Bianca's POV
As I walked toward the stage, the high-profile guests fixed their gaze at me with smiles, making my heart race.
Among them were Dad and his closest friends, seated in the VIP section at the top of the hall.
I swallowed hard, reassuring myself that this was the best decision; especially since I had no other choice.
My heels clicked against the polished tiles, the sound echoing as the crowd broke into applause.
A small pang tugged at my heart, and a faint smile curled on my lips.
"Here comes the boss's fiancée," the anchor said as I walked gracefully to the podium, surrounded by guards.
Standing there, my eyes instinctively searched for Enzo and his mistress, whom I had spotted earlier. But with the large crowd standing, I couldn't see him or his expression.
"I want to thank each of you for coming tonight. I promise this will be the best party ever," I said, though the growing noise around me was overwhelming.
Even as I spoke, I kept glancing at the crowd; not for any real reason, just to confirm he was still in the hall. But he was nowhere to be seen.
The introduction continued, and when it was time for me to step back, I slowly walked down the stage and headed toward the seat reserved for me, next to where Dad sat.
Mom hadn't arrived yet, which was a little disturbing. She had an urgent call earlier and had promised to show up thirty minutes later.
I slowly glared at my wristwatch, it was already an hour past the time, and she still hadn't shown up.
My gaze drifted to Dad. He seemed undisturbed and comfortable with his friends.
I blinked and looked away.
"That was a wonderful introduction," the anchor announced. "Now, it's time to call on the boss himself," he added as the loud ovation erupted yet again, but this time, more fierce than ever.
My heart skipped instantly.
A surge of adrenaline rushed through my spine.
I slowly held my arms together as I tried to maintain my smile while secretly praying he would be a nice-looking guy.
What if I don't like him at first sight?
Dad's gaze suddenly drifted toward me, and a soft chuckle displayed on his cheeks.
I suddenly formed a smile and shifted my gaze away abruptly.
He finally got what he wanted, right?
That moment alone stirred up a bitter pang from my past life in my heart, slowly capturing the smile on my face.
I pushed the feeling aside and touched my cheeks to keep them from flushing.
A loud roar pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned toward the entrance, where a group of bodyguards marched forward. I couldn't see the boss yet, but then, a man in a sleek gray suit stepped into view.
I squinted, trying to get a better look at his face, but my phone suddenly vibrated in my hand.
I would have ignored the vibration of the phone if it wasn't in my hand.
My gaze flashed to the screen, and I hissed, Mum!
A nervous chill crept down my spine.
Slowly standing upright, I quickly moved over to the narrow exit by the side of the table we sat at.
My thoughts pulled away from the exciting moment that was just about to unfold.
"Hello, Mom," I greeted over the phone.
The call buzzed from the caller's end and then hung up.
Perplexed, I retrieved the phone from my ear and was about to dial the number almost immediately when his voice loomed from behind.
I held back my anger, biting my lips gently instead, before turning to meet his gaze. This time, he was alone.
For some reason, I felt happy that he finally knew who I truly was, and for another reason, I felt a little discomfort about Mom's safety, despite the fact that she had gone out with her bodyguards.
"What's it?" I asked urgently, my brows raised.
His face saddened, his eyes rolling over my body, causing me to grow even angrier as I glared intensely at him.
He lifted his gaze, his mouth slowly opening, but the words wouldn't come out.
"Please, if you don't mind, I have something important to do now," I replied, turning to dial back the number when his hand brushed over mine, causing me to turn almost immediately, and I yanked his hand off abruptly.
"How dare you lay those filthy hands of yours on me?" I retorted, my jaw clenched.
Surprisingly, he crouched low on his feet, his hands clasped together.
"Bianca, please, hear me out. I never meant to ask for a divorce. Please... I want you back," he pleaded.
A sudden laugh escaped my lips. As he lowered his head, I could see regret, shame, and desperation in his expression.
"I'm sorry, Enzo. It's too late," I replied, my voice cold.
"I know you followed her over here," a voice called from behind, and without a look, I already knew who it was.
I clenched my fist. My anger intensified.
"You aren't ashamed, are you? You brought me here just to disgrace me in such a manner simply because she is Alex's fiancée?" she scoffed, her gaze narrowing toward me.
A smirk formed at the corner of my lips. The shock and pain in her gaze captured my heart.
Oh! So she knows?
I slowly adjusted my gown and squared my shoulders, despite the thoughts of Mom lingering in my mind.
"That's what you get when you choose to steal another woman's husband," I snapped absentmindedly, clicking my tongue for even replying to her.
People like her never earned a word from me. But then, I figured I needed to put the bitch in her place—where she rightfully belonged.
She flared up, moving closer. "Don't think you're untouchable now," she blurted, her heartbeat racing.
"Ella, please stop," Enzo snapped from his crouched position.
I ignored their words and lifted my hand, and soon some security personnel hurried over to the spot.
"Bundle her away. I don't want to see her kind here again."
"Alright, ma'am," they responded as they turned toward Ella, dragging her along.
"I will get back to you!" she barked as her words fell on deaf ears.
"Bianca, please…" Enzo trailed off.
"What the hell is going on here?" a deep voice interrupted from behind almost immediately.
I turned toward the voice and froze.
A man in a sleek gray suit stood before me, alongside two familiar bodyguards I had seen earlier.
My eyes locked onto the man in the middle.
I recognized that suit, that build, from when the boss entered.
Could he be the said Alex Wood?
My heart quickened.
My stomach twisted into knots.
"You!" I gasped, pointing a slender finger at him…