Chapter 5
555words
Every eye fixed on the father-daughter moment unfolding on the staircase.
Ethan's face blanched to a ghostly white.
His parents stood slack-jawed in disbelief.
The three of them resembled petrified statues.
"Liv... O-Olivia Blackwood?!"
Margaret Reynolds recovered first.
She suddenly jolted as if electrified, frantically pushing through the surrounding guests:
"Liv! It's our Olivia!
This is our beloved daughter-in-law!"
She shoved toward the staircase, announcing loudly to anyone within earshot, "Everyone, look! This is my son's wife!
She's been married to my Ethan for years—they have a six-year-old daughter!"
She successfully redirected the room's attention to her spectacle.
Murmurs rippled through the assembled guests.
"Isn't she the woman from yesterday's viral video—accused of adultery and child abandonment?"
"Yes, those older people went on social media sobbing about their mistreatment..."
"And isn't that supposed 'lover' actually Chairman Blackwood's head of security?"
"People of their station wouldn't recognize executive security if it wore a name tag..."
"How could Victor Blackwood's daughter have married into such a family?"
The collective gaze of the elite crowd turned toward the Reynolds family with surgical precision.
"My daughter did indeed marry Ethan Reynolds."
Father's authoritative voice cut through the chatter, commanding immediate silence.
His penetrating gaze swept across the assembled guests,
"However, they legally divorced six years ago."
As he spoke, the massive display screen behind us illuminated with a high-resolution image of our divorce certificate.
"In response to recent defamatory statements that have damaged my daughter's reputation, the Blackwood Group's legal team will pursue all available remedies with absolute determination.
Furthermore, effective immediately, all business relationships between the Blackwood Group and Reynolds Enterprises are terminated!"
His declaration fell like an executioner's axe.
"You can't simply terminate everything! On what grounds?!"
Margaret Reynolds became hysterical, practically leaping as she screamed,
"My son is Emma's father! He's your daughter's husband!
Is this how you treat family?!"
"On what grounds?"
Father regarded her with glacial disdain,
"On the grounds that I am Olivia Blackwood's father."
His protective grip tightened around my shoulders as his voice thundered through the ballroom:
"I will never permit anyone to mistreat my daughter.
Those who do will face the consequences of their actions!"
Ethan, who had remained paralyzed with shock, finally seemed jolted to awareness.
He shoved through the surrounding guests and lurched toward the staircase like a cornered animal.
"Liv! Please, just hear me out!"
He attempted to ascend the stairs, his expression a mixture of desperation and terror,
"My parents orchestrated everything! They pressured me!
I've always loved you! The divorce was for your protection!
Think about Emma—she needs her father!"
James Sullivan and several security staff intercepted him with practiced efficiency.
"What are you doing?! Release my son immediately!"
Margaret and Robert Reynolds rushed forward, their shouts adding to the growing commotion.
Father made a single dismissive gesture.
Additional security materialized, efficiently removing all three Reynolds from the premises.
"Olivia Blackwood, you'll regret this humiliation!!!"
Ethan's desperate threats echoed faintly from the corridor.
Father maintained perfect composure, raising his champagne flute:
"A minor family matter—my apologies for the interruption to our celebration.
To compensate for the disturbance, Blackwood Group will extend a three percent discount on all partnerships finalized tonight."
The gala resumed with renewed energy.
Ethan, we truly did occupy different worlds now—just not as you had imagined.
