The grand Empire Cathedral had never witnessed a scene so breathtaking.
Golden chandeliers rained down soft light upon rows of the world's most powerful elites. Every eye was fixed on the grand aisle—waiting, anticipating, hungry for the drama that was about to unfold.
And at the altar, Leon Xu stood like a fallen god restored to his throne.
Dressed in a pristine white suit that did nothing to hide the dangerous edge beneath his beauty, he looked every bit the king he claimed to be.
But his eyes…
Those sharp, dark eyes scanned the grand entrance like a predator awaiting his prey.
Then—
The massive cathedral doors creaked open.
The entire hall gasped.
Ella Lin stood at the entrance, draped in a blood-red wedding gown that flowed behind her like a river of fire.
No white. No purity.
Only war.
Her chin lifted with regal defiance as she took slow, deliberate steps down the aisle.
Every click of her heels echoed like gunfire against the marble floors.
This wasn't a bride walking toward her happily ever after.
This was a queen marching into battle.
Leon's smirk faltered for the briefest second as she approached.
"Beautiful, as always," he murmured, reaching for her hand.
But before he could touch her, Ella stepped back, her cold eyes meeting his.
"You wanted a show, Leon?" Her voice cut through the cathedral like a blade. "You'll get one."
She turned to the gathered audience, to the billions watching live across the globe.
"Today, I stand here not to surrender, but to reclaim everything stolen from me—my freedom, my pride, my future."
A hush fell over the room.
Leon's expression darkened, his jaw tightening.
"Ella…" His voice was low, warning.
But she ignored him.
"This wedding isn't my downfall. It's your endgame, Leon Xu."
She reached into her gown and pulled out a hidden flash drive.
"With this, every hidden crime, every shadowed empire you built will crumble. And with it… your power."
The screens inside the cathedral flickered to life, broadcasting classified files, damning evidence Leon thought buried forever.
His hands clenched into fists.
"You dare—"
Ella leaned in close, her lips brushing against his ear, her final whisper dripping with venom and triumph.
"Checkmate, Leon. And this time, I'm the one walking away."