As we walked inside, silence fell over the crowd like a sudden storm. My father, still holding the microphone, was frozen in place, his earlier smugness now replaced by disbelief.

Arthur’s presence was a force field, the whispers dying as we moved. My father finally found his voice, though it was weaker than before. “Who the hell is this?”

I stepped closer to Arthur, drawing strength from his unwavering support. “This is my husband, Arthur Blackwell,” I announced, my voice clear and steady. “CEO of Blackwell Industries.”