When Joshua West caught several men sliding admiring glances toward Haven Peters, he strode over, jaw tight and expression stern.

"What are you doing here? This isn't your spot. Where have you been? You here to stir up trouble?"

Haven met her ex’s cold, dismissive stare without a flicker of emotion. She even let a sharp little smile tug at her lips.

"What gives you the right to question me? My business is none of yours."

Joshua went dead silent, the words dying in his throat. He blinked at her impassive face, something unfamiliar twisting low in his gut.

It felt like something important was slipping right through his fingers. On instinct, he tightened his grip.

Who was Joshua West? A man of influence, proud of every inch of his status—how was he letting one woman get under his skin like this? Especially someone who used to mean nothing to him, someone who had him lowering his standards without a second thought?

Under the watchful stares of every guest around them, embarrassment pricked at his neck. He sharpened his tone to cling to his pride. "How long do you plan to keep playing this cat and mouse game? When you're done messing around, you might still be able to come begging."

Once upon a time, Joshua’s cruel remarks would have had Haven faking a brave front while her heart ached. But now? She just arched a brow, her face a mix of cold disdain and total indifference. "Do me a favor—stay the hell away from me. Just looking at you makes me sick."

Joshua couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. Stunned, he gaped at her openly disgusted expression, too shocked to get a word out.

Sophia Porter, who’d hurried over to catch up, caught every biting word Haven had said to her son. Her temper blew instantly. Joshua moved to stand protectively at her side as she jabbed a shaking finger at Haven and let her fury fly.

"Ungrateful little brat! What right do you have to talk to my son that way? You took everything from him and gave nothing back! And now, when Joshua’s company is hanging on by a thread, you’re here all dolled up like some 19th century leading lady, just trying to hook another rich sucker!"

Sophia’s words sent a wave of sharp whispers rippling through the crowd of guests.

"Who are these people? Do you know them?"

"No clue, but that woman did not hold back. This is a fancy gala— the girl she’s calling out has to be someone, right?"

Haven met all the curious, staring glances with cool, unshakable indifference. Her eyes stayed ice cold as she turned to Sophia. "Ma’am, watch your mouth. Your son and I have been done for a while now. What I do and where I go is none of your business. Only people with dirty minds see dirt where there isn’t any."

Sophia caught the dig immediately. She stared Haven down, like she was seeing her for the very first time. Haven had always been soft, always polite, never once dared talk back before.

Furious at Haven’s defiance, Sophia snapped. "How dare you speak to me that way? Where are your manners? You’re just a motherless little orphan!"

The words cut deep enough that Haven’s composure slipped for half a second. Just as she opened her mouth to fire back, a deep, ice-cold voice rolled across the entire ballroom.

"Who are you calling a motherless child?"

The whole crowd turned. Leonard Peters was striding in, face frosty, Nelson Carlson right at his side. They walked straight to Haven’s side, their eyes locked on Sophia, sharp and intimidating.

Two of the most powerful men in the room flanking Haven, all but wrapping her in protection—every eye in the ballroom was glued to them now.

It hit Joshua like a punch to the gut: how did Haven know Leonard Peters and Nelson Carlson?

Haven… Nelson…

A shocking possibility blew open in his mind, too wild to believe.

Leonard’s gaze was scorching with contempt, boring straight into Sophia and Joshua. "Who gave you the right to insult my wife?"

His words left them wide-eyed and shocked, a cold tremor running down both their spines.

"Wait a minute… that means she’s the long-lost one… Leonard Peters’ wife?"

"Told you she was somebody important! Kept hidden all this time. And with two big shots like that backing her? She’s basically royalty now. Those idiots messed with Leonard Peters and Nelson Carlson? They’re totally screwed."

"Man, the upper social scene’s about to get a whole lot interesting."

As the murmurs drifted to Sophia’s ears, she stared at Haven in total disbelief, her words tripping over themselves. "Wife… but I thought she was just a motherless orphan? How is she Leonard’s wife… the Rivera family heiress?"

The revelation was too much for Sophia to process. Her face twisted into a mask of disbelief, almost hysterical. "How could she be from the Rivera family? She’s just a poor motherless girl—she belongs with my son…"

Joshua West watched Leonard Peters’ face darken, and a sudden wave of panic hit him out of nowhere. He cut into the conversation fast, voice sharp with urgency. “Mom, we need to get out of here.”

Mrs. West was thrown off by Joshua’s sudden move at first, but one glance at the sweat beading on his forehead and she got it right away. Any more of this fight wouldn’t just turn the Hendersons against them—it’d draw Leonard Peters’ wrath full-on. Leonard wasn’t just the hot new rising star in London; he was tied to one of the city’s most powerful families. Pissing him off would be a complete disaster.

Her shoulders sagged with quiet defeat. She nodded at Joshua, and the same sharp unease coiling in his chest twisted in hers too as they headed for the exit.

When they brushed past Nelson Carlson, he dropped a calm, razor-sharp warning right into their path: “If I catch you anywhere near my sister again, you’ll be lucky to scrape by anywhere in this city.”

With Maxwell Henderson’s connections backing him, Leonard could boot Joshua out of London’s elite circles before the sun even rose tomorrow. Joshua kept his eyes glued to the floor, too humiliated to meet Nelson’s glare, as he and his mother walked out of the ballroom.

Back inside, Haven Peters turned around to find her mother, Sophia Porter, standing poised in a silk Victorian-era evening gown that looked straight out of a royal portrait. Haven went rigid. She had no clue how much of that awkward confrontation her mom had overheard. But Sophia didn’t look ruffled at all—her eyes were still locked on Leonard, like that whole messy run-in with Joshua and his mother hadn’t even happened. Haven let out a shaky breath she didn’t realize she was holding, relief flooding her.

She hurried over to slip her arm through Sophia’s, her voice soft and warm, that gentle tone only her mom ever got to hear. “Mom, why don’t you sit down for a minute? There’s another wave of guests coming later.”

Sophia listened to her daughter’s gentle offer, but her gaze never strayed from Leonard. A faint, almost unreadable smile tugged at her lips, but when she spoke, her voice was ice cold. “This young man is quite something, isn’t he, Haven? Is he a friend of Nelson’s?”

The nearby guests caught her question, and their eyes went wide. Low, curious whispers rippled through the crowd right away.

“Aren’t Haven and Leonard Peters married? Why’s Mrs. Porter acting like she doesn’t even know her own son-in-law?”

“I heard Leonard’s grandfather is pushing him to court all those rich, powerful heiresses. If Haven’s already his wife, wouldn’t Mrs. Porter know him?”

“Did they elope? Get hitched in secret?”

“No way that’s actually happening.”

The whispers were quiet, but Sophia picked up every word. She kept her eyes on Leonard, and it clicked into place—this was definitely the man her daughter had been seeing for five years. What threw her off was why Haven had kept him hidden this whole time. Her husband had sung Leonard’s praises more times than she could count, after all.

Nelson was waiting for Haven to do the introductions, but Leonard beat him to it. His voice was clear, respectful, as he stepped forward and handed Sophia a wrapped gift. “Happy anniversary, Mom. I picked this out just for you.”

That one word—Mom—caught Sophia completely off guard, cracking her calm composure for half a second.

She pulled herself together fast in front of all the watching guests, nodding at Bo Mitchell, who stepped forward to take Leonard’s gift and hold it for her.

All eyes in the ballroom zeroed in on the box when it was opened, and the entire room drew a collective breath. The emerald jewelry set inside was stunning, its deep, rich green glinting bright under the chandeliers, the delicate handiwork stealing everyone’s attention.

“Wow! That emerald set is absolutely breathtaking!”

“It’s nicer than any piece I own—has to be worth at least a million pounds. Mrs. Porter really hit the jackpot with a son-in-law this thoughtful.”

Nelson admired the lavish gift, taking it as solid proof how much Leonard cared for Haven.

Meanwhile, Haven couldn’t hide her shock. Their arrangement of convenience marriage, this over-the-top extravagant gift for her mom—none of it felt real, it was all so much bigger and more formal than she’d ever imagined it would be.

While everyone else gushed and stared in awe, Sophia kept her calm, cool demeanor. She spoke softly to Leonard, just loud enough for him to hear: “Come with me, please.”

Did her mom already know something?

Leonard exchanged a polite, steady glance with Haven before following Mrs. Porter back to her private lounge.

Once the door clicked shut, and they were alone with no outsiders listening, Sophia’s whole demeanor shifted. It went from calm polite to sharp, frosty sternness in a heartbeat.

“Mr. Peters, pardon me for being blunt. You hold such a respected position in this city, yet you’ve been with my daughter for five years and you’ve never once come to see me, her own mother! Can I even ask if you have any respect for my daughter, or for our family at all?”

Tension thickened the air in the small room. Nelson and Haven’s nerves spiked as their mother called Leonard out.

The truth was, Haven and Leonard were practically strangers. They’d barely spoken two words to each other before all this, and now here was her mother calling his whole commitment into question.

Leonard’s absence all these years was definitely a problem. Any parent would feel snubbed, hurt even.

Haven wanted to just melt into the floor out of sheer embarrassment. She even felt guilty for Leonard, even though this chewing out wasn’t entirely his fault.

Then, out of nowhere, Leonard reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

His warm cedar scent wrapped around her, and it calmed her out of nowhere, soothed the jittery panic coiling in her gut.

Haven’s heart skipped a crazy, unexpected beat, shocked by how steady and sure he was being.

What on earth was he doing?

Leonard Peters stood rock solid, his broad frame wrapping Haven Peters in a protective shield. His deep voice rolled through the quiet dressing room, thick with warmth and steady reassurance. "Mom, this isn't Haven's fault. It was my mistake. I care about her deeply, and I respect her completely."

"That's why I wanted to prove myself in the business before I came to meet you. All of this was my call, so don't blame Haven for any of it."

Haven's heart skipped a beat.

How did Leonard stay this calm? His earnest gaze and honest words made his love for her feel so real. She found herself wondering if Leonard's grandfather would ever be half this attentive to her.

Sophia Porter's gaze drifted down to where Leonard and Haven's hands were laced tightly together. Leonard's sincere face, paired with her husband's glowing recommendation of him and that warm, familiar way he'd called her "Mom" softened her reluctance just a little, even if she wasn't ready to fully accept him yet.

Leonard was the kind of man her husband respected, and his willingness to step up and apologize proved how genuine he was.

Glancing at Haven, who stood stiff beside Leonard, worry etched all over her face, Sophia couldn't help but heave a deep sigh.

Her expression softened, though her tone stayed sharp and serious. "Fine. If you two truly care for each other, I won't stand in your way. But Leonard—my daughter is my whole world. She's my princess. I will not let anyone hurt her. If she gets wronged, I don't care who you are, I will make things right for her, no matter what."

Leonard answered politely, his voice warm and steady: "Mom, please, call me Leonard. I'm Haven's husband. I get it if you don't trust me yet, but I don't just say I love you—I show it."

His words struck a chord with Sophia.

As a mother, all she ever wanted was for her daughter to be happy.

Leonard's looks, his charm, his skill, his manners—everything about him was perfect. And side by side, he and Haven looked like they were made for each other.

The lingering irritation Sophia had felt finally melted away, and her face softened noticeably.

Haven could feel the heat of Leonard's hand tangled with hers—unfamiliar, but weirdly comforting. She tried to subtly pull her hand back, but his grip only tightened. Even with her thoughts spinning a million miles a minute, her smile came out genuine and sweet.

Seriously? He was holding on way tighter than he needed to, for a fake couple. Any other girl would be blushing, heart racing right now. But Haven? She'd already had her heart broken once. She wasn't that easy to fluster.

Nelson Carlson caught the subtle shift in his mom's mood. He knew even if she wouldn't say it out loud, she was starting to like Leonard.

He'd pushed Leonard towards Haven because he trusted the guy's character… and also…

Nelson glanced at his watch, a thoughtful look crossing his face, then smiled. "Mom, it's time. Let's head down to the ballroom."

Sophia nodded.

The group walked into the ballroom, where crystal chandeliers poured brilliant golden light over the entire room. Every corner was stuffed with fragrant blooms and elegant, tasteful decorations.

Socialites and big-name industry figures filed in one after another, each bearing gifts, and the whole room hummed with lively, bustling energy.

Haven wore a soft lavender evening gown that clung elegantly to her lithe, graceful figure. Intricate embroidery and glinting crystals shimmered across the fabric like stars scattered across a night sky. Her long hair was swept up into a polished updo, a few loose strands curling softly against her fair neck, adding an extra touch of soft sweetness.

Leonard cut just as striking a figure in a tailored black suit and deep charcoal tie, dashing and effortlessly sophisticated. His tall, commanding presence at Haven's side grabbed everyone's attention the second they walked in, and soft whispers of admiration rippled through the crowd.

"Look, that's the Rivera heiress and the Peters heir, aren't they? Total couple goals, right?" a woman in a silk gown murmured under her breath.

The man standing next to her nodded in full agreement. "You got that right. Ms. Rivera is gorgeous and talented, Mr. Peters is handsome and killing it in business. This match is pure power couple goals."

Haven and Leonard both smiled gracefully, nodding at the guests, oozing old-money elegance.

They stepped up to Sophia, and Haven held out the carefully wrapped gift with a warm smile. "Mom, happy birthday! I hope you stay healthy and happy for years to come."

Every eye locked on the box in Haven's hand. A man in a black suit squinted at it, and his eyes went wide with disbelief.

"If I'm not wrong, that watch Haven's holding is the exclusive meteorite dial piece from world-famous designer Claire—one of only five ever made."

Most of the guests were familiar with high-end collectible watches, and they caught the implication immediately.

"Rumor was Claire kept this one for his own personal collection, he never puts it up for sale. I've always wondered who ended up with it… turns out it's Ms. Rivera."

Sophia was a lifelong watch collector, and it was obvious how thrilled she was with the gift.

Leonard stood beside Haven, his dark eyes full of quiet appreciation.

Sophia gently squeezed Haven's hand and smiled. "Thank you, Haven. I absolutely love it. Leonard, you're staying with us a while this time, right?"

Haven caught it immediately—her mom was already acknowledging Leonard as her son-in-law.

Leonard paused for half a second, then answered politely: "Aunt Sophia, don't you worry. This time, Haven and I are staying a few extra days before we head back to New York. Haven came home mainly just to spend time with you."

Sophia's face broke into a wide, genuine grin. "That's wonderful! In a couple days your father and brothers will be back. It's going to be a proper family reunion."

The atmosphere grew warmer and more comfortable by the minute.

With every eye on them, Leonard led Haven out to the dance floor just as the first notes of the waltz started playing. They moved across the floor gracefully, their steps falling into perfect sync.

Haven tipped her head up slightly, her gaze meeting Leonard's, and whispered, "We're signing the marriage license tomorrow. Am I really going back to New York with you after that?"

Her steps flowed smooth and easy, and Leonard matched her rhythm perfectly, like they'd danced together a hundred times. They moved as one across the floor, and one by one the guests stopped their conversations to watch. By the end, soft applause broke out around the room.

Leonard's dark eyes locked onto hers, and with a quick spin he pulled her tighter, their chests pressing flush together.

He leaned down, his breath warm and tickling against the shell of her ear as he whispered, "That's right. And you're going to meet my grandfather."

Haven's heart tripped over itself. She could feel his heat seeping through the thin fabric of her gown, spreading warm all the way down to her toes. Her cheeks flushed pink, and a tingling tingle ran all the way down her shoulder.

When the dance ended, the evening hit its peak. Haven and Leonard circulated through the guests, exchanging polite small talk.

Haven, with her natural poise and sharp, thoughtful takes, had everyone she talked to hanging on her every word.

Leonard swapped business insights and war stories with industry leaders, and won over every single one of them.

As the night wound down, Haven, Leonard, Sophia, and Nelson headed back to the Rivera family home.

Later, after Haven spent a while catching up with Sophia, she noticed how tired her mom looked and gently urged her to turn in. "Mom, you should get some rest. I won't keep you up any longer."

Outside Sophia's room, Bo Mitchell stepped forward. "Ms. Rivera, Mr. Peters' room is all ready. He's already settled in there for the night."

Haven stopped short, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face as she froze mid-step.