“My daughter, Sophia Langley.”
The ballroom doors opened fully.
And I stepped inside.
Silence crashed over the room so violently it almost felt physical.
I wore a silver gown embroidered with thousands of tiny crystals that shimmered beneath the chandelier light like falling stars. Diamond earrings caught the glow with every step I took across the marble floor.
Calm.
Composed.
Untouchable.
The same executives who barely acknowledged me before immediately rose to their feet.
Applause thundered through the ballroom.
Daniel’s champagne glass slipped from his hand.
CRASH.
His face lost all color.
“S-Sophia…?” he whispered.
Elise stumbled backward so quickly she nearly fell.
“No…” Daniel muttered shakily. “No, that’s impossible…”
I walked toward him slowly while the crowd parted around me.
Every step felt measured.
Controlled.
When I finally stopped in front of him, I looked directly into his terrified eyes.
“Good evening, Daniel,” I said softly.
His breathing became uneven.
Victor Langley stepped beside me.
“You told people your wife was a burden,” my father said calmly. “Interesting choice… considering she owns thirty-eight percent of this company.”
Gasps exploded across the ballroom.
Daniel looked like he might faint.
“You… you never told me…” he stammered.
I tilted my head slightly.
“You never asked,” I replied.
Elise immediately stepped away from him completely.
“Mr. Mercer approached me,” she blurted nervously. “I didn’t know she was—”
“Quiet,” Daniel snapped desperately.
But nobody was looking at him anymore.
The powerful executive everyone admired only moments earlier now looked small.
Pathetic.
Broken.
Daniel suddenly dropped to his knees.
“Sophia, please,” he begged, grabbing at my dress. “I was stressed. I didn’t mean any of it. We can fix this—”
Two security guards stepped forward instantly.
I looked down at him coldly.
“Careful,” I said quietly. “You might burn this dress too.”
A wave of shocked murmurs spread across the room.
Daniel froze.
My father turned toward the board members.
