Chapter 4 - Shadows in the BoardroomThe reality of being Mrs. Montero required public appearances. Ricardo’s board of directors was skeptical of the sudden marriage, viewing Elena’s middle-class background as a potential liability for the company's upcoming stock launch.
At a high-profile corporate gala in the city’s grandest hotel, Elena wore a emerald velvet gown. She stood by Ricardo’s side as wealthy investors and predatory executives swarmed them.
Julian Vance, a rival real estate tycoon and former business partner of Ricardo’s late father, approached them with a sneering smile.
“Ricardo,” Julian drawled, his eyes sliding over Elena with deliberate disrespect. “Congratulations on the nuptials. Though I must admit, the business world was shocked. A flower shop girl? Your father must be rolling in his grave. Did you marry her out of charity, or was it just a cheap way to satisfy the board’s family-man requirement?”
Elena felt the blood drain from her face. She stiffened, preparing herself for the sting of humiliation.
Before she could speak, Ricardo took a smooth step forward, putting his broad frame partially between Elena and Julian. His dark eyes turned lethal, his voice dropping into a dangerous, icy register that silenced the ambient noise around them.
“Julian,” Ricardo said slowly. “My wife’s family built a business with honest labor and thirty years of integrity—concepts I know are entirely foreign to you. Speak about her with anything less than total respect again, and I will pull Montero funding from your harbor project before midnight.”
Julian’s sneer vanished, replaced by a flash of genuine panic. He swallowed hard, muttered an apology, and slunk into the crowd.
Elena looked up at Ricardo in shock. His hand moved to the small of her back, warm and protective through the velvet of her dress.
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“You didn’t have to do that,” she whispered as they walked toward a quiet alcove.
“You are my wife,” Ricardo said simply, his thumb tracing a tiny circle against her waist through the fabric. “No one disrespects you in my presence. Not ever.”
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