The Grand commander's Return; Ex-wife's fatal Mistake

Chapter 8: The Grand Opening Gala

The State Convention Center was illuminated like a massive diamond under the clear night sky, its blinding spotlights cutting through the darkness and casting brilliant beams across the grand entrance plaza.

A velvet red carpet stretched over fifty yards from the curb to the glass double doors, lined on both sides by hundreds of roaring paparazzi, flashbulbs popping in a non-stop storm of white light. Dozens of luxury sports cars and sleek armored sedans pulled up every minute, dropping off international central bankers, tech billionaires, and high-ranking government officials.

Walking down the center of the red carpet, basking in the glow of live news cameras, was the Sawyer family alongside Brody Cromwell.

Martha wore a glittering silver gown that practically screamed new money, her neck draped in heavy, diamond-encrusted strands as she waved haughtily at the reporters. Beside her, Ethan adjusted his velvet bowtie, popping his collar and grinning like a prince inspecting his kingdom.

"Look at those cameras, Nala!" Martha giggled in a high-pitched, ecstatic whisper, leaning over to her daughter. "Every financial network in the country is broadcasting live! Tonight, the Sawyer name becomes royalty!"

Nala walked with her chin held high, wearing a figure-hugging emerald silk dress that shimmered under the stage lights. She smiled gracefully for the flashing lenses, her hand wrapped tightly around Brody ’s arm.

Brody , dressed in a custom Italian tuxedo, stopped right in front of a cluster of reporters holding news microphones.

"Mr Cromwell! Miss Sawyer!" a female reporter shouted over the noise of the crowd. "There are rumors that the Aegis Core integration tonight will grant Cromwell Capital complete control over the National Central Reserve Grid! How does it feel to achieve this historical breakthrough?"

Brody flashed a dazzling, million-dollar smile, puffing out his chest as he took the microphone.

"It isn't just a breakthrough, Sarah," Brody announced, his voice booming through the speakers mounted around the plaza. "It is the start of a new era. Cromwell Capital and Sawyer Dynamics have built a system that is entirely unhackable, infinitely scalable, and utterly flawless. In less than an hour, when we push the launch key, we will secure this nation's financial future forever."

Applause broke out among the surrounding guests. Martha looked like she was about to cry tears of pure joy, while Ethan crossed his arms, smirking arrogance at the crowd.

Nala leaned into Brody 's shoulder, feeling the intoxicating rush of absolute status. She had sacrificed her marriage, discarded her house-husband, and bet everything on Brody and now, she was standing at the pinnacle of society.

SCREEECH!

Suddenly, the roar of the crowd died down as a custom, matte-black Maybach limousine pulled up right at the head of the red carpet.

The vehicle was flanked by four heavy armored SUVs bearing the gold lion insignia of Griffin Industries. The sheer presence of the motorcade sucked the air right out of the plaza.

"Is that... Griffin Industries?" a news anchor muttered into his headset, gesturing frantically to his camera crew.

"Fiona Griffin is here?!"

The chauffeur hurried around to open the rear door.

A slender, flawless leg wearing a high-heeled velvet shoe stepped onto the red carpet. Fiona Griffin emerged from the vehicle, wearing an exquisite midnight-blue evening gown that draped over her shoulders like liquid silk.

Her long dark hair was styled in soft waves, and her sharp, striking eyes radiated the undisputed authority of a woman who commanded a multi-billion-dollar empire.

The paparazzi went completely wild, flashbulbs exploding in a blinding frenzy.

Then, Fiona turned back toward the open car door, extending her hand with a warm, stunning smile.

A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out of the Maybach, taking her hand. He wore a masterfully tailored charcoal suit that fitted his broad chest and lean frame perfectly. His dark hair was neatly styled, his posture erect as a steel pillar, and his deep-set, unblinking eyes held a quiet, terrifying calm that instantly dominated the entire plaza.

It was Declan Wilde.

The crowd gasped. The reporters stared in sheer shock, scrambling to look through their press sheets to identify the handsome, commanding man standing alongside the most powerful heiress in the country.

On the red carpet, Sawyer's family froze.

The triumphant smile on Nala's face shattered into a million pieces. Her hands went numb, her eyes bulging in complete, utter disbelief as she stared at the man walking beside Fiona.

Declan?

He wasn't wearing his faded technician polo. He wasn't carrying heavy cables or looking down at his worn boots. Standing beside Fiona Griffin, Declan looked like a dark monarch, an elite executive whose very presence made every suit on the red carpet look like cheap fabric.

"What... what is that parasite doing here?!" Martha shrieked, her voice screeching so loudly that several nearby guests turned to stare. Her diamond necklace rattled as her chest heaved in explosive rage.

Ethan’s jaw practically hit the floor, his face twisting into an ugly, furious scowl. "Is he wearing a custom suit?! Who the hell does he think he is?!"

Brody ’s smooth composure cracked instantly. His veins bulged against his collar as a wave of intense humiliation and rage flooded his mind. He had thrown fifty dollars at Declan's feet just yesterday, calling him a janitor and now, Declan was stepping onto the red carpet out of a Maybach with Fiona Griffin!

Nala's heart hammered violently against her ribs. An unexpected, burning knot of jealousy twisted deep inside her stomach, a raw, sickening ache that caught her completely off guard. She had thrown Declan out like trash, believing he was nothing without her family. But seeing him now, walking with effortless grace beside a woman far wealthier, far more powerful, and far more beautiful than her... it felt like a scorching slap straight across her face.

Unable to contain his rage, Brody shoved his way past the reporters, storming down the red carpet toward Declan and Fiona, with Nala, Martha, and Ethan marching right behind him.

"Declan Wilde!" Brody barked, his voice laced with venom as he stopped five feet away, pointing an angry finger. "What kind of sick game are you playing?! How dare you show your pathetic face at our launch event!"

Martha pushed her way to the front, her face red with pure fury as she pointed her sharp fingernail at Declan's nose. "You shameless, gold-digging parasite! You got divorced yesterday and you're already creeping around Miss Griffin like a desperate dog?! Did you steal that suit from a rental shop?!"

Ethan sneered, stepping into Declan's space. "He's probably trying to scam Miss Griffin! Hey, tech boy, did you tell her you were living off my sister's charity for three years?!"

The live news cameras instantly swiveled, zooming in on the dramatic confrontation. The reporters held their breath, furiously scribbling notes as the scandal unfolded live on national television.

Declan didn't flinch. He stood like an unyielding mountain in the center of the red carpet, his dark eyes looking down at Martha and Brody with an icy, absolute detachment that made their frantic yelling look pitiful.

Nala stepped forward, her green dress rustling, her voice tight and trembling with suppressed envy. "Declan, stop this. I know you're hurt because I signed the divorce papers. I know you're bitter because Brody took Sawyer Dynamics to the top. But coming here, clinging to Miss Griffin just to make me jealous... it’s pathetic."

Declan slowly turned his head to look at Nala. His face was completely devoid of emotion. No anger. No hurt. Just a cold, empty void that made Nala's stomach drop.

Before Declan could even speak, Fiona Griffin took a slow, deliberate step forward and wrapped her slender arm tightly around Declan's, leaning her head comfortably against his shoulder with a sweet, radiant smile that oozed protective affection.

She gently smoothed the lapel of Declan's charcoal suit, then raised her sharp, dark eyes to lock onto Nala’s pale face.

"Clinging to me to make you jealous?" Fiona let out a soft, melodic laugh that dripped with razor-sharp contempt. "Miss Sawyer, please don't flatter yourself. Declan doesn't need to make anyone jealous."

Fiona turned to face Brody and Martha, her voice carrying a smooth, commanding authority that echoed across the entire entrance plaza.

"Declan Wilde is my Chief Security Advisor and my personal executive guest tonight," Fiona announced, her eyes flashing with pure ice.

"I don't care about the ridiculous lies your family spreads to protect your fragile egos. I know his worth. He is ten times the man anyone in your family will ever be."

GASPS!

Shockwaves rippled through the surrounding crowd. The reporters went crazy, typing furiously on their phones: "Fiona Griffin publicly defends Declan Wilde!" "The heiress snaps at Sawyer's Dynamics!"

Nala felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head. Her face flushed a deep, burning red. Seeing Fiona wrap her arm so comfortably around Declan, seeing the quiet, protective affection in Fiona's eyes, felt like a dagger plunging straight into her heart.

Brody ’s face turned ghastly pale, his hands trembling with rage as he stood completely humiliated on live television. "Miss Griffin... you're making a massive mistake! That man is a fraud! He’s worth nothing!"

Fiona didn't even bother replying to Brody. She patted Declan's arm gently, looking up at him with a soft smile. "Shall we go inside, Declan? The air out here is getting a bit foul."

"Lead the way," Declan said quietly, his voice deep and smooth.

Declan and Fiona strolled past the Sawyer's family, stepping through the glass double doors into the grand hall, completely ignoring the stunned family left behind on the red carpet.