"Thank you, Dr. Malik," Chibuzor said, his tone cool. "I hope you're enjoying yourself."
Dr. Malik inclined his head. "Immensely. Though I must admit, seeing Mrs. Arinze tonight has brought back fond memories."
Chibuzor's expression hardened, but Olaedo stepped in smoothly. "We're honored you could join us tonight, Dr. Malik."
'Fond memories my foot,' thought Chibuzor furiously as they walked away. He couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Fond memories? If he stares at you like that again, he'll need a new invitation."
Olaedo chuckled, squeezing his arm. "Let them look. In every sense, you've already won. Our act is flawless you know."
As the night kept unfolding, similar encounters, veiled insults disguised as compliments, lingering gazes of envy, and the heavy weight of unrealized dreams.
The ballroom was alive with whispers and scheming glances, but Olaedo's composure remained unshaken. Each exchange was a subtle assertion of her place not only as Chibuzor's wife but as a force to be reckoned with.
The couple's circuit through the ballroom grew more crowded. At one point, Chibuzor misjudged his step and accidentally trod on the edge of Olaedo's gown, causing her to stumble lightly into him.
Her professional mask slipped for half a second as she whispered, "Are you trying to ruin my evening or my dress?"
Chibuzor, catching her by the waist to steady her, replied with a wry grin, "Neither. But maybe next time, wear a train shorter than the river Nile."
Through every interaction, whether a forced smile, a curt reply, or a moment of subtle defiance, the contract's terms loomed in their minds.
Each awkward exchange was a reminder of the boundaries they had set, yet the unspoken harmony they displayed to their audience hinted at something deeper.
"Gosh! She's dazzling, isn't she?"
"Yes, but did you see how she leans on Chibuzor? Clearly marking her territory. Definitely not an ordinary woman!"
"She'll do well," one guest murmured as she passed. "Better than anyone expected."
Olaedo caught the murmurs but focused forward, her composure unshaken. Chibuzor, noticing, leaned in. "You're doing better than they deserve."
She raised her glass slightly, her smile calm but triumphant. "Let them watch. This is only the beginning."
The evening wore on, with similar exchanges blending into a seamless dance of diplomacy.
Yet, beneath the polished surface, not all was as harmonious as it seemed. Some eyes watched Olaedo with thinly veiled suspicion, while others masked envy behind polite smiles.
Chibuzor, ever perceptive, noted these looks but said nothing, instead keeping his focus on guiding his wife through the labyrinth of society's expectations.
Unaware of the quiet plotting at the edges of the ballroom, Olaedo continued her rounds, her steps sure and her smile unwavering. Each interaction solidified her position as not just Chibuzor's wife, but as a force to be reckoned with in her own right.
The hum of conversation swelled again, the room alive with ambition and subtle intrigue. Yet in the midst of it all, one thing was clear: the evening belonged to Chibuzor and Olaedo, a duo whose combined presence commanded both admiration and unease. All their weekend training was paying off.
Olaedo, seated with perfect posture at the table reserved for Young Madams, noticed the way some servants smiled at her in passing. Their initial skepticism of her had been replaced with admiration throughout the evening.
As Olaedo gracefully accepted a drink from one of the servers, the girl leaned in slightly, her voice a low whisper, "Young Madam, I just came from my rounds, and most of the guests love you. Keep doing great!"
Olaedo's brows lifted slightly in surprise. She hadn't asked anyone to check, yet this girl seemed eager to share her findings. It was clear she admired Olaedo enough to have purposefully eavesdropped on the conversations of the high society elite.
Her words warmed Olaedo's heart more than the drink in her hand.
While the whispers of approval floated in the air, she couldn't ignore the undercurrent of resentment. Many of the single, younger ladies glared daggers at her, their envy practically radiating across the ballroom.
The thought of losing one of the most eligible bachelors on the continent had clearly left their pride wounded. Their parents, no less ambitious, wore tight smiles, masking their disappointment.
Still, there were those who had gracefully admitted defeat, and even some who openly praised her with sincerity. Their acknowledgment carried weight, and for that, Olaedo was grateful.
She exhaled softly, not realizing she had been holding her breath. A faint smile crept onto her face. Even the staff seem to be warming up to me.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Old Madam approached from the tables reserved for foreign dignitaries. Her presence was magnetic, each step exuding elegance and authority.
Olaedo immediately rose to her feet, mirroring the radiant smile that spread across her grand-mother-in-law's face.
"My dear, you are doing wonderfully," Old Madam said, her voice filled with pride. "Your composure, elegance, kindness, grace, beauty, communication skills, everything is being praised by our guests. Even those who had other aspirations for this position have no choice but to admit that none of their daughters can hold a candle to you."
Olaedo's cheeks warmed slightly at the praise, though she kept her expression poised.
"Your grandfather can't stop smiling either," Old Madam added, her tone conspiratorial. "You've truly outdone yourself tonight. Keep up the spectacular work!"
With that, Old Madam turned and glided back to the dignitaries' table, her every step imbued with a lightness that seemed to echo her high spirits.
Olaedo sat back down, taking a moment to collect herself. The glowing feedback filled her with a sense of accomplishment, and she couldn't help but think, 'Phew, all those hours of research are really paying off.'
Even as a successful businesswoman who had clinched countless deals with people from all walks of life, this evening felt like an entirely new challenge. The sheer magnitude of the spotlight, the relentless scrutiny, the weight of expectations, it all stretched her in ways she hadn't anticipated.
Her nerves, which had been on edge for much of the evening, finally began to subside. For the first time since the ball began, she allowed herself a moment of quiet confidence.
But just as she started to feel assured, an ominous thought crossed her mind, pulling her back into reality.
The night isn't over yet. And neither, it seems, are my troubles.
The grand ballroom buzzed with the hum of aristocrats engaged in polite conversation, the clinking of crystal glasses a subtle background melody.
Olaedo stood poised near the center of the room, unaware of the storm about to erupt.
Suddenly, the massive screen above the stage flickered. A hush fell over the crowd, curiosity sparking as all eyes turned to the display. At first, it seemed like a technical glitch, but then Olaedo's voice was heard along with the words that appeared, stark and damning, projected for all to see:
"Where is Maduabuchi now? I need to know."
Gasps rippled through the room like the first crack of a thunderstorm.
Olaedo froze. Her breath caught in her throat as her mind raced to process what was happening. Maduabuchi? The name felt like a physical blow, dragging her back to memories she had tried to bury.
The whispers started almost immediately.
"Did she just say Maduabuchi?"
"Wasn't he her ex-fiancé? The one who caused that scandal?"
Before the crowd could recover, the voice kept speaking along with another line of words that appeared, bold and unforgiving:
"Do you think he'll come back soon? I still have feelings for him."
The murmurs grew louder, evolving into a low roar of speculation.
"She still has feelings for him?"
"While married to Chibuzor?!"
"This is a betrayal of the highest order!"
Some guests turned to stare at Chibuzor, who stood stoic near the side of the hall. His face was unreadable, but his jaw was tight, and his hands clenched at his sides.
And then the final line scrolled across the screen with the voice accompanying it, sealing the scandal:
"I still want to marry him if he's willing to change."
The ballroom erupted.
"What is going on?"
"Is this woman out of her mind?"
"She said she wanted to marry him! She's still in love with her ex!"
Reporters discreetly scribbled in their notebooks, their pens moving like wildfire. A few aristocrats glanced around nervously, worried the scandal might taint their associations.
Olaedo's chest tightened as the accusations poured in. She could hear snippets of their whispers, each word cutting deeper than the last:
"She's nothing but a gold digger."
"No wonder Chibuzor didn't look happy about this marriage. Did he know?"
"How could someone like her be allowed into a family of this stature?"
Some of the younger ladies, already jealous of Olaedo's beauty and presence, smirked smugly, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"It's her own fault," one whispered to her companion. "She married above her station. It was only a matter of time before her true colors showed."