Chapter 17 A Shocking Announcement
Julian gracefully led Seraphina into the grand hall, their arms locked. The buzz of conversations dimmed the moment they both appeared.
Heads turned. Flashes of camera scattered white light across the grand floor.
“Who are they?”
“They are so gorgeous”
“Is he her man? God, he’s unreal”
“She looks tense,”
Seraphina flinched internally. She heard most of the comments, but redirected herself mentally towards her purpose. She couldn’t afford to be distracted.
The space was bigger than she imagined — high ceiling, dripping chandeliers, crystal glasses catching the light. Everything gleamed in gold and white. Her heels clicked against the floor as they walked deeper in, the sound too loud in her mind.
Julian’s composure never wavered. He moved like a man who owned the air around him. Guests parted for him without realizing they did. The waiters bent slightly as he passed. There was something about his presence — a quiet, magnetic authority that silenced the chatter.
When they reached the grand seats arranged for special guests, he pulled out her chair himself. She hesitated, glancing at him. He gave her a look that was both commanding and reassuring. She sat, smoothing her gown, trying to steady her hands on her lap.
Across the room, Damien squinted his eyes. “Julian?” He called out under his breath, in question.
Talia, who was just about to take another sip from her wine, paused. Then her head jerked towards the direction Damien was looking at. Colors instantly drained from her face as she saw it. Julian had just raised Seraphina’s hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
“Julian…was invited?” Victor asked, eyes narrowing with frustration at his son.
“I guess so. But that’s not the problem, father. That lady he just sat down…that’s Seraphina.” Damien whispered to Victor.
The older man’s eyes widened, hands folding into fists on the table. “I thought you were going to get to her! She shouldn’t be here!”
“Sssh, you will call attention, dad. You have to keep calm and pretend you don’t see them. We are all guests here and can just hope no one would recognize her for now.” Damien said, his jaw tightening with restrained fury.
Talia heard them speaking beside her, but she could barely engaged because she was having a hard time containing her jealousy as she watched the only man she truly wanted to get married to worship Seraphina publicly.
She took her phone from the table and dialed her mother’s contact, but Sheryl didn’t pick up. Her mother had just followed a known politician outside earlier. She wished Sheryl hadn’t missed this. Maybe she would have suggested something to calm her or come up with a plan.
Meanwhile, Seraphina was trying to adjust to being seen, but Julian wasn’t helping. He was collecting attention towards them without even trying hard.
“Cooperate, Phine. It’s going to be a long night.” He whispered into her ears. She shivered—because of his words and something else that had to do with her nerves reacting to him.
“Get yourself together, Sera” she mentally warned herself.
Just then, the host’s voice sounded through the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the CEO of Zenith One Technologies, the man behind this remarkable expansion- Mr. Julian Thorne!”
The entire hall erupted in surprised applause. The murmurs followed quickly- gasps, disbelief, and shock at the name.
Victor froze. Damien’s glass almost slipped from his hand.
Julian walked up the short flight of steps with slow confidence. The stage lights hit his face — sharp jawline, controlled eyes, the calm of a man who feared nothing.
He reached the podium and adjusted the microphone slightly. The applause died down. Silence filled the hall.
He smiled faintly. “Good evening, everyone.” His voice was smooth, deep, and flawless. “It’s an honor to have you all here — investors, associates, partners, and… family.”
That last word was deliberate. Victor’s jaw clenched. Julian glanced their way, making sure their eyes met, then he returned his attention to the guests sitted.
“I built Zenith One out of ashes,” Julian continued, gaze sweeping across the hall. “A long time ago, I was forced out of my home. I lost everything, name, dignity, and belonging. Tonight, I stand here not as a man who has lost everything, but as a man who won.”
The crowd cheered, raising glasses. Cameras flashed wildly.
Someone- a man in orange suits among the guests raised a finger up, collecting attention. Julian acknowledged him with a nod. The man walked forward. “But we heard that you were transferred from the country because had mental disorder. The story you just told didn’t have that information in it.”
Murmurs rose afterwards, people arguing about the unknown. One of Julian’s event coordinators silenced the crowd.
Julian waited until the noise calmed before speaking. “I, Julian Thorne, had never been mentally sick before. Whatever I had said tonight, was the actual truth.”
“So, did your father lie about your sickness back then? He was interviewed after your disappearance and that was the context he gave. That you were mentally ill.” The man emphasized.
Julian contemplated calling his father out to speak, but he could already sight him slipping out of the event in embarassment. Even if he had stayed, he wouldn’t call him out- yet. He wasn’t about to let his father’s wicked act overshadow the main cause of the night— Seraphina Moreau.
“Oh oh, Mr stranger, that was never right. But before we get lost into something a context as character-assasinating as that, shall we move on with the good part of the event instead?”
Julian voiced in a tone that left no room for argument and wasn’t mean either. The man nodded. “It’s my utmost pleasure speaking with the CEO of Zenith One himself.” He said before returning to his seat.
Congratulations were heard from different angles before Julian’s voice rose again.
“Dear wonderful guests, before we toast to victory, I have someone special to introduce to you all. Someone who… came into my life and brought warmth into my existence.”
Every head turned in curiosity.
Seraphina’s breath caught. Her fingers twisted in her lap.
Without wasting time, Julian left the podium and walked down the stage, straight to where she sat. The crowd murmured as he stopped before her and extended a hand.
She hesitated, her pulse drumming fast. Then she stood and placed her hand in his.
Julian guided her up the steps, leading her to the stage. The lights caught her gown, a stunning black that shimmered under the glow.
When they reached the center, Julian turned to the guests again.
“This,” he said clearly, his voice cutting through the air, “is Seraphina Moreau — daughter of the late Ambrose Moreau.”
The reaction was instant- loud, disbelieving gasps. People exchanged looks, whispers breaking out like wildfire.
Even Seraphina’s eyes widened. She hadn’t known he would say her name.
Another person stood up and threw a question. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but the Seraphine Moreau we heard about died shortly after her parents’ death in a fire accident.”
Julian smirked, before raising the microphone back to his mouth. “Many of you thought she was dead. But fate had other plans. She escaped death, and she’s here today, alive — and she belongs to no one’s pity or past.” He let the words sink before he continued.
“If anyone dares to come after her again…” His tone dropped, deep and sharp. “They will have to come through me first.”
The crowd went silent. His rested-cold eyes met Damien’s across the room. Damien looked like he could barely breath.
Seraphina slowly turned her head toward Julian, her eyes meeting his. His protectiveness stunned her- his words, his tone- even if they were all for show like they had planned. For a moment, the world around her blurred
Then, softly, he said, “And one more thing.”
He reached into his suit pocket, went down on one knee before her, and revealed a small black box. The crowd gasped again- a ripple of sound rolling through the hall.
“No way…this…this cannot be happening.” Talia’s voice shook where she was seated.” Damien’s eyes were glued on the center stage. He couldn’t look away.
Julian opened the small box, revealing the simple designed diamond ring inside. His voice was bold and certain as he asserted the expected question to her, “Seraphina Moreau… will you marry me?”
Camera flashed wildly. Gasps, claps and screams filled the hall. Her mind spun. She knew this was the plan but the method he went about doing it was what she didn’t expect.
She faked a genuine smile then stretched her hand. “Yes, I will.” Julian smiled and applauses rose, but before he could house her finger inside the ring, an angry voice thundered from the crowd.
“Nonsense!”