2. Cold Denial

Damian’s POV

“What’s wrong, Mr. Sterling? Do you know her?”

I keep my mouth shut, avoiding the gaze and question from the woman next to me. It’s going to be another problem if she finds out that Samantha is my wife. The Belrose clan has a strong family value. If they discover that my family’s looking down on their in-law, they might sever the cooperation we have.

“It’s nothing. Just don’t mind her,” I reply, holding back the urge to look behind me.

Samantha’s probably at a loss now on what’s going on. After all, I promised to stay by her side tonight. But things came up, and I have a reason for breaking that promise. If she loves me, she will understand without me explaining the details.

“Pfft!”

I purse my lips when I see Victoria giggling at the side. She does that whenever Mom scolds Samantha—Ah! This is the worst.

Turning my head back, I saw Samantha looking in my direction. Her eyes are teary like she's about to cry, proving my suspicion. Mom will not miss a day telling her off. If only she knows how to adapt in situations like this better than keeping silent, my head won’t be aching now thinking what to do to appease her later.

I can't even look at her any longer. She looks pathetic standing still without fighting back. She could have left or hidden from my mother. What’s wrong with avoiding a mother-in-law who always wants to argue? Unfortunately, Samantha still thinks my mother will get tired of it when I’m telling her she won’t.

“This is pissing me off,” I growl, frowning at my wife’s sorry sight.

Tsk. Samantha should know better. Doing things that will get my family's attention will put her at a disadvantage. I tried telling her to keep lying low, and yet.

“Marcus.” I glare at my assistant who's enjoying a glass of wine.

He freezes when he hears me and rushes to my side. “Yes?”

Tilting my head to the side, I whisper. “I ordered you to tell her to stay home. Did you not tell her?”

Marcus's face goes pale. He's working for me, but is also loyal to my mother. Did he trick Samantha into attending the party?

Was it Victoria?

“Get her out of here,” I grumble, holding his arm firmly. “Take her home before she causes a scene.”

“Yes, sir.”

Samantha isn't the type to make a scene, but with my mother's harassment, she may lose her temper and do things she hasn’t done before.

“Is everything alright?” Lorraine Belrose asks, her gaze moving between me and Marcus. “You seem uncomfortable. Is there something bothering you…or someone, perhaps?”

She turns her head and raises her eyebrows as she watches my mother scold Samantha.

“Isn't that the woman from earlier? Ah, I knew it. She's someone who wants to get your attention, isn't she?” Lorraine shakes her head.

“I know you're good-looking, but to be followed around by a woman like that…”

A woman like that? What does she mean?

“What about her?” I can't help but ask. Everyone in the Sterling mansion already talks bad about Samantha. It's a shame they couldn't appreciate her and it's already tiring dealing with her every time someone says something that offends her.

Lorraine scoffs. “I don't know why she's able to attend a party hosted by your family, but she obviously doesn't belong here.”

She talks as if she knows about Samantha's identity. And it's going to be a problem if she does.

I don't mind Samantha's status before she married into the Sterling family, but once the public finds out, the matriarch will not be pleased.

Samantha's position in the family is already difficult… I only want her to stay quiet for now. At least until I'm the one in charge of the company.

Tonight will be that moment. I worked more than I should to get to this position and Samantha should know how important this is for me…for us.

One wrong move and it will be another chaos I hate to deal with.

“Well, you have keen eyes, Miss Belrose. My brother truly needs someone like you. Otherwise, he'll be blinded for the rest of his life,” Victoria chimes in, earning a gentle laugh from Lorraine.

“My father also thinks that Mr. Sterling is the most eligible marriage partner for me. Unfortunately, he's supposedly married, isn't he?” Lorraine sighs.

If she knew I'm married, then why won't she let go of my arm?

“But I heard that the matriarch didn't acknowledge that woman. So, doesn't it mean their marriage is considered null?” Lorraine continues, sharing her head.

“Hmm. Well, even if Damian is married, isn't getting a divorce easy?” Victoria suggests. “After all, we can't have the new CEO of Sterling Empire marry just anyone. Miss Belrose here, however, is more than qualified.”

“D-Divorce? What is she talking about?”

Suddenly, Samantha shows up and overheard what Victoria said. She looks at me in confusion, her brown eyes begging for answers.

“It's none of your business and it's very rude of you butting in conversions where you don't belong,” I say firmly, cocking my head to the door, signaling her to leave.

She can cry in my arms tonight, but not right now, right here…when I'm about to get the position I've long for.

“Wha-What? Damian, are you saying that—”

“Marcus, get her out of here. Now,” I cut her off before she could say anything else.

I know she's upset, but I can't deal with her at the moment. Samantha should know that, too.

“Miss Gregory, please come with me this way,” Marcus says, holding Samantha's arm as he guides her to the exit.

“Let go,” Samantha mutters and pulls her hand away. “I'll leave on my own. You don't have to show me the way.”

A sigh of relief escapes my mouth after hearing her say that. If she leaves now, we can proceed with nothing to worry about.

“And for you Damian Sterling, this Miss Gregory wishes to talk to you when you're done with your business here,” Samantha states, her voice calm and cold.

Huh? What’s with her?

I shrug off her words, not thinking much about it and turn around.

Samantha will have to listen to me later anyway. She always does.