The echo of the name "Mrs. Jingga Abraham" still resonated throughout the ballroom, breaking the tense silence. The once lively atmosphere now seemed quiet. All eyes were fixed on Alex, who was holding Jingga’s hand.

Loly stood frozen. Her face was pale, still in disbelief. She glanced at Gery beside her. The man was just as shocked, beginning to feel jealous.

Alex gave a faint smile. “I know this announcement may come as a surprise to many,” Alex said, his voice echoing once more, “But happiness is an individual's right, isn’t it?”

He pulled Jingga a little closer, as if consecrating her status before everyone. Jingga returned his smile, a sincere smile emanating from her heart, no longer one of sadness or pretense. A sudden relief washed over her, along with a newfound strength. Amidst gazes of admiration, confusion, and envy, she felt as if she were reborn. This was her stage, and she wouldn't squander it.

Moments later, the crowd began to react. Whispers erupted once more, far louder than before. This time, they weren't gossiping whispers about the “shameless woman” who had hurt Loly, but rather exclamations of admiration for Jingga's beauty and undeniable elegance. Compliments began to circulate, surrounding the new couple standing center stage.

“The new Mrs. Abraham is truly captivating, isn’t she?”

“Who would have thought? Mr. Alex managed to keep it a secret so well!”

“Look at her gown! Absolutely elegant. It perfectly suits the Abraham family's image.”

Gery closed his eyes, letting the wave of praise crash over him like a giant tsunami. His chest ached, squeezed by a mixture of regret and fury. How could this be? Jingga, the woman he had discarded, the one he accused of ruining his life, now stood beside his father, holding a status far higher than Loly's. His wife! His stepmother! A cruel jest of fate, one he himself had orchestrated. He watched Alex look at Jingga, not with his usual coldness, but with a gaze full of care. This made Gery even more restless. His father had never been like this with Lusi, his own mother.

Loly could no longer contain her rage. Her face flushed, yet she desperately tried to suppress it. She had to maintain her elegant composure.

“Darling, don't you want to greet Father and... your stepmother?” Loly whispered, her voice strained, full of venom.

Gery merely shook his head, unable to look at them. “I... I need a drink.”

He left Loly standing alone, dumbfounded amidst the crowd that grew increasingly curious about Jingga. Loly felt like a loser. Her attempt to publicly humiliate Jingga had boomeranged, hitting her squarely.

After receiving congratulations from some of Alex's closest business associates, Jingga gently released her hand from his grasp.

“Thank you, Mr. Alex,” Jingga whispered, her eyes meeting his.

Alex merely gave a slight nod, his gaze still cold, yet beneath it, there was a faint, unreadable glint. He noted Jingga's change in demeanor, the courage that now began to radiate from her. He saw it, and he filed it away.

Suddenly, Loly stepped closer. She forced a sweet smile, though her eyes blazed with burning jealousy.

“Congratulations, Sister Jingga,” Loly said, her tone as artificially sweet as possible. “What an... extraordinary surprise. I barely recognized you. You look so… happy.”

Jingga turned, her eyes locking directly with Loly's. A thick aura of hostility hung between them, even as Loly's lips smiled.

“Thank you, Loly,” Jingga replied, her voice calm, yet with a hint of coldness. “I am happy. I finally got what I deserved. A life far better than you could ever imagine.”

Those simple words were a direct hit. Loly's smile faltered, her eyes narrowed. Some guests nearby heard the subtle taunt, and several exchanged glances, sensing the suddenly heightened tension.

“Oh, really? And what is that?” Loly let out a hollow laugh. “Becoming the wife of a much older man, and the stepmother of… your own ex-fiancé? Is that your definition of a ‘better life,’ Sister Jingga?”

Alex, standing not far from them, overheard the conversation. He showed no reaction on his face, yet his gaze sharpened, scrutinizing every movement of Jingga and Loly. There was something between these two women that went far deeper than mere rivalry.

Jingga gave a faint smile. "Of course. At least, I don’t have to hide from anyone. I am not a sly person. More importantly, I am not a thief who steals someone else’s happiness to gain my own."

Jingga’s words made Loly feel sick. Beneath her gown, she was seen clenching her fists in anger.

The party began to wind down as guests started to depart. Loly couldn't hold back any longer. She saw Jingga walking alone toward the restroom. This was her chance. With quick steps, Loly followed and grabbed Jingga's arm.

“Come with me,” Loly hissed, her voice full of menace.

Jingga didn't resist. She allowed Loly to drag her into a secluded hallway connecting the ballroom to the office area. The light there was dim, creating a perfect, ominous atmosphere for a confrontation.

“Who do you think you are, huh?” Loly snapped, flinging Jingga's hand away once she felt they were far enough from the crowd. “How dare you speak like that in public! Do you think you've won?”

Jingga rubbed her wrist, which had reddened slightly.

“I don't feel like I've won, Loly,” Jingga replied calmly. “I'm just speaking the truth. Does that hurt you?”

“Hurt me?” Loly scoffed. “Don't be a hypocrite, Jingga! You came here for revenge, didn't you? What cheap tricks did you pull to make Mr. Alex marry you? You want to ruin Gery's life and mine!”

“Isn't that what you did to me before?” Jingga glared at her. “You stole Gery, you incited my parents to cast me out, and now you ask why I'm here?”

Loly stepped closer, her index finger pointing at Jingga's face. “Don't you ever dare bring up the past! Remember, you're just an adopted child. We could expose all your shames!”

Jingga gave a bitter smile. “What shame are you talking about, Loly? Have you forgotten who has more shame to hide? Do you want me to remind everyone about that night, Loly? The night you manipulated Gery, when he was devastated after his mother died? And you exploited his situation to steal him from me, then you lied about everything!”

Loly's face suddenly went white. Her eyes widened. It was a dark secret that only the three of them—she, Jingga, and Gery—knew the exact details of.

“Shut up! Don't talk nonsense!” Loly shrieked, her voice rising. “You have no proof whatsoever!”

“Proof? I don't need proof to remember every detail,” Jingga retorted, her voice piercing. “Including how you faked tears in front of Gery to make him feel guilty, and how you told him I no longer loved him.”

“Enough!” Loly lost control. Rage burned in her temples, overpowering her common sense. Without thinking, she shoved Jingga with all her might.

Jingga, unprepared, stumbled backward. Her foot caught on a slightly folded carpet, and she lost her balance. A small gasp nearly escaped her lips as she felt herself falling.

At the same time, the sound of footsteps approached. Alex and Gery, who had just finished speaking with an investor at the end of the hallway, were walking past the area. Both of them saw Jingga about to fall. Instinctively, they moved forward quickly. However, Alex was the one who caught Jingga’s body first. He caught Jingga in his arms, supporting her back with one hand and holding her arm with the other, preventing her from falling.

Jingga gasped. The warmth of Alex's body, the masculine scent of his luxurious cologne, and the solid feel of his muscles as he held her, made her heart pound. For a moment, she felt safe. Alex looked at her, his cold gaze softening slightly, replaced by a very faint frown of concern.

Gery, just a step behind Alex, was stunned. He watched the scene with wide eyes, his heart clenching. His father was holding Jingga. His ex-fiancée. The woman he had abandoned for Loly. A burning jealousy, mixed with regret, suddenly flooded him. His face flushed, and both his hands clenched into fists.

Loly, realizing the gravity of the situation, immediately changed her expression. Instantly, tears welled up in her eyes. She slumped slightly, clutching Jingga's arm, which was still in Alex's embrace.

“Sister Jingga!” Loly cried out, her voice trembling, full of feigned distress. “Why are you still angry with me? I just wanted to congratulate you! I didn't mean to push her!” She looked at Alex with a piteous gaze. “I just wanted to talk things over calmly, Father. But she… she kept threatening me…! She's afraid I'll reveal her secret!”

All eyes widened. Gery, initially consumed by jealousy, now choked, his face turning ashen at Loly's last sentence. A secret? What secret?

Alex released Jingga from his embrace, yet his eyes remained sharp, cold yet full of pressure, darting between Jingga and Loly.

“What secret are you talking about?” Alex asked, his voice low and piercing.