Chapter 31

[ 969 words ]

Emilia’s POV

Scott walked into the ballroom.

My heart stopped.

He wasn’t supposed to be here. He was supposed to be in Germany for another week. But there he was, moving through the crowd with that easy confidence that made him such a natural leader at Hanson Group.

I felt Sebastian’s presence beside me like a wall of heat and danger. My mind raced through worst-case scenarios, each one ending with Sebastian making a scene.

“We should go,” I blurted out, tugging slightly on his arm. “You said you’d only stay for one walk around, right? We’ve done that. Let’s just…”

“Are you kidding me?” Sebastian’s voice was a low growl.

“No, definitely not. I just don’t want to force you into something you don’t like.”

His green eyes narrowed. “As much as I hate these events, I hate doing things halfway more.”

Before I could protest, he was already walking us deeper into the hall. My stomach twisted into knots.

I felt a sharp gaze from the distance that made my whole body shiver, so I hid behind Sebastian to avoid being spotted.

Please don’t let Scott see me. Please don’t let Scott see me. Please…

“Emilia!”

Fuck.

Scott’s voice cut through the chatter and music. I watched him weave through the crowd, his eyes locked on me.

He looked good. His gray suit fit him perfectly, and his warm brown eyes were bright.

“You look absolutely stunning tonight,” Scott said as he reached us, his gaze sweeping over my purple gown with open admiration.

“Thank you, Alpha Scott.” I kept my voice carefully professional, acutely aware of Sebastian’s body going rigid beside me.

Scott’s eyes never left my face. That look… God, that look was too intense, too intimate. Like I was the only person in the room.

Sebastian coughed.

Scott’s gaze finally shifted, landing on where my hand rested on Sebastian’s arm. His brow furrowed in confusion.

“Alpha Sebastian,” Scott said slowly. “I didn’t expect to see you at my company’s annual gala.”

“I didn’t expect it to be your company either, Alpha Scott.” Sebastian’s tone was pleasant enough, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.

The air between them crackled with something dangerous. These two clearly had history, and none of it was friendly.

Scott turned back to me, his expression softening. “Emmy, you never told me you knew Alpha Sebastian. I’m surprised you brought him as your date tonight.”

Before I could respond, Sebastian’s arm snaked around my waist and yanked me against his side. Hard. The possessive gesture stole my breath.

“I’m her husband,” Sebastian said flatly.

The color drained from Scott’s face.

“What?” The word came out strangled. His handsome features twisted with confusion and something that looked dangerously close to pain. “How is that possible? Emilia, I’m your boss and I didn’t even receive a wedding invitation.”

My mind scrambled for damage control. I forced a smile. “That was my oversight, Alpha Scott. You were in Germany on business, and I assumed you wouldn’t have time to attend the ceremony, so I didn’t send you an invitation.”

Scott’s eyes bore into mine with an intensity that made me want to look away. “When did this happen?”

Sebastian leaned down and pressed his lips against my cheek. The kiss was soft, deliberate.

“Ten days ago,” Sebastian murmured, his breath warm against my skin. “My dear wife was so busy preparing for the wedding, she probably forgot to notify some of her colleagues.”

Scott’s jaw clenched. His hands balled into fists at his sides. He opened his mouth…

“Alpha Scott?” A staff member appeared at his elbow, looking apologetic. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we need you for your opening remarks. The board members are waiting.”

Scott didn’t move immediately. He stared at me like he was trying to memorize every detail of my face, like he was afraid I might disappear.

“Of course,” he finally said, his voice hollow. “I’ll be right there.”

He walked away, his shoulders rigid with tension.

I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Relief flooded through me so quickly it left me dizzy.

Sebastian’s arm dropped from my waist.

“Now I see why you wanted me to leave,” he said coldly. “You have another lover here.”

My head whipped toward him. “What? No! Don’t accuse me of something like that.”

“Don’t accuse you?” His green eyes were icy with contempt. “If there’s nothing between you, why can’t he take his eyes off you? Why did you hide behind me the second we walked in?”

“That’s my boss, Sebastian. He didn’t know I was married. He was probably just surprised.”

“Surprised?” Sebastian’s laugh was sharp and humorless. “Look at him carefully, Emilia. Are his eyes full of surprise, or are they full of anger that another man claimed what he thought was his?”

“You’re interpreting things wrong. Let’s just go home before you accuse me of anything else.”

I tried to pull away, but a hand suddenly gripped my arm. Hard.

Before I could process what was happening, I was being yanked away from Sebastian and pulled toward the exit.

“What are you doing, Alpha Scott?” Panic shot through my voice.

“I need to talk to you.” His voice was strained, rough with barely controlled emotion.

“Wait… Scott, stop…”

He didn’t stop. He shoved me into his car, slammed the door shut, and peeled out of the parking lot.

My mind went completely blank.

I was dead. So incredibly dead.

Sebastian was going to murder me. How could he possibly tolerate watching another man drag me away right in front of him? I’d just told him Scott meant nothing to me, and now I’d proven myself a liar in the most spectacular way possible.

This wasn’t just bad.

This was a complete disaster.

If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.