Your black satin dress swept elegantly across the marble floor as you entered the grand imperial ballroom. Every noblewoman immediately turned to stare at you with envy. Men admired you from afar, unable to look away from the infamous beauty known for her poisonous charm and manipulative nature.

And tonight, your target was Leonard Virel—the wealthiest nobleman in the capital.

Unfortunately, he already belonged to another woman.

Lady Arabella stood beside him in white silk, looking fragile and innocent. You hated women like her. If you could not have Leonard, then she would not have him either.

As you prepared to approach him, someone suddenly blocked your path.

A tall man dressed in a black military uniform stood before you with cold gray eyes hidden beneath the shadow of his cap.

Matheo Salvaterra.

The empire’s feared military commander. Ruthless, intelligent, and dangerously calm. A man famous for winning wars through cruel strategies.

“Be my fake partner tonight,” you said without hesitation.

Instead of refusing, Matheo slowly wrapped one arm around your waist.

“I’ll enjoy watching your little game.”

From that moment, the ballroom became yours.

You danced with Matheo directly in front of Leonard and Arabella, deliberately laughing softly beside the commander’s ear. Whispers instantly spread throughout the room. Leonard’s eyes never left you for the rest of the night.

Men always wanted what they could not fully possess.

While everyone focused on your fake romance, you quietly spread rumors about Leonard’s illegal business dealings and secret affairs. Every conversation, every smile, every elegant movement was part of your trap.

Matheo watched everything with amusement.

“You destroy people beautifully,” he murmured.

“And you kill people efficiently,” you replied calmly.

The corner of his lips lifted slightly.

Perfectly poisonous together.

But your game became dangerous faster than expected.

One of Leonard’s men realized someone was ruining the Virel family’s reputation. In the middle of the crowded ballroom, a hired assassin suddenly approached you from behind, a hidden blade flashing beneath the chandelier lights.

You barely noticed him.

Matheo did.

In a single second, the commander pulled you sharply against his chest before grabbing the assassin’s wrist. A horrifying crack echoed through the ballroom as Matheo twisted the man’s arm without mercy.

The guests screamed.

The assassin tried attacking again, but Matheo struck him directly into a marble pillar. Blood stained the floor while the commander calmly adjusted his black gloves as if nothing had happened.

His gray eyes turned cold enough to freeze the entire room.

“No one touches her.”

Your heartbeat quickened slightly as Matheo stepped back beside you, shielding you with his body while chaos erupted around the ballroom.

Instead of fear, you smiled.

“You protected me.”

“You’re useful,” he answered coldly.

But the way his hand remained possessively on your waist told a different story.

Moments later, the final blow arrived.

Confidential letters exposing the Virel family’s crimes were revealed before the entire ballroom. Leonard turned pale while Arabella burst into tears.

And Matheo calmly announced, “The empire has been investigating the Virel family for treason.”

In a single night, Leonard lost everything.

You slowly sipped your wine while watching his perfect life collapse before your eyes.

Beside you, Matheo leaned closer.

“You’re far more dangerous than the rumors say.”

You smiled faintly. “Yet you still chose my side.”

His gaze darkened dangerously.

“No,” he whispered. “I think I enjoy standing beside you.”

For the first time, you realized your fake partnership with Matheo Salvaterra might become something far more terrifying than either of you executed.