Chapter 3 - The Black Suit Jacket
The heavy, toxic silence in the grand ballroom was absolutely deafening.
A medium close-up captured Nolan gracefully slipping off his heavy, incredibly expensive black suit jacket. Without saying a single word, he gently draped the warm fabric over River's shaking shoulders, perfectly covering her torn ice-blue dress and completely restoring her dignity.
River looked up at him in absolute, stunned disbelief. She had never met this terrifying titan in her entire life.
He gently lifted her chin with his strong, warm fingers, forcing her to look directly into his dark, fiercely protective eyes. He didn't speak to her like a mobster. He spoke to her with profound, undeniable respect.
"You don't need to hide," Nolan whispered softly, his deep voice meant only for her.
River physically flinched, her eyes wide with unadulterated panic. She frantically looked past his shoulder, her terrified gaze locking entirely onto Delaney.
"She... she said I was a fraud," River choked out, fresh tears flooding her brown eyes. "Delaney said I didn't belong at this gala. She said my invitation was a mistake."
Nolan didn't look back at Delaney. He didn't need to.
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"Your invitation wasn't a mistake, River," Nolan stated clinically, his voice echoing with absolute authority. "You are exactly where you are supposed to be."
👉 Delaney frantically tried to play her final, vicious card to save her ruined public image before the entire ballroom.
