"My Ex's Family Humiliated Me at My Cousin's Wedding—Then America’s Richest Billionaire Walked Up and Called Me His Wife"

I wore a floor-length emerald silk dress with a plunging back and high slit, designed by a top Italian house that Ryan’s personal stylist had brought to the estate that afternoon. A thirty-carat diamond necklace encircled my throat, sparkling brilliantly under the warm lighting.

I walked into the private room on Ryan’s arm, my head held high, radiating an undeniable, regal power.

Sitting at the grand dining table was Arthur Vane, the eighty-year-old titan of Vane Media, flanked by his nephew Julian and Julian’s spoiled daughter, Chloe—the woman Daniel had left me for.

And standing near the wine cabinet, holding a bottle of vintage red with a white napkin draped over his arm, was Daniel.

When we walked in, Chloe raised her glass with a haughty smile, but the moment her eyes landed on me, her glass froze halfway to her lips. Beside her, Julian Vane stood up instantly to shake Ryan’s hand.

And Daniel... Daniel nearly dropped the five-thousand-dollar bottle of wine onto the carpet. His eyes were wide with pure terror as he stared at me, looking stunning and powerful in an emerald dress that cost more than his entire annual salary.

"Ryan, my boy!" Arthur Vane boomed, standing up with the help of his cane. "It is wonderful to see you! And this... this must be your lovely new wife!"

"Arthur," Ryan said smoothly, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. "May I present my wife, Ellie Blackwood."

Arthur took my hand, kissing the back of it with old-world chivalry. "A pleasure, my dear! Ryan has talked of nothing else for the past forty-eight hours. He tells me you are a brilliant novelist preparing for a global release through Blackwood Publishing!"

"It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Vane," I said with a warm, confident smile. "Ryan has spoken very highly of your commitment to artistic integrity."

"Hmph!" Chloe snorted softly from across the table, her eyes glittering with jealousy as she appraised my emerald dress and diamond necklace. "Novelist? That's cute. Daniel told me you were pouring coffee at a greasy spoon in South Boston three weeks ago, Ellie."

The table went dead silent. Julian gasped in horror at his daughter’s rudeness, while Arthur frowned deeply.

Daniel looked like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. "Chloe... please, stop..." he whispered frantically.

I didn't flinch. I turned my eyes toward Chloe, offering her a cool, pitying smile.

"I did work at a diner, Chloe," I said, my voice echoing clearly across the room. "I worked double shifts to pay off my student loans and fund my writing without relying on a daddy’s trust fund. I learned the value of hard work, dignity, and real loyalty—things money clearly couldn't buy for you."

Ryan let out a low, satisfied hum beside me, his grip on my waist tightening approvingly.

Arthur Vane broke into a booming laugh, slapping his hand against the table. "Bravo, my girl! Bravo! A woman of true character and self-made pride! That is precisely the kind of leadership Blackwood Holdings needs!"

Arthur turned his sharp eyes toward Daniel, who was trembling near the sideboard.

"You there, boy!" Arthur barked at Daniel. "Pour Mrs. Blackwood a glass of the '82 Margaux! And don't spill a drop, or I’ll have your badge revoked before midnight!"

Daniel swallowed hard, his hands shaking violently as he walked toward me with the wine bottle. He leaned down over my shoulder to pour the dark red liquid into my crystal glass.

"Ellie..." Daniel whispered, his voice trembling so hard only I could hear him. "Please... don't do this to me. Chloe is crazy. I made a huge mistake... I love you..."