Chapter 9
Chapter 9:
Austin stood tall, his presence so striking that every gaze in the room was drawn to him.
Brinley couldn’t help thinking it was no wonder he was hailed as the most handsome man in Bleron. His looks, his commanding aura, his physique—everything about him—was far superior to Colin’s in every possible way.
To end up with a husband so wealthy and dazzling felt like fortune smiling upon her.
Brinley and Austin held each other’s gaze for a brief moment.
Before either of them could speak, the doors swung open and a burst of commotion flooded the room. Several business partners hurried in.
“Mr. Moore, we’ve been waiting anxiously for your arrival p>
“You’re always occupied with work; it’s rare to catch a glimpse of you p>
They surrounded Austin at once, each eager to curry favor, unintentionally shoving Brinley to the side in their excitement.
Austin’s expression darkened with clear displeasure at the interruption, but the group remained oblivious, talking over one another with unchecked enthusiasm.
Thalia stepped forward to smooth the awkwardness. “Mr. Moore will be spending plenty of time with you today, so there’s no need to rush. Please, take a seat and have some drinks first p>
Then she turned to Brinley and drew her back from the edge of the crowd, smiling as she introduced her. “This is Ms. Brinley Shaw. She’s here today to share some of her business insights with you p>
𝗢𝘳𝘨𝖺𝗇𝘪𝘻𝖾 𝘆о𝗎𝗋 𝘭𝗶𝖻𝗋a𝗿у 𝗈ո.с𝗈𝘮
Thalia’s intention was to ease the atmosphere, but the mention of Brinley’s name instead sparked a ripple of muffled laughter.
One of the men, Oliver Simpson, looked Brinley up and down before commenting with a mocking grin, “Ms. Shaw, you’re certainly easy on the eyes, but your judgment… perhaps not quite as impressive. You cut ties with your own family for a man, and became nothing but a joke in Bleron p>
Another added, “Yes, Ms. Shaw, if you’re so devoted to men, perhaps family affairs should be your focus rather than business ventures p>
“Oliver!” Thalia frowned in displeasure, about to intervene, but Austin lifted a hand to stop her.
All eyes turned to him at once.
Austin crossed the room at an unhurried pace. He reached out and brushed a strand of Brinley’s hair behind her ear, then slid an arm naturally around her waist.
“So, in your opinion, Mr. Simpson, my wife doesn’t measure up to your standards p>
His tone was light, yet threaded with something menacing.
Oliver went rigid, terror flashing across his face.
Brinley Shaw—the woman who had supposedly severed ties with her family and ruined her name for some man—was Austin Moore’s wife?
Oliver forced an awkward laugh, scrambling for words. “Ah, Mrs. Moore, my apologies. Mr. Moore, people say you’re not interested in women, but clearly you have exquisite taste and prefer p>
He hesitated, then finished, “Prefer beautiful women p>
Though it sounded like a compliment, his eyes carried a faint, unmistakable contempt.
Thalia scowled, ready to step in again, but Austin signaled for her to hold back.
Instead of speaking, he watched Brinley with obvious interest, curious to see how she would respond.
With a small smirk, Brinley turned to Oliver. “Mr. Simpson, your words remind me of something. I once heard that certain influential businessmen are fond of keeping several young women at once. It’s truly shameless. Surely you’ve heard such rumors too p>
Oliver’s face went pale.
He did keep several mistresses—some of them very young. It wasn’t entirely public, but it was hardly a well-guarded secret.
Brinley’s remark was a direct jab. Yet with Austin standing beside her, Oliver didn’t dare retaliate.
Brinley wore a faint smile as she let her gaze sweep the room. “Instead of speculating about others, wouldn’t it be wiser to mind your own affairs p>
Her words, polite in tone but sharp in substance, deflected the mockery while issuing a quiet warning.
Standing beside her, Austin looked thoroughly pleased.
He had assumed Brinley was gentle and reserved, yet here she was—fearless and assertive.
Sensing the tension, Thalia stepped in with a light laugh. “Well, Brinley certainly has a sharp tongue. All right, everyone, let’s not take it too seriously. Come, let’s sit down. No need to crowd around p>
Oliver’s expression remained stiff and sour, but he took a seat, not daring to argue.
Leaning closer to Brinley, Austin murmured, “Quite the impression you’ve made, my dear wife p>
Brinley tilted her head toward him, her smile playful. “Like what you saw p>
Austin only smirked, choosing not to answer. Instead, his hand tightened around Brinley’s waist.