Page 70 of Beautiful Lies

The hall feels smaller.Hotter.My skin prickles as those icy blue eyes lock on mine, unblinking and unwavering.

Every instinct tells me I’ve crossed a dangerous line, but I force my chin up and keep my eyes on him.

This was supposed to happen. That is why I wore this hideous dress. To make a statement. And behold my success.

It was like I was meant to have this opportunity. Had Knox ordered me to get ready with Sheila, I would not have been able to pull this off.

I can just imagine what the headlines will say in tomorrow’s tabloids.

Knox Vale’s Fiancée—fashion disaster from the wrong side of the tracks. How could he be marrying someone like her?

While Knox won’t care about the fashion disaster part, people will be talking about him for the wrong reasons. That may only make a dent in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the forfeiture clause, but it’s a good start.

We meet each other in the middle of the hall. Mom and Mia stand to my left.

Mom and aunt Bernice are mortified by my outfit. Mia is amused—she knows exactly what I’m up to.

“Hello, love,” Knox greets me in that deep, smooth voice. The faintest smile plays at the edge of his mouth. A smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Malysh.” I started calling him that last night. It’s supposed to be a sweet Russian endearment, but I say it with dripping sarcasm.

When he leans in and plants a kiss on my cheek, I know the show for the world has begun.

Smile for the cameras and smile for him.

Several cameras go off around us, and my stomach squeezes. This is our first public appearance. After tonight, all of New York will know we’re a couple.

Knox turns his attention to my mother, Mia, and aunt Bernice, his charm flipping on like a switch.

“Mrs. Monroe. Mia, Bernice,” he says smoothly, addressing my family. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Thank you.” Mom offers a smile; so do Mia and aunt Bernice.

“Beautiful party,” Mia says, eyes sparkling with mischief.

Knox nods politely. “I hope you enjoy it. Please, help yourselves to some wine.” He points to the bar.

“Wine sounds great.” Mia nods. “We’ll see you both later.”

“Sure thing.”

Mia gives me one lastgood lucklook before she tugs both our mothers toward

the bar.

And just like that, Knox has managed to dismiss them with all the elegance of a king sending his subjects away.

Now it’s just us.

Knox and me.

The hum of conversation resumes around us, but it feels distant, like we’ve stepped into our own private arena, surrounded by wealth and unspoken threats.

“Interesting choice of dress you have there.” Knox looks me up and down, his gaze trailing over the hideous tie-dye fabric, like a touch meant to scald. “Didn’t you get the one I sent over?”

Here we go. It’sshowtime.

“I did, but I thought this was more suitable for me,” I answer in a wistful tone, stretching out my arms and giving him a little twirl. “You know, representative of my artistic abilities.”