Chapter 4

“I’m sorry.” Camilla said, in her soft voice. Once again, she was unable to look me in the eyes, like I was some sort of monster, and I clenched my fists.

I had tolerated her presence for four years even though she had forced her way into my life. Why did she have to make me feel bad for it when I provided everything she ever needed. 

“...Act like a wife sometimes.”

The words came out before I could stop them, and when she finally raised her head, the tears I saw drove an arrow into my heart.

God. Why was I feeling this way? She was insignificant, and I would be divorcing her soon. 

The best response would be to leave now, so I can cool my head.

But could she stop making things hard for me? I was just a man, and I needed clarity for my business, not a wife that would drive me into an emotional state.

As I walked to my partners, my thoughts went to the moment when she had walked down the stairs with that blue dress, hugging her at every curve.

How had I not been seeing this? Was she always this beautiful? My mind couldn’t understand it, and even as we walked on the red carpet, it felt like a knife was being twisted in my heart.

She hated me too, so even though I gave nice comments, it would do nothing.

Deep breaths, Trent. Don’t forget she drugged you? If she truly cared about you, she wouldn’t have used such devious means.

The thoughts came back to my mind, and I steeled back my resolve. It doesn’t matter how beautiful she looked, nothing would change the fact that beneath all that beauty, she was still a snake. 

If not for her silly mistake. If she had refused, she would have rejected Granddad’s proposal, but she merely stayed silent for her own good. 

A selfish human nonetheless, undeserving of my attention. 

My eyes landed on our premium partners, as the both of them were conversing with each other. 

“Master Infield, and Doctor Ark. I’m sure you remember me, and a wonderful evening to the both of you.” I said, giving them my most polite smile.

Everything was turning well, until I pitched my idea to them. 

“Mr. Voughn, this is such a good idea, but for now, the slots for our capital funding has been taken.”

Shock decorated my face, “I thought the reason for hosting the ball was an idea capable of filling up that spot. The evening just started and there was no way someone would come up to you so fast.” I said, with an awkward chuckle, because I just didn’t want to believe it.

Only the top dogs knew about the opportunities, and it was tight information. 

Who else could grab this opportunity so fast?

An image came to my head but I shook it off. There was no way, because that man was two continents away. 

“It was a brilliant idea too, so we have no regrets. It was an instant selection.” Doctor Ark laughed, and it felt like I was being fun of. 

“I understand,” I said with a smile, and was about to turn around, when curiosity got the best of me.

“Thank you both for your time, but might I know the name of this person?” I asked, taking a glass of champagne from the glass of the waiter that just passed us.

It was Infield who spoke up this time. “His name is Sebastian Rich.”

I choked on my drink, coughing out in surprise. It couldn’t be. 

“Are you okay, Mr. Voughn?” One of them asked, and I waved my hands. No, I was bloody not okay, but I didn’t have any fucking choice.

That bastard, I seethed. My damned uncle. 

He was the first person I had tried to pitch to, but he had refused my audience. Just like he did two years ago. 

I clenched my fist, hearing a crack from the glass, which caused me to stop.

“I am okay, thank you for the name.” I said with a slight bow, and turned to leave, anger running through me. 

I needed to find Camilla, and then we were leaving this cursed place. 

How the heck did that man get here so fast? I hate him so much.

At that time, I spotted Camila exactly where I left her. Good girl. I smiled to myself, at least she was obedient, and somehow, seeing her soothed the way I felt. 

But why was she laughing? I turned my gaze, and my blood boiled. 

“What the heck is he doing with her?” I gritted my teeth and walked faster. 

My so-called wife didn’t even notice me coming. Was she so immersed in talking to him? 

Why had she never laughed like that with me?

A burning feeling appeared in my chest, rising to my throat, and it only made me angrier. 

That I could feel so jealous, over an ordinary man. But I knew. 

My uncle, Sebastian, was no ordinary man. To me, he was the devil, but to the whole world, he was amongst the top ten richest men in the world.

Damn it, Camilla. Why did you have to go talk with him? I was so angry that I almost collided with a waiter.

“Watch where you are going, damn fool.” The words left my lips in a growl, and I didn’t care about my image at that moment. 

I only knew one thing, no matter what, I couldn’t let that man near Camilla.

She was my wife, and she was mine alone. 

And that was the thought that remained in my mind, as I slipped my hand

around her waist, facing the man who was the center of my raging anger. 

“Hello Uncle.”