RESCUED BY THE DEVIL 🔞

13. THE GRAND INTRODUCTION

Rachel above<<<<<

The golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over the grand hall, illuminating the elegantly dressed guests as soft classical music played in the background. Laughter and polite conversation filled the air, but as Lucian entered with Selene by his side, the atmosphere subtly shifted. Eyes turned toward them, some filled with curiosity, others with envy.

Selene clung slightly to Lucian’s arm, her heart racing. The scrutiny was suffocating, but she knew this moment was inevitable. Her presence at this event was more than just an appearance—it was a statement. Lucian Blackwood had married, and his wife was standing beside him, not as a mere accessory but as someone who belonged in his world.

Lucian led her through the crowd effortlessly, exuding power and confidence. He greeted high-profile businessmen, influential investors, and individuals who held significant stakes in his empire. Each step he took was measured, purposeful, as if he were guiding Selene through a battlefield rather than a ballroom.

Eventually, they arrived at a private section of the hall where Lucian’s most trusted business partners were gathered. These were men and women of power, individuals who had worked alongside him for years.

Lucian stopped, tightening his hold on Selene’s waist as he turned to address them. His voice, deep and commanding, cut through the murmur of the room.

"Everyone," he announced smoothly, "meet my wife, Selene."

A brief silence stretched across the group as all eyes turned to her. Some with intrigue, others with disbelief. Selene swallowed, keeping her posture composed despite the nerves tingling in her stomach.

One of the older gentlemen, a man in his sixties with silver hair and sharp eyes, stepped forward first. He extended his hand with a polite smile.

"Mrs. Blackwood, it’s a pleasure to finally meet the woman who captured Lucian’s heart," he said with amusement.

Selene hesitated for only a second before shaking his hand gently. "It’s an honor to meet you, sir," she replied softly yet clearly.

Another woman, an elegant lady in her forties, studied Selene with interest. "You’re quite different from the women Lucian usually surrounds himself with," she noted, curiosity evident in her tone.

Selene lowered her gaze slightly, feeling her cheeks warm. "I… I can only be myself," she responded honestly, her fingers brushing against the fabric of her gown.

The older man chuckled. "A rare thing these days. Purity, grace, and modesty." He turned to Lucian. "You have a gem, Blackwood."

Lucian’s gaze softened just a fraction as he tightened his hold on Selene’s waist. "I know," he said simply.

Selene swallowed, her heart skipping a beat. She wasn’t used to such high praise, nor was she used to standing in the center of attention like this. But Lucian’s presence beside her kept her steady.

The conversations continued, and Selene responded respectfully whenever a question was directed at her. She spoke only when necessary, choosing her words carefully. Her manners, the way she carried herself, did not go unnoticed.

By the end of the introductions, whispers had already begun to spread through the room—Selene, the mysterious woman who had entered Lucian Blackwood’s life, was nothing like they had expected.

And for some, that was either a pleasant surprise… or a threat.

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Across the room, Layla’s hands clenched into fists as she watched the scene unfold before her. Her stomach churned with resentment, her grip tightening around the delicate stem of her champagne glass.

Selene. The woman she had once belittled, mocked, and cast aside like trash… was now the center of attention. She was standing beside Lucian Blackwood, draped in wealth and admiration, while Layla was forced to watch from the shadows.

It was supposed to be her.

Selene was supposed to be nothing—forgotten, discarded, humiliated. Yet here she was, glowing under the lights of the grand chandelier, her beauty emphasized by the elegant gown she wore. The very sight of her made Layla’s blood boil.

Lucian’s protective stance over Selene, the way his hand remained firmly at her waist, the way he introduced her with such certainty—it was unbearable.

Layla’s nails dug into her palm as she struggled to maintain her composed smile. She had thought taking Noah from Selene had been a victory, had assumed Selene would wither away in shame and heartbreak. But instead, Selene had risen above it all, securing a future far grander than Layla could ever dream of.

Noah, standing beside her, shifted uncomfortably. He, too, was watching Selene, though his gaze was unreadable.

"You’re staring too much," Layla hissed under her breath.

Noah blinked and turned to her, masking his expression. "I was just… surprised."

Layla scoffed. "Surprised? That she managed to crawl her way into Lucian Blackwood’s bed?" Her voice dripped with venom.

Noah said nothing, but the way he clenched his jaw didn’t go unnoticed by Layla.

Jealousy burned through her veins like fire. Selene had taken everything—no, she had surpassed Layla in ways she never could have imagined.

She needed to remind Selene of her place. She needed to make her fall.

A cruel smile curled at Layla’s lips as she took another sip of her champagne.

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The night was far from over.