Chapter 90 THE COMEBACK AND THE THREAT
Dandelion.
The flash of cameras blinded me the moment we stepped onto the red carpet. I gripped Alex's arm tighter, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"Breathe," he murmured close to my ear. His hand settled on my lower back to keep me steady.
I inhaled slowly trying hard to hide my nervousness. The Greenville International Film Festival was crowded with hundreds of guests,with glittering lights and pristine elegance. Reporters shouted questions from behind velvet ropes.
"Miss Williams! How does it feel to be back?"
"Is that your husband?"
"What's his name?"
The festival had a "Bring you spouse along" invite rule, so I decided to use that opportunity to ask Alex to come with me, even though I'm insanely worried about what the media would think, if they would bring up another rumor that I was given the role by my secret lover. But then honestly after thinking about it, they would still find out soon that I got married anyway. But this time I wanted to be the one to break the news first, it's better than a leaked rumor.
Alex ignored them as we slowly walked in, he had agreed to this public appearance, but on one condition: no interviews, no names, no details. Just his presence beside me, to inform the public that I'm now married, and I agreed willingly because it's exactly what I would have suggested too. I wouldn't want the Media to go crazy if they found out he's the heir of the prestigious Graham family. Apart from that, it would reduce the risk of exposing him to his enemy.....I hope.
"Smile," I whispered to him.
"I don't smile for cameras."He replied blankly.
I frowned, "You're impossible."
"And you're stalling." He was right, I had stopped moving at a point. Somewhere inside that grand hall, critics were waiting to judge my performance. What if they hated it? What if my scandal with Chase still overshadowed everything I did?
Alex turned to face me fully, blocking the cameras with his broad shoulders.
"Listen to me, Angel." His green eyes locked onto mine. "You've already won. The film is brilliant. Your performance is brilliant and they're going to see that."
"You haven't even watched it yet."I pouted. His thumb traced my jawline,
"I don't need to. I know you. And besides I can't stand that particular scene where that guy touched you."He muttered in a low voice.
I chuckled shaking my head,"You're so petty Alex, it was just a hug." He hummed with an eye roll.
The certainty in his voice and his petty possessive nature helped ease my tension, I nodded straightening my spine. "Let's go."
We walked into the hall together, and I felt every eye in the room track our movement. Whispers erupted like wildfire.
"That's Dandelion Williams."
"She looks stunning."
"Who's the man?"
"Oh my world, they both look so perfect together."
The festival coordinator rushed forward smiling brightly. "Miss Williams, we're so honored to have you and your husband. Your screening starts in twenty minutes. Would you like to wait in the VIP lounge?"
"Thank you."I nodded with a smile.
The lounge buzzed with top directors, producers, actors. Some smiled at me warmly. Others looked away, still believing Chase's lies.
I spotted Mildred across the room. She wore a tight silver dress, that matched her dramatic makeup, When our eyes met, her smile faltered.
"Well, well, well" She sauntered over with a champagne glass in hand. "Big sister finally crawled out of her hole."
Alex's hand tightened on my waist, but I placed my palm over his. I could handle this.
"Mildred. How's your film doing?" I asked with a tight smile. I didn't miss the flicker in her eyes at the mention of film.
"It's Wonderful. The critics loved it."
Liar.
I hummed, "But I heard it was a bit.... lukewarm."
Her eyes flashed, she glared at Alex. "At least I didn't have to sleep with anyone to get roles."
I felt his grip tightened, even though he looked completely calm and ignorant,
"Be careful Mildred," I said softly. "You're in public. Wouldn't want people to see the real you."
She scoffed scornfully, "You mean the way they saw the real you? Oh wait, they already did."
My chest tightened, but I kept my voice calm. "Those photos were leaked by someone I trusted. Someone you helped."
She blinked. "I don't know what you're talking about."
I gave her a skeptical look, "You don't have to pretend, I know chase didn't act alone. And when I prove it, you'll wish you had been kinder."
I turned and walked away before she could respond. Alex followed silently.
"You okay?" he asked when we were alone.
I sighed, "I will be. After they see my film." Seeing Mildred ruined my already tense mood. Fortunately Alex didn't press further, he understood me perfectly.
The theater lights dimmed twenty minutes later. I sat beside Alex, my hands clasped so tightly.
The opening scene filled the screen. My character, a woman escaping an abusive relationship, appeared in the rain.
I had poured everything into this role. Every ounce of pain from Chase's betrayal, every moment of fear and shame and rage.
The audience went silent. For the whole ninety minutes, no one moved, no whispers, not even phones lit up, just complete, rapt attention. It somehow made me anxious about what their reaction would be.
The final scene came. My character stood at a cliff's edge, choosing life over death, choosing herself over the darkness.
Then the screen faded to black.
My breath caught, as the long seconds of silence stretched without any reaction.
Suddenly someone started clapping. Then another. And another. Then the entire theater rose to their feet.
A standing ovation, loud enough to be heard from miles away erupted.
My vision blurred with tears. Alex's hand found mine, squeezing gently.
"Told you," he whispered.
The applause thundered around us. People were literally crying. My gaze drifted to those hardened critics surprisingly wiping their eyes.
When the lights came up, I couldn't stop my tears. A director approached me immediately. "Miss Williams, that was extraordinary. I have a project starting next month, please do me a favor by joining the crew, we can discuss it anytime you want."
Another well known director appeared. "I must say Miss Williams, your talent is incredible. I'm casting for a lead role. You'd be perfect."
Before I could reply to their offers, another director chimed in, "My production company would love to work with you."
They swarmed me, all smiles with business cards and promises.
Across the room, I caught sight of Mildred. Her face had gone pale, our eyes met briefly before she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
.................................
Alexander.
I watched Dandelion handle the directors gracefully, answering questions, smiling genuinely, the joy of her career was coming back and it made my heart swell with pride.
She did it, she climbed back even from her lowest.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Walter's name flashed on the screen, I frowned. He knew not to call at this moment unless it was urgent.
"I need to take this," I whispered to Dandelion.
She nodded with a smile, still surrounded by industry people.
I stepped outside into the cool night air. "What is it?"
"Sir." Walter's voice was tight. "There's been an incident at the Riverside warehouse."
My eyes narrowed. "What kind of incident?"
"An explosion. No casualties, thank God. The night shift had just ended. But the building is half destroyed."
I held my nose bridge, forcing myself to stay calm. "Accident or intentional?"
"Intentional Sir. They found something in the rubble."
Just like I predicted.
"Show me."I muttered, He sent a photo to my phone.
A piece of paper, singed at the edges, with words scrawled in a familiar handwriting I would never forget:
Ghost Blade, I know you're alive. You took everything from me. Now I'll take everything from you. - Love: Grey Knight.
The ground seemed to tilt beneath my feet.
"That bastard," I hissed through gritted teeth, barely holding back my rage, his dark sense of humor hadn't changed a bit. After five years of living quietly, of building a legitimate life, Grey had found me, I knew he had months ago, but I didn't anticipate his attack this soon.
"Sir? Are you there?"
"I'm here." I answered coldly, "Increase security at all my properties immediately. I want armed guards at the penthouse, the estate, the headquarters. Everywhere."
"Already done Sir.What about Mrs. Graham?"
I looked back through the glass doors. Dandelion was laughing at something a producer said, her face glowing with happiness.
"Assign her two bodyguards, former military, vetted by me personally. They must never leave her side."
"But she won't like that."he reminded.
"I don't care. Just do it."I insisted.
"Sir, maybe we should involve the cops. This is a clear threat afterall."
"No. Instead let the bodyguards stalk her from a few meters. It's better than involving useless cops."
"But--"
"Grey operates above the law, Walter. He owns judges, police commissioners, entire precincts. How do you think he got a lighter sentence and is now back due to 'Good fucking Behavior.' Going to the police would only tell him exactly where we are and what we know."
"Then what do we do?"He asked worriedly.
I stared at the message again, rage building in my veins. "This is between him and me. It always has been. Just prepare the team. I want full surveillance on anyone connected to Grey's old network. I want to know every move he makes before he makes it."
"You're going to war." I could clearly hear the edge on his voice.
"I've been at war since the day I faked my death. I just hoped it wouldn't come to this."
He sighed, "Alright Sir."
I ended the call and went back inside. Dandelion saw my face, immediately, her smile faded.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just some business call."I lied faking a small smile.
She's very sensitive, so I know she might feel the tension, but it doesn't matter, I won't ruin her happiness with fear. This is between me and Grey, and I'll do whatever it takes not to ring her into our war.