Skyscrapers and Starlight – The Dragon’s Daughter
By Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 2: Checkmate in White
Part 1: The Sacred Disruption
St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s ancient walls trembled with organ music as Alexandra and Marcus paused at the massive doors. Inside, James’s voice carried: “I, James Harrison, take thee, Victoria—”
“Ready?” Marcus whispered, his hand warm against her lower back.
Alexandra’s fingers flew across her phone, sending one encrypted text. Show time.
They burst through the doors, the assembled crowd gasping as their footsteps echoed down the marble aisle. James and Victoria froze at the altar, their matching sneers dying as Father Michael’s phone buzzed.
The priest’s face paled as he read the message. “I… I must stop this ceremony.”
“What?” Victoria shrieked, her designer veil askew. “You can’t! Do you know who I am?”
Father Michael’s hands trembled. “The Archbishop himself has… has declared this ceremony invalid. Security will escort you out.”
James lunged forward. “This is ridiculous! We booked this months ago!”
“Actually,” Alexandra’s voice cut through the chaos, crystal-clear, “I booked it. A year ago.”
“You?” Victoria’s laugh was hysteric. “The delusional consultant?”
Two security guards materialized, their earpieces gleaming. “Ms. Blackwood, Mr. Harrison, please exit the premises.”
“This is her doing!” James jabbed a finger at Alexandra. “She’s nobody! She’s—”
“Being very patient,” Marcus cut in, his tone deadly soft. “I suggest you leave before that changes.”
Victoria clutched her bouquet like a weapon. “You can’t just—”
“Father,” Alexandra said calmly, “I believe you have another ceremony to perform?”
The priest nodded vigorously, relief flooding his features. “Yes, yes! For the Drake-Chen wedding.”
The crowd erupted in whispers as James’s face purpled. “Drake? The Marcus Drake?”
“The very same,” Marcus smiled, shark-like. “And my bride is waiting.”
“This is assault!” Victoria screamed as security dragged them toward the exit. “Daddy will hear about this! We’ll sue—”
The heavy doors slammed shut, cutting off their protests.
Father Michael cleared his throat. “Shall we begin?”
Alexandra took Marcus’s arm, her smile radiant with victory. In her clutch, her phone displayed one message:
Sent to: Archbishop’s Office (Secured Line)
Wedding authorization override: Code Chen-GT7749
Status: Executed
“We shall,” she said softly, as James and Victoria’s shouts faded into the Manhattan traffic.
Part 2: The Drake’s Nest
Manhattan traffic parted like the Red Sea for their Rolls Royce, the “Just Married” banner fluttering behind them like a victory flag. Alexandra’s wedding band—hastily purchased from Cartier an hour ago—caught the afternoon sun as Marcus’s hand found hers.
“So,” he said, thumb tracing her knuckles, “about living arrangements…”
She arched a brow. “Worried I’ll disappear into my consultant’s flat?”
“More worried about my parents’ reaction if I don’t bring my new wife home.” His laugh held an edge. “They’re probably already there, contract in hand for my ‘real’ wedding to Sophia Montgomery.”
“Montgomery?” Alexandra’s pulse quickened. Montgomery Construction was Global Titan’s second-largest competitor. “Your parents wanted you to marry into—”
“The Montgomery empire, yes.” He turned onto Park Avenue. “Surprise.”
The Drake mansion loomed ahead, all limestone and old money. And there, on the steps, stood Harrison and Elizabeth Drake, flanked by the entire Montgomery clan.
“Bloody hell,” Marcus muttered, killing the engine. “Ready for round two, wife?”
Alexandra’s smile was pure silk. “Always, husband.”
The explosion was immediate.
“Marcus Alexander Drake!” Elizabeth’s voice could’ve shattered diamonds. “What is the meaning of this?”
Sophia Montgomery—all perfect blonde curls and family money—burst into tears.
“You’re supposed to be marrying my daughter!” Robert Montgomery roared, his face matching his red tie.
Marcus helped Alexandra from the car, his arm protective around her waist. “Actually, I just married someone else. Mother, Father, Montgomerys—meet my wife, Alex.”
“Your what?” Harrison Drake stepped forward, document clutched in his fist. “This marriage isn’t valid. The Montgomery merger—”
“Is dead,” Marcus finished. “Like my interest in arranged marriages.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed at Alexandra. “And who exactly are you, dear?”
“Nobody,” Sophia spat through tears. “Probably some gold-digging—”
“Enough.” Harrison’s voice cut like ice. “Marcus, you have one hour to annul this… mistake. The Montgomery contract is ironclad.”
“Or what?”
“Or you’re cut off. Disinherited. The Drake fortune goes to your cousin.”
Marcus’s grip tightened on Alexandra’s waist. “You can’t—”
“One hour,” Harrison repeated. “Divorce her, or lose everything.”
The ultimatum hung in the air like a guillotine blade.
Alexandra’s phone buzzed in her clutch—a news alert about Global Titan’s heir. But before she could speak, Marcus straightened.
“Then I choose her.”
Part 3: The Lion’s Den
The Drake mansion’s foyer crackled with hostility, crystal chandeliers trembling with the force of raised voices. Alexandra stood in the eye of the storm, watching the chaos unfold with almost clinical detachment.
“She’s clearly unstable,” Elizabeth Drake sneered, gesturing with her gin and tonic. “Claiming to be Wei-Ming Chen’s daughter? Preposterous!”
Robert Montgomery jabbed a finger at Marcus. “Your little gold-digger’s delusions will cost us billions!”
“I am Alexandra Chen,” she said quietly, her voice somehow cutting through the din. “Heir to Global Titan Construction.”
The room erupted in cruel laughter.
“Oh, darling,” Sophia simpered, dabbing fake tears. “Everyone knows Alexandra Chen is in Switzerland. Daddy checked.”
Marcus shifted protectively in front of Alexandra. “Stop attacking my wife.”
“Your wife?” Harrison spat. “This nobody who’s probably after the Drake fortune?”
Alexandra’s fingers danced across her phone screen: “Claire – Send 2Billion Dollar offer to Drake Construction. Non-negotiable terms: Marcus Drake remains CEO. Effective immediately.”
“I won’t divorce her,” Marcus declared, his voice steel. “Cut me off, disinherit me, I don’t care.”
Elizabeth’s wine glass shattered. “You’d choose this… this fortune hunter over your family?”
“Every time,” he growled, though Alexandra could feel his hands trembling. “She’s my wife. Attack her again, and you’ll lose more than a merger.”
Sophia lunged forward, manicured claws extended. “You little witch! You’ve ruined everything!”
Marcus caught her wrist mid-swing. “Touch her, and I’ll bury Montgomery Construction so deep, you’ll need archaeology permits to find it.”
Robert Montgomery turned purple. “How dare you threaten my daughter! We’ll destroy—”
A chorus of phones chimed simultaneously.
BREAKING NEWS: DRAKE CONSTRUCTION RECEIVES $2 BILLION INVESTMENT
SOURCE: GLOBAL TITAN SUBSIDIARY
CONDITION: MARCUS DRAKE MAINTAINS CEO POSITION
The room froze.
“Impossible,” Harrison whispered, staring at his phone.
“I did try to tell you,” Alexandra said softly, straightening her spine. “Now, shall we discuss how you’ve all just threatened and attempted to assault the daughter of Wei-Ming Chen? Or should I call our lawyers first?”
Marcus turned to her, shock warring with dawning realization. “Alex…”
She squeezed his hand. “Still want to protect your delusional wife, husband?”
The security feeds would later show the exact moment the mighty Montgomery-Drake alliance crumbled—brought down by a single text message and the woman they’d tried to break.
