Chapter 24

The private jet touched down with a whisper of tires on tarmac, the city skyline glinting like a crown in the late afternoon sun. Derek stepped out first, his tailored suit sharp against the wind, Elena close behind in a sleek blazer and heels that clicked with purpose. Cameras flashed, reporters shouted questions—“How’s married life?” “What’s next for the power couple?”—and they met the chaos with practiced smiles. The honeymoon was over, but the glow of it lingered in their easy confidence, a shield against the world they’d left behind. By morning, they were back in their element. Derek stood at the head of a glass-walled boardroom, his voice cutting through the hum of executives as he outlined a merger that would dominate headlines. Elena followed, unveiling a daring acquisition—a tech startup poised to triple their empire’s reach. The room buzzed with approval, their synergy undeniable. The press ate it up: “Billionaire Newlyweds Redefine Power Couple Goals,” one headline crowed, a photo of them mid-laugh at a gala pinned beneath it. They were untouchable, a force forged in love and ambition.