DAMIEN’S POV

The corridor outside the ballroom was still filled noise, but my attention was no longer there.

Declan had just been taken away by security after what had happened in the restroom.

I’d already decided that it wasn’t the priority of the night. What mattered more was control, appearances, and ensuring nothing disrupted the rest of the evening.

Tiffany stood beside me, adjusting her posture.

She looked at me carefully, like she was waiting for a reaction that would confirm I still had everything under control.

I kept my expression neutral, even though the image of Declan’s bruised face had already been stored in my mind.

That bastard.

Declan was my brother. Still, I couldn’t deny that he deserved the beating Zade gave him. He was always fond of causing trouble and I was sick of it.

“Tiffany,” I said calmly, straightening my jacket as we walked back toward the ballroom entrance. “Make sure this incident doesn’t reach the guests unnecessarily.”

Tiffany nodded “And Declan?”

“He’ll be handled privately,” I replied simply.

Behind us, Declan had refused to re-enter the main hall. Instead, he chose to remain hidden in one of the private rooms.

I hadn’t pushed him to come in because I knew what he looked like would only create unnecessary attention.

He was embarrassed.

I’d briefly seen his condition before leaving the restroom area.

His injuries were severe. Still, I didn’t feel bad. I didn’t see him as a priority.

To me, this was just karma. He caused this by himself.

I was more worried about the dinner and staying by Tiffany’s side.

As we re-entered the ballroom, I immediately noticed the shift in atmosphere.

The energy was more tense than before, and I could sense why even before I saw them.

Zade was already there. He stood near the far side of the hall, speaking casually with a group of guests. He spoke casually, like he hadn’t just beaten up my brother half an hour ago.

Zade turned at that moment, as if sensing my attention. His eyes locked onto Tiffany first, then shifted to me.

He smirked as he stepped forward.

My wolf growled inside me. My fists clenched. I knew he would be trouble.

I was still boiling with anger due to everything he’d said and did. He spoke to me like he deserved my wife. His words left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Interesting,” he said lightly “I didn’t expect to see you back here after everything that’s been happening.”

His tone was casual, but I could hear how provoking he was.

My wolf kept growling inside me but I kept my composure.

Tiffany frowned but I squeezed her hand, signaling her not to engage.

“You should be careful with how you speak,” I replied.

Zade chuckled softly.

“Careful?” he repeated, tilting his head. “That’s ironic coming from someone who can’t seem to make proper decisions about the people around him.”

The table nearby grew quieter as guests began to notice the conversation between us.

I was trying my best to keep myself composed but my patience was going thin.

I felt my wolf going feral inside me but I did my best to calm him down. I refused to react emotionally.

“If you have something to say, say it clearly,” I said coldly.

Zade’s smile widened and he leaned in just enough to lower his voice. “Your judgment is terrible, Damien,” he said simply. “That’s the truth everyone’s already thinking but no one wants to say.”

Tiffany placed a hand on my arm.

“Damien,” she whispered, but I didn’t move my eyes from Zade.

He was deliberately trying to provoke a reaction, and I understood that clearly. Still, I chose not to escalate it further in front of guests.

“You’re pathethic,” I said calmly “Why do this here?”

Zade shrugged. “Maybe I just don’t like watching people pretend they care about someone they keep failing.”

I felt several eyes shift toward us. People were whispering now.

Before I could respond, the attention in the room shifted again.

Sophia, Lance, and Professor Archer were talking near the opposite side of the hall.

Zade’s attention immediately moved to Sophia the moment he noticed her movement. Whatever hostility he’d shown toward me disappeared instantly.

He stepped away from me without another word, walking directly toward her.

I watched as Zade approached Sophia. His entire demeanor changed the moment he reached her. His eyes softened as he spoke to her.

“Are you alright?” he asked her. His voice was completely different from the one he had used with me. It was calm and protective.

Sophia nodded “I’m fine,”

“I’ll stay with you until you’re ready to leave,” Zade said quietly.

The words were simple, but the way he said them showed how much he cared about her.

“Zade, I can manage,” Sophia said gently.

Zade shook his head “I’m not saying you can’t. I’m saying I want to be here.”

From where I stood, I felt something tighten inside my chest. My wolf snarled inside me at the sight of them.

I felt something inside me. It wasn’t just jealousy. It was something more uncomfortable.

I was watching a man care for my wife ever more than I did.

Zade didn’t look like he was trying to impress anyone in that moment. He looked like someone who really cared about her.

And that realization made the entire room feel different.