Chapter 6: Someone Finally Notices Her Worth

Chapter Six

Amelia's POV

The banquet hall gradually filled with cheerful laughter, clinking glasses, and endless praise directed toward Sophia, while I remained quietly forgotten beside the display of antique jewelry.

Several noblewomen surrounded Sophia with warm smiles, admiring her gentle personality while openly complimenting Maxwell for protecting her so carefully throughout the evening.

"I've never seen Mr. Anderson worry about anyone so much."

"They truly look perfect standing together."

"Miss Sophia deserves someone as considerate as Mr. Anderson."

Every compliment reached my ears with painful clarity, yet none of them surprised me anymore because I had already accepted my place inside the Anderson family.

To everyone attending tonight's banquet, I was nothing more than Maxwell Anderson's quiet wife.

My attention shifted toward the jewelry display because beautiful craftsmanship had always been more comforting than pretending those careless words no longer affected me.

"Excuse me, but may I ask where you found that necklace?"

I turned and saw a handsome man studying the moonstone pendant resting against my collarbone with obvious admiration shining inside his eyes.

"My name is Ethan Carter, and I hope you won't misunderstand my curiosity because that necklace belongs to Designer Eleanor Ashford's private collection."

I looked down instinctively before raising my eyes toward him with quiet surprise.

"You recognize Designer Ashford's work?"

Ethan nodded confidently before stepping closer to admire the delicate craftsmanship without crossing the boundaries of proper etiquette.

"I've spent years studying her collections, and I can confidently say she has never released this design for public purchase because every exclusive piece remains with someone she personally treasures."

A faint smile appeared on my lips because very few people could recognize Eleanor's work so accurately.

"You seem to admire her very much."

"I admire extraordinary talent, and I also admire the person fortunate enough to earn Designer Ashford's complete trust."

Before I could answer, Eleanor herself walked gracefully toward us with an elegant smile resting naturally across her face.

"There you are, Amelia. I've been looking everywhere because everyone wants to meet the brilliant designer hiding behind my newest collection."

The surrounding conversations stopped almost immediately.

Several guests looked toward me with expressions filled with disbelief because none of them had expected Maxwell Anderson's wife to have any connection with the internationally celebrated designer.

Ethan smiled before laughing softly.

"I knew there had to be another explanation because Designer Ashford would never trust an ordinary client with something this valuable."

Eleanor proudly rested one hand upon my shoulder before looking toward the curious guests surrounding us.

"Amelia isn't simply my friend because she designed several award-winning pieces for my latest international collection, although she stubbornly refuses to accept public recognition."

The shocked whispers spreading throughout the banquet hall became impossible to ignore.

"So Mrs. Anderson is actually a jewelry designer."

"No wonder Designer Ashford speaks about her with such admiration."

"Why has nobody ever mentioned this before?"

Before anyone could continue whispering, Maxwell suddenly appeared beside us with an unreadable expression across his face.

His eyes settled briefly upon the necklace before shifting toward Ethan.

"Mr. Carter."

His deep voice remained calm, although the warning hidden beneath those two words was impossible to miss.

"I believe you've spoken with my wife long enough."

The atmosphere immediately became awkward.

Ethan looked between Maxwell and me before raising both hands with an amused smile.

"Oops... she's all yours."

He took several playful steps backward before chuckling quietly.

"I was only appreciating remarkable talent, not stealing another man's wife."

I rolled my eyes before letting out a helpless sigh.

Possessiveness suddenly mattered to Maxwell only after another man appreciated something he had ignored for seven years.

Eleanor looked at Maxwell thoughtfully, though she wisely chose not to comment before excusing herself to greet several distinguished guests waiting nearby.

The uncomfortable moment ended almost as quickly as it began.

Without saying another word, I quietly walked outside because the fresh evening air suddenly felt far more welcoming than another minute inside that suffocating banquet hall.

The cool breeze gently brushed across my face while moonlight illuminated the peaceful garden beyond the crowded ballroom.

"I suppose we should finally introduce ourselves properly."

I turned toward the unfamiliar voice and found a tall man standing beneath the garden lights with calm eyes that carried neither pity nor judgment.

"I'm Israelite Kingsley," he introduced himself politely. "Maxwell and I have been friends for almost fifteen years."

Recognition crossed my face immediately because Maxwell had mentioned his closest friend countless times throughout our marriage.

"It's nice meeting you."

Israelite smiled warmly before looking toward the brightly illuminated banquet hall behind us.

"I've attended many Anderson family gatherings, yet tonight was the first time anyone introduced you as Amelia instead of simply Maxwell Anderson's wife."

His honest words caught me completely by surprise because nobody had ever noticed something so simple.

"You deserve recognition for your own achievements because your talent shouldn't spend another day hiding behind someone else's family name."

Before I could thank him, hurried footsteps echoed across the garden path as a frightened servant rushed toward Maxwell.

"Mr. Anderson, Miss Sophia suddenly collapsed after feeling dizzy."

Maxwell didn't hesitate for even a single second. He brushed past both Israelite and me before hurrying toward Sophia without looking back once. Neither my presence nor our unfinished conversation seemed important enough to delay him.

Israelite silently watched Maxwell disappear before slowly turning toward me again with disappointment written clearly across his face.

"I've known Maxwell for many years," he said quietly, "but tonight I finally understand why your smile always looks so lonely." I smiled gently because denying the truth no longer served any purpose.

For the first time in years, someone had looked beyond the smile I wore every single day and finally noticed the pain hidden carefully beneath it.

"I'm fine," I let out a sheepish smile.

"You know what, you can always reach out to me when you needed someone to talk to, trust me I'm nothing like your husband," he said with all seriousness on his face.

The banquet was divided, everyone was after Sophia, she should win award for attention seeking, I know so well all this drama was because of Maxwell been close to me.