The ceremony began, moving with the slow, deliberate tension of a knife being drawn quietly from a leather sleeve.

The Archbishop—a man who had undoubtedly received a handsome donation from Blackwell Capital—droned on about duty, obedience, and the sanctity of the marital bond.

I stared straight ahead, letting the words wash over me.

Adrian delivered his vows first.

His voice was a rich, warm baritone, carrying perfectly through the cathedral’s impeccable acoustics.

Every single sentence was polished, focus-grouped, and perfectly calibrated for the society pages.

“Clara, from the moment I met you, I knew I’d found my anchor,” he lied beautifully, gazing deep into my eyes.

“I promise to protect you fiercely, to honor your family’s great legacy, and to build an empire of trust and a future of unshakeable devotion beside you.”