Chapter 9: The Woman Beside the Billionaire

The ballroom fell into thunderous applause.

"Mr. Zachary York!" the host announced once again.

"Thank you for your generous donation of five million dollars."

Serenity stood frozen.

The bouquet in her hands suddenly felt much heavier.

She slowly turned toward her husband.

"Zachary... York?" she whispered.

Before she could ask another question, Zachary gently took the bouquet from her hands.

"I'll explain later," he said quietly.

"Please trust me."

With that, he walked calmly toward the stage.

The audience erupted into applause as he accepted the award.

"President York is as generous as ever," one guest remarked.

"He's the youngest billionaire in Wiltspoon," another added.

"I heard he's still unmarried."

"Impossible. Didn't you see the woman beside him?"

"Maybe she's just a guest."

Standing near the stage, Serenity could hear every whisper.

Her mind was in complete chaos.

"President York...?"

"Billionaire...?"

"The owner of York Corporation...?"

"That's impossible..."

She remembered the small apartment.

The modest black MPV.

The simple clothes he wore at home.

Nothing made sense anymore.

On stage, Zachary delivered a short speech.

"Charity isn't about recognition," he said calmly.

"It's about giving hope to those who need it most."

"Every person deserves an opportunity to build a better future."

His words received another round of applause.

Serenity watched him quietly.

For the first time, she noticed the confidence with which he carried himself.

He didn't look like an ordinary office worker.

He looked exactly like the leader everyone respected.

After the ceremony ended, Zachary returned to her side.

"Shall we go home?" he asked gently.

Serenity forced a small smile.

"Yes."

Before they could leave, a glamorous young woman wearing a sparkling silver gown approached them.

"Mr. York," she greeted with a charming smile.

"Congratulations on another successful charity event."

"Thank you, Miss Dawson," Zachary replied politely.

The woman finally noticed Serenity.

"And who is this?"

"A friend?"

Without hesitation, Zachary answered,

"My wife."

The smile on Miss Dawson's face disappeared instantly.

"Your... wife?"

"Since when?"

"Recently."

"Why wasn't the public informed?"

"My personal life isn't a public matter."

Miss Dawson forced another smile, but disappointment was obvious in her eyes.

"I see... Congratulations."

She walked away, clearly upset.

Serenity looked at Zachary.

"Was she someone important?"

"Just a business acquaintance," he replied.

As they walked toward the exit, countless eyes followed them.

Many guests whispered among themselves.

"Who is that woman?"

"President York has a wife?"

"How did nobody know?"

"She doesn't look like she's from a wealthy family."

Ben quietly intercepted every reporter trying to approach them.

"No interviews tonight," he said firmly.

Outside the hotel, Zachary opened the passenger door for Serenity.

Neither of them spoke during the drive home.

The silence felt much heavier than before.

Once they entered the apartment, Serenity finally turned to him.

"Would you like some tea?" she asked softly.

Zachary looked surprised.

"You're... not going to ask me anything?"

"I want to."

"Very much."

"But you said you'd explain later."

"I'll wait until you're ready."

Her calm response caught him completely off guard.

Most people would have demanded answers immediately.

Instead...

She chose patience.

After preparing two cups of tea, Serenity sat across from him.

"There's only one thing I want to know tonight," she said.

"Are you still the same Zachary I married?"

He looked directly into her eyes.

"Yes."

"Everything I felt toward you was real."

"I never pretended to care."

Serenity studied his face for several seconds.

Then she smiled gently.

"That's enough for tonight."

"We'll talk about the rest when you're ready."

For the first time in years...

Zachary found himself speechless.

He had prepared for anger.

For accusations.

Even for tears.

Instead, Serenity had given him something he didn't expect.

Trust.

As he watched her quietly sipping her tea across the table, one thought echoed in his mind.

"Maybe... hiding the truth from her was becoming the biggest mistake of my life."