Chapter 2 You Got Married

"In the end, you would always have to rely on the Dumas family!" Line thundered, her voice slicing through the room like a sharp arrow. "If you chose not to settle things with your sister today, there would come a time when you and your husband would be on your knees in front of her, begging her to save you! Don't ever forget that the Dumas Family took you in and raised you. You owe them loyalty, the same way a servant is expected to obey the people in charge!"

At that moment, the shadow of a man stretched across the floor, tall and imposing as he stood in the doorway. Samuel Dumas had arrived. He frowned, his deep voice reverberating through the room. "We are expecting an important guest, and you still find a way to bicker like children?"

Maïa put on an innocent expression and looked away. Meanwhile, Line jumped right into her favorite role: the victim. "It's all because of that ungrateful girl! She despises her own mother, just because she got married today..."

Samuel Dumas fixed his piercing gaze on Alina. "You got married? Why didn't you wait for someone truly worthy to be introduced? Will you show me this marriage certificate?"

A brief silence settled over the room. Alina stood frozen, hesitating to take out the precious document. But, whether from remorse or a spark of defiance, she finally pulled it slowly from her bag. Before she could even offer it, Line snatched it eagerly from her hands. "Let me see what sort of failure you ended up marrying!" she said. Maïa, grinning, added playfully, "And tell us, Dad... Who is this impressive guest that's got you so excited?"

At that, Samuel Dumas seemed to come alive again. He straightened his back, his eyes shining with pride. "It's Nohan Leroux."

Alina stood in shock. Nohan Leroux? The name echoed in her mind like thunder breaking a silent night. Maïa, still curious, narrowed her eyes. "Who is Nohan Leroux? Is he really someone important?"

Even Alina, who knew the affluent circles of Solaria well, had never heard of him. Samuel Dumas answered in a mysterious tone, "He isn't known to the general public. I've never met him myself. He's Ayden Leroux's young uncle. Barely twenty-eight, but he truly runs the entire Leroux dynasty."

Line's eyes widened. "In that case... he would be a far better match for Maïa than Ayden! Power always outweighed pedigree."

Samuel Dumas cut her off sharply. "Don't speak nonsense. Mr. Leroux is already married!"

A chill went down Alina's spine. Married? If it really was his name on the certificate... then Nohan would soon learn what had happened. Line, clearly disappointed, muttered, "So who is this woman? What luck she must have..."

Samuel Dumas only shrugged. "No one has a clue. People say he and his wife avoid all social events." He looked troubled. "I still don't get what made him come here today, of all days, to this engagement party..."

The Leroux family, giants in Solaria, had embodied absolute power. Compared to them, the Dumas were merely bourgeois with a touch of influence. For someone like Nohan Leroux to actually show up in person... Felt almost unreal.

"Maybe Maïa was simply irresistible! Oh!" Line exclaimed, her face glowing with delight. "Maïa, that necklace looked ridiculous in front of such important guests. Hurry, let's dress you up with jewelry that's truly worthy!" She absentmindedly handed the certificate back to Alina, then pulled Maïa by the arm toward the jewelry room, leaving the others behind without a second thought.

Standing off to the side, Alina watched it all unfold with a bitter smile. "Sir, the Leroux family will arrive soon," the butler announced respectfully.

Samuel Dumas descended the stairs at a measured pace, casting a cold glance at Alina. "You haven't come back in ages. Have a drink and then leave."

Alina nodded. She had only one wish. To stay and finally lay eyes on the man called Nohan Leroux.

Upstairs, Line was frantically selecting the most luxurious necklaces for Maïa, layering her with pearls and diamonds. As she admired the young woman's beauty, pride filled her eyes. For over twenty years, Line had secretly despised Jodie Vega-Mrs. Dumas. Back then, she had orchestrated a scandal, given birth on the same day, and even switched the babies at the hospital... so her own daughter could grow up in luxury while Jodie's child lived as an outcast.

That day, her revenge felt complete. Maïa was about to have a lavish wedding, sparkling with diamonds, while Alina-whom she saw as nothing but a mistake of fate-remained a penniless commoner, forced to marry a man of no consequence. Line savored this turn of fate with a wicked sense of satisfaction.

Downstairs, Alina leaned against the wall, quietly watching the grand entrance. The arrival of the Leroux family was imminent.

Then, slowly, another figure began to descend the stairs: Mrs. Dumas. Leaning on a maid for support and dressed in violet, she looked frail and thin, yet radiated a rare sense of dignity.

"Madam, you are too weak. It would be better if you didn't go down," the maid whispered.

Mrs. Dumas shook her head gently, her voice broken by a cough. "No... I cannot... It's Maïa's big day..."

They didn't notice Alina, who lingered quietly in the shadows. She watched them walk away, her heart weighed down with emotion. It was ironic-in this family that had always pushed her aside, the only person to show her any tenderness was the one who should have had every reason to resent her. Mrs. Dumas, fragile yet proud, had embodied true nobility in Alina's eyes.

Line, on the other hand, had never truly been a mother. She had often neglected to feed Alina, leaving her to cry alone in the dark.

But that night, Alina did not cry. Instead, she stood ready to discover whether Nohan Leroux-the mysterious name on her certificate-was truly the man everyone feared, or the one they hoped for.