Chapter 99

“Mr. Hardison!” another reporter yelled, his voice cutting above the crowd. “There have been so many rumors about your personal life recently. People are saying things about a secret marriage, about affairs… Can you tell us the truth tonight?” The words sliced through the air. For a second, the gala hushed. Conversations stilled, and dozens of cameras turned toward David and Marina, hungry for his answer. Marina’s hand tightened around David’s arm. Her smile didn’t falter, but a spark of triumph flashed in her eyes. This was it, the moment she had been waiting for. David’s jaw tensed. He didn’t look at Marina, nor at the crowd of reporters. His eyes briefly flickered toward the hall where people were watching. David’s head turned instinctively. His breath caught, though he didn’t move. His gaze locked on Lily, unwavering, unreadable but something in his chest stirred uneasily. Their eyes didn’t hold. He looked away too quickly. Marina felt the shift immediately. Her fingers tightened a