He Made Her Queen, Then Took Her Crown

Chapter 6: The Shift

 He wasn’t the same. His clothes? Impeccable. His suit was tailored to perfection, not the modest, understated style he had once worn. It was dark—almost black—but with a sheen that caught the light in a way that suggested wealth, refinement. His shoes—polished, perfectly cut—shone under the soft lighting of the ballroom. Everything about him screamed power. The subtle details of his appearance, his cold but assured demeanor, made him stand out among the crowd like a predator among prey. He was no longer the man she had dismissed.

 And then there was his aura. There was a gravity around him now, a subtle force that made the air feel thicker whenever he moved through it. He wasn’t just another face in the crowd anymore. Rowan had become something more—a man who commanded attention without saying a word.

 But what really caught Lena’s attention was the way the people around him treated him.

 She had been walking toward the bar when she saw him. At first, she thought it was just someone she hadn’t noticed before, someone part of the elite circle that moved in the shadows.

 For a second, time seemed to stop. The room was still.

 But before she could piece it together, the moment was interrupted. A loud laugh echoed from behind her. Dominic.

 He stepped into her path, like a predator closing in on its prey. His arm slid around her waist casually, and his smile was far too comfortable. "Lena, sweetheart,."

 The distaste in his voice was clear. It was all too obvious that he was still treating her like property, like a prize he was chasing. But Lena, for the first time in a while, didn’t seem to mind. She smiled back, too easily. Too complacently.

 Rowan's fingers tightened around his drink. He had seen enough.

 This was where it ended.

***************

 He stepped forward, his movement smooth but with intent. As he approached, his presence seemed to suck the air out of the room. He was like a silent storm, gathering in power.

 Lena, finally noticing him, froze. Her smile faltered. She seemed... unsure. But before she could even react, he spoke, his voice low, but every word a clear threat.

 "I didn’t know this was how you spent your nights now, Lena," he said, his eyes cold.

 The words sent a chill down her spine. She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. She didn’t know what to say—what could she say? To defend herself now would be admitting the truth.

 Rowan didn't give her the chance. His eyes shifted from her to Dominic, who was still clinging to her side. "I hope you're enjoying the show," he said, his words dripping with an unsettling calm.

 Dominic’s grin faltered. "What the hell are you—"

 "Nothing," Rowan cut him off with a sharp glance, his eyes narrowing. "But I think you should remember your place, Voss. You're walking a very fine line."

 Lena’s gaze flickered between the two men, and it was in that moment—standing there, trapped between Rowan and Dominic—that she finally realized just how much had slipped out of her grasp.

 The room seemed to hold its breath, the silence stretching out.

 Rowan turned and walked away, his steps echoing in the quiet space.

 But as he did, he glanced back, his voice low, almost a whisper but carrying the weight of authority.

 "Lena, remember who helped you get here. You might not need me now... but we both know you won’t last without me."

 As soon as he turned around, Lena stopped him. “Are you nuts, Rowan? What is all this fake life shit? Who even invited you to a place where Lords are? You dare drop divorce papers on my desk and walk away like you matter? Let me get it into your thick skull, Rowan, no one likes you. Not me, not my mom, no one in this room, you hear me? I will send the divorce papers as soon as I have the time for such non-important things.”

 The whole crowd went silent behind her loud yell and screams, and she didn't notice. She was too caught up in her insecurity that she hadn’t notice people staring at her, disappointed. 

 “Is that not Rowan? The man who just helped me signed a $20 million deal? Who is that bitch speaking to him like that?” 

 Soon, a fine, aged man came into the equation. “Sir, I know you not, but tonight, you helped me land my first billion-dollar client. You, sir, are a god in human form. I know you may not have as much power as the rest of us, but I want you to know that I am grateful. See, if there is anything your heart ever desires, let me know and I will fulfill it in a jiffy.” 

 The old man was Mr. Hanz, CEO of Filmgrim Waters. He was a reputable man, one of the elites in the country. Yet, here he was thanking a mysterious, average-looking man who looked like he barely even made it past the gate. 

 But he was not the only one. Soon, a few other men and women came to thank and lay their hands on Rowan for using his smooth speech to connect them with potential clients, buyers, and investors. Big men, men of reputation.

 And so, Lena stood there, dumbfounded. What in the world was going on in her life? Mr. Hanz? He was one of her stakeholders. She had maximum respect for the man. How is it that… how????

 “Mr. Hanz, I am a nobody. See, I am just gifted with pitching, and I know just what to say to get the fishes out of the river without using a hook. I need nothing for you. Just call me when you need a Customer Service Representative and I would be glad to serve you.”

 And just like that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Lena frozen in place, the weight of his words sinking in like a lead balloon.

 The night had only just begun, and already, everything was shifting.