Chapter 4 - The Ring and the Headline
By 8:00 AM the following morning, Manhattan went into a collective frenzy.
Ava woke up in a king-sized bed wrapped in 1,000-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. The morning sun poured through the massive windows of her private suite. For a moment, she forgot where she was, thinking she was still in her tiny, damp basement apartment in Brooklyn.
Then, a knock came at her door.
Marcus entered, carrying a silver tray with a pot of fresh coffee, warm croissants, and a tablet displaying the morning news.
"Good morning, Ms. Knox," Marcus said politely. "Mr. Vance requested I show you the morning headlines before your styling team arrives."
Ava took the tablet and nearly choked on her coffee.
The front page of The New York Post featured a massive, high-definition photo of Alexander wrapping his jacket around her at the gala last night. The headline read in bold, black letters:
THE KING OF WALL STREET TAKEN! ALEXANDER VANCE ANNOUNCES ENGAGEMENT TO MYSTERY BEAUTY AVA KNOX!
Beneath it was an article detailing how Alexander had reportedly been secretly dating Ava for months, describing her as a "brilliant, grounded beauty who captured the heart of New York’s most eligible bachelor."
Ava read through the comments section on social media. Millions of views. Thousands of comments. People were searching her name, trying to figure out who she was.
Suddenly, her phone began blowing up with notifications. Messages from high school acquaintances, old co-workers, and distant relatives she hadn't spoken to in years.
And then, a notification popped up from an unblocked number: Victoria Langford.
Ava, I don't know what kind of game you're playing with Alexander Vance, but Damian and I know the truth. You're a fraud. We are coming to the Vance Global charity brunch at noon. Let's see how long your little fairy tale lasts.
Ava set the tablet down, her heart racing.
A few minutes later, Alexander walked into the room, looking impeccably sharp in a charcoal three-piece suit. He carried a small, velvet black box in his hand.
"Did you read the news?" he asked, sitting on the edge of her bed.
"It's everywhere," Ava said nervously. "Victoria texted me. She and Damian are going to be at the charity brunch today. They’re planning to expose me as a fake."
Alexander laughed softly, a low, confident sound. "Let them try. They are playing checkers, Ava. We are playing chess."
He held out the black velvet box and popped it open.
Ava gasped.
Inside sat a flawless, cushion-cut pink diamond ring surrounded by a halo of micro-pave diamonds. It was so massive and brilliant that it practically radiated light.
"Is that... real?" Ava whispered, staring at it in disbelief.
"A 12-carat rare Pink Star diamond," Alexander said casually. "Worth approximately eight million dollars. If we are going to sell a lie to New York high society, we need to make it undeniable."
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He took her hand, sliding the heavy ring onto her left ring finger. It fit perfectly. The cold metal against her skin sent a shiver through her body.
"Now," Alexander said, holding her gaze with intense focus. "A team of stylists is waiting outside. In four hours, you are going to walk into that charity brunch and make Damian Cross regret every single choice he has ever made."
