Chapter 5: The Boardroom Brunch

Sam's POV 

The next morning, Ethan woke me up.

It was not entirely my fault. After I got married into the Sterling family in my past life, I was immediately isolated and neglected. My mother-in-law detested me. 

Why would I need my formal attendance or services? 

I also had little sense of routine! My days were spent idly eating and trying to learn the stock market. When I wasn't doing either, I would be sulking and no one cared.

"Hmm?" I rubbed my sleepy eyes and looked at Ethan with confusion. The warmth from the Egyptian sheets imbued my pale cheeks with a flush of pink.

 Ethan was also enveloped by a subtle and faint alluring scent.

"Get up quickly! The household staff and security will be coming in soon." He was almost exasperated as he gazed at me with discontentment. 

But I still noticed that my innocent state made him soften slightly.

I jumped up in a startle and picked up the white ceremonial sheet that I had casually thrown to one side.

I said awkwardly, "This? How should we handle this?"

Ethan was also embarrassed. He scratched his nose and clenched his teeth. A while later, he silently fetched a tiny Swiss Army knife from his travel kit. 

He pricked his middle finger and cleaned his blood with the sheet. In an instant, red spots appeared on the white fabric like a cluster of paint and it radiated in stark contrast to the white material.

"Enough! Enough!" I hurriedly snatched the sheet away as Ethan continued dripping his blood onto the cloth as if he waa in a daze.

He kept doing it as if he was signing a contract.

He just needed to stain the cloth. There was no need to lose much blood! 

What was he thinking that made him drip his blood unendingly?

Ethan's face grew hot but he carefully avoided my gaze. It was an awkward predicament.

"You, hurry up and get ready. There is a Boardroom Brunch today. It is to pay respects to my mother and the board members." Ethan coughed in an attempt to change the awkward atmosphere. 

Just as he finished speaking, a sound of knocking came from the door. It was followed by a hushed calls of "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling."

We both heaved a sigh of relief secretly.

*****

"Come in," I responded loudly after glancing at Ethan briefly.

The personal assistants entered gently and paid their respects to us before starting their designated chores.

They dressed us and brought us fresh towels. They prepared our hair and adorned us with jewelry efficiently. As they were doing that, my personal maid, Lily, stood aloof on one side as she was uncertain of what to do.

Two impeccably dressed senior staff members with clipped hair approached from the front, they picked up the blood-stained sheet. Realizing that Ethan and I were watching them anxiously, they beamed a smile.

Understanding that we were nervousness as a result of the formality, the senior staff exchanged an amused look before they each gave us a formal and polite congratulation. 

The surrounding staff also paused their chores and flocked towards us to give their well-wishes. Ethan summoned a weak smile while taking a quick glance at me. I also forced a smile weakly and he blew me a kiss 

As the staff saw that, their quiet cheering intensified.

After cleaning up, it was time for us to attend the Boardroom Brunch to pay respects to the matriarch, Mrs. Evelyn Sterling.

We headed out to the main dining hall.

We had to meet again! 

In my mind, an image of a perfectly coiffed, hot tempered woman with long, assessing eyes. She always pursed her lips while smiling broadly, a smile that was devoid of warmth.

There were going to be other family members at the dining hall. Uncle Robert Sterling (Evelyn's brother-in-law), Aunt Sandra, the various younger cousins and siblings and the inevitable presence of Gwen Farley!

As we walked through the corridors of the main mansion, i kept feeling as if I was in a dream. The feeling of being in another era was so real and surreal at the same time. 

I should have been familiar with everything as I had already lived all these moments. But as I lived mostly in isolation back then without stepping out of my secluded wing, I was unfamiliar with every corner of the estate except for the fragments of memories from the day after my wedding years ago.

In the massive, modern dining hall, the matriarch Mrs. Sterling, Uncle Robert and Aunt Sandra had already taken their seats. Behind them were the younger relatives with various assistants and staff standing around.

The room was buzzing with people. Everyone was present except for the family's international branch personnels who were currently overseas on business.

As we got into the dining hall, I instinctively glanced at Gwen Farley, who was dutifully serving Mrs. Sterling a specific coffee. Her delicate features were highlighted by her perfectly tailored business suit. It made her porcelain skin appear brighter. With a soft but sweet smile, she looked extremely pleasant to the eye with grace and charm.

Gwen Farley looked up at me as well and our gazes met. Her warm eyes rippled a little as it kept glowing distinctly. She flashed me an almost imperceptible nod and a friendly smile.

At she smiled, I shivered and lowered my eyes instantly. 

In my previous life, Gwen Farley's friendly manner and smile disarmed my anxiety completely and I felt confident. This time, her smile only made me feel a deep, icy coldness and hatred.