Nathan's black sedan came to a stop in front of the main lobby of Roswell Corp.

Several security guards were already stationed near the entrance, their attention drawn to the luxurious vehicle.

Inside the car...

Elina adjusted the strap of her handbag before turning to Nathan.

"Thank you for driving me to work, Nathan."

"Wait a moment," Nathan said flatly.

One hand remained on the steering wheel while his sharp eyes stayed fixed on the building's glass entrance.

Elina paused and turned back.

"What is it?"

Nathan looked at her with a calculating gaze.

"The reporters are probably already looking into our sudden marriage. Changing the groom at the wedding is bound to attract attention. There's a good chance they're already surrounding your family's company to get the story."

Elina remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"I understand. Don't worry. I won't give them any information."

"It's not just about giving them information," Nathan replied firmly. "You need to be careful with your attitude and the way you speak so they won't suspect our marriage. Do you understand?"

He continued, "If you're cornered and have no choice but to answer, simply emphasize that the change of groom was agreed upon by both families."

Elina stared at him without blinking, carefully considering every word he had spoken.

"So, you want me to act as though our marriage was planned from the very beginning?"

"It's the only way to keep Roswell Corp.'s stock price and Valmont Group's stock stable," Nathan answered coldly.

He leaned slightly closer, narrowing the distance between them.

"One wrong word from you could trigger damaging rumors. Remember the limits of your business experience."

Elina disliked the way Nathan spoke to her, but for now, she had no choice but to cooperate.

"You don't have to keep lecturing me, Nathan," she replied calmly, meeting his sharp gaze. "I know how to deal with the business media. I won't ruin the plan we've put together."

Nathan studied her expression for a moment, searching for even the slightest hesitation but finding none.

He gave a small nod.

"Good. My assistant will continue monitoring the media in case anything unexpected happens."

Elina tightened her grip on her handbag before nodding.

"Drive safely."

Without waiting for his response, she opened the car door and stepped out.

Keeping her shoulders straight, she walked gracefully through the glass doors of Roswell Corp. without looking back.

The executive office on the fifth floor felt as familiar as ever, but the atmosphere that morning was far heavier than usual.

Xavier Rosswel stood by the large window, holding a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold.

The moment he heard the office door open, he immediately turned around.

His aging face filled with surprise when he saw his daughter standing there on the very first day after her wedding.

"Elina?"

He quickly set his coffee cup on the desk and walked toward her.

"What are you doing at the office today?"

Elina smiled faintly, trying to ease the concern written across her father's face.

"I still have responsibilities here, Father. I have no reason to stay at home."

Xavier gently held both of her shoulders, carefully examining her face.

"How are you? How did Jeremy's parents treat you last night? Velicia... that woman couldn't have stayed quiet, could she? Did she make things difficult for you?"

"She was angry, Father," Elina answered honestly, her voice remaining remarkably calm. "But Nathan handled everything very well. You don't need to worry."

Xavier let out a long sigh, deep regret clearly etched across his face.

"I truly feel guilty, Elina. I've allowed you to enter a family as complicated as the Valmonts. Nathan isn't an ordinary man. He's a cold businessman, and no one can predict what he'll do."

Elina smiled bitterly.

"He's definitely cold, Father."

She paused, guiding her father to the sofa before continuing.

"But he's rational. At the very least, he's not childish or impulsive like Jeremy."

Xavier sighed again and nodded slowly, though uncertainty still lingered in his eyes.

"I'm just afraid you'll become a pawn in the cold war between Nathan and his brother."

"I know the risks, Father," Elina replied firmly. "And I'm prepared to face them. Right now, our priority is making sure our company remains stable."

Xavier fell silent for a moment before leaning back against the sofa.

"About the company... several business reporters have been waiting in the parking area since early this morning."

Elina narrowed her eyes.

"Have they contacted your secretary?"

"Yes," Xavier answered with a heavy sigh. "They've been asking for an official statement about why the groom standing beside you last night suddenly changed from Jeremy to Nathan. Several financial magazines have even started speculating that there's a division within Valmont Group's leadership."

Elina slowly clenched her hands on her lap.

"What did you tell them?"

"I haven't made any statement," Xavier replied immediately. "I instructed all of our secretaries and public relations staff not to say a single word until I spoke with you and Nathan."

Elina recalled Nathan's firm instructions in the car.

"Don't leave any room for speculation, Father," she said decisively, looking him straight in the eyes. "Direct every media inquiry to Valmont Group's public relations department. Nathan has already prepared the narrative that yesterday's wedding was a mutual decision made by both families to strengthen our business alliance."

Xavier looked at her in disbelief.

"Are you sure you want to use that story?"

"It's the only way to protect Roswell Corp. from a collapse in its stock price, Father," Elina answered without hesitation. "Let the public believe this was a carefully planned alliance. If we appear uncertain, the media will tear us apart and turn Jeremy's escape on our wedding day into a public spectacle."

Xavier closed his eyes briefly, absorbing the determination in his daughter's voice.

"Very well. I'll instruct our public relations department to direct every press inquiry to Nathan's office."

"Thank you, Father."

Elina smiled with relief.

"And... what about Jeremy?" Xavier asked quietly, his voice filled with restrained anger. "Has he contacted you or tried to see you?"

Elina let out a cynical smile before slowly shaking her head.

"He didn't even return to the Valmont residence last night, Father. He's still busy playing the hero for Rachel at the hospital."

Xavier clenched his fists on his thighs, his jaw tightening.

"An irresponsible man. He never deserved you."

"And I've already let him go, Father."

Elina's voice turned as cold as ice.

"Jeremy belongs to the past. From now on, our only priority is making sure Roswell Corp. remains strong under its new connection with the Valmont family... at least until our company is completely stable."