The applause for Aria Thorne faded, but the energy in the grand hall remained high. Aria stood at the end of the runway, a statue of corporate power in the Nighthawk Gown.
She saw Soverkis Volkov, the woman in the white dress, whose eyes were burning with cold hatred. Aria held the gaze, offering a small, controlled smile of victory before turning to descend the steps.
The music shifted from Jax's sharp piece to a smooth, quiet jazz track. The reception had begun.
The guests immediately moved toward the illuminated pedestals where the Valkyrie Collection was displayed, ready to buy.
Aria's team was in motion. Tony William and his staff managed the logistics. Liam, the CFO, and Nina Chen, the Legal Advisor, took up positions near the financial terminals, ready to close the high-value, anonymous sales.
Aria moved through the crowd, heading toward the back wall where the Aetherband had performed, her true target: Jax.
Soverkis Volkov released Paul Davies and walked straight toward Elias Vance, who was anchored near the entrance.
Soverkis's white gown flashed under the soft lights.
"Elias Vance," Soverkis said, her voice smooth and falsely warm. "A spectacular show. Aria is talented. Though I hear the money behind it is complex."
Elias turned, his expression severe. "Ms Volkov. Your attendance is noted. If you have questions about Vance Global's financial stability, you should consult a reliable public report."
"Oh, I do not doubt your stability, Elias," Soverkis purred, letting her eyes sweep the room dismissively. "But this new firm, Vanguard Designs? It's all high-risk, low-liquidity. My friend here, Paul Davies, was curious. Is it true the company relies entirely on high-interest loans from Vance Global just to pay for these very expensive materials?"
Paul Davies was sweating, terrified by the debt he owed Soverkis, but he remained silent. Soverkis had planted the doubt directly among the high-profile investors.
Aria's Thought watching from across the room. She is attacking the credibility of the brand. She is trying to make me look like a figurehead, not the designer.
Elias remained perfectly calm. "Vanguard Designs is funded by its own success, Ms Volkov. The financial structure is sound, and the contracts are sealed. The sales figures tonight will confirm that independence. Now, please excuse me."
Elias walked away quickly and found Marcus Hale, the spy. "Soverkis is attacking the financial foundation. She will now target Jax Ryland to create a public scene. Prevent any public, non-business interaction between Ryland and Volkov. Understood?"
Marcus gave a swift, silent nod and moved instantly.
Across the room, Jax Ryland was talking quietly with his bandmates, but his eyes were locked on Aria.
Silas Trent, Jax's sharp, nervous manager, stood nearby, pretending to check his phone but truly watching Jax like a hawk.
"Jax, remember what we discussed," Silas whispered urgently. "Smile at the buyers. Talk business. Zero, zero, zero personal contact with Ms Thorne tonight. The girls' fan forums are already going wild about the music snippet. We cannot afford a single photo."
"I know the risk, Silas. I am professional," Jax replied, his voice low.
"Professional means no lingering gazes, no deep conversations, and certainly no " Silas stopped as he saw Soverkis Volkov approaching.
Aria reached Jax and his group just as Soverkis moved in for the kill.
Soverkis bypassed the band and spoke directly to Jax, her voice loud and sweet, drawing the attention of the surrounding guests.
"Jax, darling! What a surprise!" Soverkis exclaimed. "I heard you were performing a small set for the Vanguard launch. You risk your entire corporate partnership standing next to Vance Global's shell project." The quiet jazz track seemed to die entirely. A ripple of whispers, sharp and quick, sliced through the air as several important guests paused mid-sip, turning toward the commotion. Soverkis had captured the room's attention, exactly as she intended.
Jax put his glass down, his face a mask of cold politeness. He did not touch Aria. He simply stood beside her, shoulders squared.
"Soverkis. This is a business event. The performance was a contractual agreement with Ms Thorne, whose brand is undeniably successful," Jax said clearly, his voice steady.
Soverkis sneered, ignoring Aria entirely. "But a private agreement with her? Everyone is whispering about the shaky financial support. People are saying this whole launch is just a show to cover Elias's debt. You risk your reputation standing next to a company that can't stand on its own, Jax." Aria could see the doubt forming on the faces of the nearest buyers the most dangerous weapon of all. A woman in a bespoke suit quickly raised her phone, pretending to check a message, but her gaze was glued to the exchange.
Aria felt the anger rise Soverkis was using the most powerful weapon: doubt about her independence and corporate strength.
Before Aria could respond, Elias Vance was suddenly there, moving with quiet, cold authority.
"Ms Volkov," Elias said, his voice low and severe. "You are here as a guest of Mr Davies, who is here on a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Your comments regarding the private financial status of Vanguard Designs are both false and a direct violation of that agreement."
Soverkis laughed sharply. "A violation? Of a fashion house's secrecy agreement?"
"Of an agreement that protects our competitive advantage and financial integrity, Ms Volkov," Elias corrected. "And every word you speak is being recorded. If you continue to spread slander against Ms Thorne or her company, the Volkov Group will face an immediate, full investigation by the New York financial regulators."
A collective, almost silent intake of breath swept through the surrounding investors. The mention of financial regulators and an NDA violation was the corporate equivalent of an air raid siren. Their expressions changed from curious doubt to knowing dismissal. Soverkis was not presenting fact; she was spreading actionable, high-risk rumor.
Elias stepped closer, forcing Soverkis to take a small step back.
Suddenly, a quiet, strong figure was beside Soverkis. Marcus Hale, the spy, appeared instantly. He did not touch her, but his presence was a clear threat. The surrounding guests shifted nervously, recognizing the seriousness of the implicit threat.
"Marcus will escort you to the door, Ms Volkov," Elias ordered. "If you return, or cause any more disruption, the legal action begins immediately."
Soverkis shot a final, toxic look at Aria and Jax. "You rely on your brother's protection, Aria. That is not a strength. That is dependence." She turned and allowed Marcus to lead her away, defeated. The guests closest to her quickly turned their backs, suddenly fascinated by the canapés and the collection, demonstrating their complete lack of solidarity with her now discredited claims.
The silence they left behind felt heavy. Aria, Jax, and Elias were left standing in a tight circle.
Elias looked at Jax, his eyes cold and critical. "You are an unnecessary risk, Ryland. I removed a corporate threat. Now, you must prove that you are not one that will damage her credibility."
Jax remained utterly steady. He met Elias's harsh gaze without flinching.
"I am not a threat, Elias. I am her foundation," Jax stated, his voice quiet but intense. "I am here to protect the stability she built. I risked my reputation to prove her business is sound. You can watch me. You will only see professional devotion."
Jax then turned to Aria, ignoring Elias's sudden silence. He raised his hand and offered it, palm up, in a simple, formal business gesture.
"Ms Thorne. I believe we have proven that the foundation is stable. Now, we must fulfil the contract," Jax said, his eyes speaking volumes without moving his lips.
Aria understood. This was the most public, yet most discreet, commitment he could make. It was a clear, professional challenge to Soverkis's attack.
She placed her black-gloved hand into his, their fingers interlocking briefly in a simple, strong business handshake.
"The contract is fulfilled, Mr Ryland," Aria replied, her voice firm.
Jax held her hand for a moment longer than necessary. Then, they released the handshake.
Silas Trent let out a silent, shaky breath of relief from nearby. The moment was over, and no career was ruined.
Elias stepped forward, breaking the tension. He placed a hand lightly on Aria's arm—a subtle, protective gesture—and spoke in a business tone.
"Aria. We have guests. It is time to reinforce the integrity of this business," Elias said. "Ryland. Your time is done. You are welcome to stay, but you should move away from the main floor."
Jax nodded, accepting the dismissal. He looked at Aria once more, a silent promise in his eyes, and then moved toward his bandmates and Silas Trent.
Elias guided Aria across the hall, moving past the velvet ropes to an area where a small, powerful group of executives was gathered.
"Aria, I want you to meet my partners," Elias announced.
He introduced her to a formidable man, the CEO of an Asian investment group, and a powerful woman who ran a global shipping network.
"This is Ms Thorne, the designer and CEO of Vanguard Designs. She is not merely a figurehead; she is the mind behind the entire strategic operation," Elias stated, his praise heavy and intentional. He wasn't just introducing a designer; he was endorsing a fellow CEO.
Aria engaged them instantly. She spoke not of silk and structure, but of supply chain security, non-disclosure protocols, and asset protection. She answered questions about the high costs not with excuses, but with reasons: the guaranteed traceability of the materials and the financial anonymity of the transactions.
"Our design philosophy, Mr Lee, is simple," Aria explained to the investment CEO. "The true luxury is the complete and total absence of risk. That is what our materials and contracts provide. We sell peace of mind."
The investment CEO nodded, impressed. "A powerful concept, Ms Thorne. It's a designer brand built like a fortress."
After the introductions, Aria moved away from Elias and plunged into the main crowd of buyers. These were the big shots—the people who had the actual money to invest in the Valkyrie Collection.
She saw Liam, the CFO, speaking quietly with a European royal family member who was pointing to a tailored coat.
Aria moved to join them. "The Obsidian Cloak, your Highness? An excellent choice. The unique element of that piece is the inner construction. It ensures the coat never loses its structural shape, regardless of travel or wear. It's built to always look commanding."
The royal, an elderly woman of immense and quiet status, did not look at the coat; she looked only at Aria. Her expression was one of profound, silent appreciation a level of respect that bordered on awe. "The structure is not in the coat, Ms Thorne. It is in you," the royal stated, impressed. "A beautiful foundation."
Aria offered a slight, formal nod. "Thank you, Your Highness. We built Vanguard Designs specifically to ensure that the exterior strength always matches the interior integrity—in the garment, and in the balance sheet."
She didn't try to sell glamour; she sold permanence and control.
She spoke with a stylish woman, the lead editor of a major European fashion house. The editor asked about the unusual lack of advertising.
"Our advertising is this room, Madame Editor," Aria replied calmly, gesturing around the exclusive hall. "We sell to the elite. The clothes are meant to be seen only when worn by people of power. The discretion is the brand. If everyone sees it, it is no longer exclusive."
Aria then spotted Nina Chen, her Legal Advisor, closing a contract with the shipping executive Elias had introduced.
Nina looked up, offering Aria a discreet smile. "Ms Thorne. We have successfully secured the first major wholesale order. They are buying the entire line for their family's private use. The non-disclosure terms are signed and locked."
Aria felt a quiet wave of triumph. The sales were confirmation that Soverkis's smear had failed. The crowd believed in the Vanguard Designs structure.
She walked back toward the runway area, seeing Jax and his band being politely escorted out by Silas Trent. Jax caught her eye across the crowded room. He gave her a subtle, almost invisible nod a silent acknowledgement that she had not only survived the night but had won.
Aria nodded back. The victory was secured, the corporate foundation unbreakable. But power had a price, and as the scent of victory mixed with the quiet, lingering tension of the night, Aria knew the hardest battles those of love and war had only just begun. The launch was over, but the silent cost of the foundation was yet to be paid.