After I Become the CEO, My Heiress Ex Proposed to Me

Chapter 5

"What? You're married?" Yvonne's eyes went wide with disbelief.

"Does Sophia know?"

I adjusted my cuff and headed toward the elevator, not bothering to answer.

Inside the auditorium, the lights dimmed. A single spotlight beamed down on the stage, illuminating Sophia Reynolds at the podium.

The diamond on her finger caught the light, scattering sharp, blinding rays across the room.

I glanced at my phone—the screen still lit with the photo Olivia had sent.

Her sweet, gap-toothed grin calmed me instantly. Like a breath of fresh air after a storm.

Sophia's voice rang out, shaky and thick with emotion.

"What happened seven years ago… I wronged you."

A hush fell over the audience.

"All these years, I've regretted—"

A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. Phones were already raised.

Front-row girls hit 'record' with trembling fingers.

"That plagiarism scandal… I knew you were framed."

Her voice cracked.

"I should've spoken up. I wanted to. But I was scared…"

I smirked, thumbs tapping out a quick message to my wife:

[Ran into some trouble. Might be late.]

As I hit send, Sophia's voice rose.

"Vincent Wilson, I know you're here. This ring—"

She held up her hand, voice quivering.

"I had it custom-made. It's the design you drew… back then."

The room broke into murmurs.

"She's so brave!"

"This is like something out of a movie!"

"Post it, now—someone tag him!"

I stood.

Dozens of eyes turned. Phones clicked. Breaths held.

"Ms. Reynolds," I said, voice cutting clean through the noise,

"First off, thank you for the gesture.

But I have to decline. I'm already married."

The room froze.

Dead silence.

Sophia's face went ghost-white.

"You're lying."

I held up my phone for the crowd to see.

My lock screen: a wedding photo.

Victoria Windsor in an elegant white gown, my arm wrapped around her waist, both of us smiling like the world belonged to us.

"This is my wife," I said clearly.

"We've been married three years. Our daughter just turned two."

The audience erupted.

Gasps. Shouts. Frenzied tapping as videos went live.

Onstage, Sophia stumbled, gripping the podium like it was the only thing holding her upright.

Her lips quivered. Perfect makeup couldn't hide the devastation.

"You're… lying…"

She shook her head in disbelief.

"You said you'd always love me…"

I exhaled, calm and final.

"That was seven years ago."

Faculty rushed onstage, trying to salvage the chaos, but the room had already spiraled.

I made my way to the exit—just as Sophia's voice rang out, sharp and furious:

"Vincent Wilson! Don't you walk away from me!"

I didn't stop. I only picked up my pace.

My phone buzzed again.

[Should I come?]

Victoria.

Before I could respond, someone stepped into my path.

Sophia.

Eyes bloodshot, hair in a mess, breath coming in short bursts.

"Why?" she choked out.

"Why humiliate me like that?"

I took a small step back, keeping a careful distance.

"Ms. Reynolds, you need to calm down."

"I can't!" she shouted, grabbing my wrist.

"Do you have any idea what I've—"

"Let him go."

A cool, steady voice sliced through the air.

We both turned.

Victoria stood at the end of the hallway, dressed simply in a white blouse and jeans, our daughter nestled quietly in her arms.

Her expression was ice.

And her gaze?

Locked on Sophia.