The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride (Elara and Victor) novel Chapter 9

+25 BONUS

Public Reactions

The morning after the wedding, the headlines were everywhere.

“Billionaire Damian Blackwood Marries High–Powered Attorney in á Surprise Ceremony.” “Power Couple or Strategic Alliance? Inside the Blackwood Hart Union.”

“From Rivals to Partners: The Unexpected Marriage of Darman Blackwood and Elara Hart.”

Elara sat at the breakfast table in Damian’s mansion, flipping through the numerous newspapers and magazines that had covered their wedding. She had expected the media frenzy, but seeing her name and face plastered on every page was jarring. The articles ranged from glowing admiration of their combined power to cynical speculation about their motives.

Damian, sitting across from her, appeared unbothered as he sipped his coffee and glanced at his tablet. He was used to being in the public eye, his every move analyzed and critiqued. For him, this was just another day. But for Elara, the scrutiny was frightening.

“Is it always like this?” she asked, setting down a tabloid with a headline that read, “Gold Digger or Legal Genius? Who Really Is Elara Hart?”

Damian looked up, his expression calm. “It’ll die down, eventually. They’re just hungry for a story right now.” She sighed, pushing the papers aside. “They’re making it sound like our marriage is nothing more than a business transaction. As if there’s no substance to it.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that what it is?”

His words stung, even though they were true. The marriage was, at its core, an arrangement–a deal that benefited them both. But hearing it stated so bluntly made her feel exposed, as if their private agreement had been laid bare for the world to dissect.

“I know,” she said, trying to mask her discomfort. “But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to read about it in every paper.”

Damian set his tablet down and leaned back in his chair, his eyes assessing her. “Elara, the media will say what they want. You can’t let it get to you. As long as we know the truth, that’s all that matters.”

She nodded, though she wasn’t entirely convinced. “And what about our friends and families? How do you think they’re reacting?”

A shadow passed over Damian’s face. “They’ll have their opinions, but they’re irrelevant. We did this for ourselves, not for them.”

Despite his confident words, Elara couldn’t help but wonder if Damian was as unaffected as he appeared. She knew he had a complicated relationship with his family, especially his mother, who was known for her manipulative tendencies. She wondered what she was thinking about the sudden marriage and whether she would be an ally or a hindrance in the days to come.

The phone on the table buzzed, breaking the silence. Damian glanced at the screen and frowned. “Speak of the devil,” he muttered before answering. “Mother.”

Elara watched as his expression shifted from calm to tense. He spoke in clipped tones, his jaw tightening with each word. She couldn’t hear what his mother was saying, but it was clear the conversation was not pleasant.

“Yes, I’m aware of the media coverage,” Damian said, his voice strained. “No, I don’t need your advice on handling it.”

1/3

Public Reactions

+25 BONUS

Elara looked away, giving him some moment of privacy, though it was impossible not to overhear the tension in his volce. She could sense the pressure his family was putting on their marriage, especially from his formidable

nother, who was known for her sharp tongue and even sharper mind.

After a few more terse exchanges, Damian ended the call and set the phone down with a little more force than necessary. He didn’t say anything, but the frustration in his eyes was clear.

“Your mother’s not happy about the marriage, I take it?” Elara ventured.

He let out a bitter laugh. “That’s putting it mildly. She thinks it’s a mistake–one that will jeopardize everything

I’ve worked for.

Elara felt a pang of guilt, even though this had been a mutual decision. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause trouble between you and your family.”

Damian waved her off. “Don’t apologize. My family’s opinions have never dictated my decisions, and they won’t start now.”

The conversation cast a heavy cloud over the room, leaving Elara feeling uneasy. She was aware that their marriage was already under scrutiny, but the added pressure from Damian’s inner circle made her feel even more

uneasy.

“Okay,” Elana whispered, trying to hide her emotion. Damian looked at her.

“The butler will show you to your room soon,” he announced. “I should have had it prepared before the wedding, but I was too busy handling other matters. I hope you were comfortable sleeping in the guest room.”

She watched him speak. “Yes, I am,” she responded.

Later that day, Elara received a call from her best friend, Tessa.

“Elara, what the hell?” Tessa’s voice was a mix of shock and disbelief. “I woke up to find out you married Damian Blackwood? How could you not tell me about this?”

Elara took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Tess. It all happened so fast. It wasn’t planned.”

“Not planned? You just happened to marry one of the most powerful men in the country on a whim? I know you’re ambitious, but this…”

“It’s complicated,” Elara interrupted, knowing Tessa’s mind was likely racing with assumptions. “I can’t explain everything right now, but please trust me when I say this was necessary.

There was a pause on the other end, and Elara could almost hear Tessa trying to piece together what little she knew. “Necessary for what? Your career? Your reputation? Elara, I’m worried about you. This doesn’t sound like you.”

“I know,” Elara admitted, her voice softening. “But I’m handling it. I just need you to trust me.”

“Of course, I trust you,” Tessa said, her tone more concerned than accusatory. “But I hope you know what you’re doing. Damian Blackwood isn’t exactly known for being easy to work with.”

Elara managed a small smile. “That’s putting it mildly.”

The call ended with Tessa promising to come back soon.

As the days went by, the whispers became more pronounced. Every social gathering, every meal, every public outing was tinged with a sense of judgment. Elara sensed it in the way people observed her, their gazes shifting

2/3

Public Reactions

+25 BONUS

between her and Damian, trying to read between the lines of their interactions.

She had expected skepticism, but the reality of living under such intense surveillance was more challenging than *she had anticipated. Yet, despite it all, she remained committed to the path she had chosen. This marriage, as

unconventional as it was, offered her a way out of the scandal that had nearly destroyed her career.

One evening, as they prepared for yet another social function, Damian paused as they were about to leave. He turned to her, his gaze unusually serious. “Elara, I know this isn’t easy for you. But you’re handling it better than I expected.”

The compliment took her by surprise. “Thank you. I’m just trying to do what we agreed.”

“I know,” he muttered. “But I must say, I am impressed. It will be over soon.” Elara couldn’t wait for the year to come and go. Everything about her life seemed unreal now. Damian’s world and everything in it felt

overwhelming, and she had yet to meet his mother and sister. She wondered what would become of her. Could she handle them?

“What are you thinking?” Damian asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. She quickly composed herself.

“Nothing, let’s go.”

Without pressing her further, he turned around and held her hand. “Shall we, honey?”

With a smile plastered on her face, she took Damian’s hand. “Yes.”

Today’s Bonus Offer