers were like a door shutting in her face.

Eventually, she gave up and just stared at her own reflection in her phone screen, fixing her lipstick in the silence.

The car slowed down as they reached the venue. The street was lined with fans and photographers. The camera flashes were so bright they looked like lightning against the dark sky.

Julius could hear the shouting before they even opened the door.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Always," Helen said, putting on her best pageant smile.

The door opened, and the noise became a roar. Julius stepped out first, then reached back to help Helen. The moment they were both on the red carpet, the shouting intensified.

"Julius! Over here!"

"Is the reunion official?"

"Are you two back together?"

Julius didn’t answer them with words. He played the part perfectly. He wrapped an arm around Helen’s waist and pulled her close.

He leaned down, his lips brushing her cheek in a soft peck.

It was a calculated move.

He heard the cameras clicking rapidly, capturing the "romantic" moment from every angle.

He led her up the stairs and through the massive gold doors of the ballroom.

The moment they walked inside, a hush fell over the front of the room. Heads turned. People whispered behind their hands.

Julius kept his head high, his arm firm around Helen as they walked onto the main floor.

He scanned the crowd, looking for one person.

He found him near the far end of the ballroom. Harrison was standing with a group of older men in suits, investors and board members.

He was holding a champagne glass, his face a mask of cold stone.

Even from across the room, Julius could feel the intensity of his gaze.

Harrison looked lethal.

He wasn’t wearing his usual calm expression. He looked like a hunter watching his prize walk away with someone else.

Julius didn’t look away. He didn’t flinch.

Instead, he let a slow, mocking smirk spread across his face.

He wanted Harrison to see it. He wanted Harrison to know that his threats didn’t work.

Harrison’s reaction was subtle, but Julius saw it.

Harrison’s grip on his champagne glass tightened. His knuckles turned white, and the veins in his hand began to pop against the skin.

He looked like he was about to shatter the glass in his bare hand.

"Julius, let’s get a drink," Helen said, tugging on his arm.

"Go ahead," Julius said, his eyes still locked on Harrison. "I’ll catch up."

He watched Harrison turn back to the investors, but the man’s shoulders were stiff.

The air in the room felt tight, like a string pulled too far.

Julius took a deep breath, feeling a rush of power.

The war wasn’t in a dark office anymore.

It was here, in front of everyone.

And as Julius watched Harrison’s back, he knew the real tension was only just beginning.