Chapter 7: The Party pt 2

Devon looked up toward where the commotion was coming from, his gaze landing on Karina.

People around the hall stole glances at her and even a few whistles could be heard before some wives and girlfriends quickly pulled their partners back in check.

Devon’s eyes lingered for a moment before he looked away, realizing he had been staring too long.

Then he resumed his conversation with Jade.

Karina noticed.

But she didn’t say anything.

Slowly, she walked over to where Devon was seated and took the empty seat beside him.

Devon didn’t acknowledge her presence.

He simply continued chatting as though nothing had changed.

Karina had expected it.

Still…

seeing him smile at Jade like that hurt more than she thought it would.

She lowered her gaze and quietly continued eating her meal as if nothing was wrong.

As long as it involved Devon, she would take things a little slower.

But if it were anyone else, she wouldn’t hesitate to bite back.

Jade glanced toward Karina and sneered inwardly.

So what if Devon decided to keep the marriage?

The one he wanted was still her.

And sooner or later… she would get him.

An elderly man rose from his seat and tapped his glass lightly, gathering everyone’s attention.

He was one of the oldest and most respected figures in business, known for building an empire with branches spread across the world. He was also the host of this year’s business summit.

“I would like to make an announcement.”

The hall gradually quieted down, everyone curious about what he had to say.

“As you all know, I’m getting old and need to start taking life a little easier.” He sighed dramatically before adding with a smile, “As much as I love my businesses, I don’t think they’ll agree to marry me.”

The audience burst into laughter.

The old man was known for making jokes whenever he spoke publicly.

“But rest assured,” he continued once the room settled again, “the empire will remain in good hands. I’ve personally trained him all these years and there’s no one more suitable to take over than him.”

The murmurs immediately grew louder.

Everyone looked around in anticipation.

The old man smiled.

“My grandson, Seth.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a young man stepped into the light.

Gasps echoed around the room.

He was undeniably handsome.

His hazel eyes resembled his mother’s while his long blonde hair—something the Barnett family was known for—softened his appearance and made him stand out even more.

So this was the rumored grandson everyone had been talking about.

Ever since his parents’ deaths, the old man had raised him personally.

And somehow… he had grown into someone worthy of carrying the Barnett name.

Parents had already started exchanging looks while some daughters sat up straighter in their seats.

Some saw potential marriage alliances while others thought of opportunities.

Meanwhile, the men quietly suffered.

First Mr. Russell.

Now another ridiculously handsome heir.

Life really wasn’t fair.

Seth picked up a glass and poured himself some wine before raising it slightly.

“I want to thank every one of you for being here tonight,” he said calmly. “I hope you’ll place the same trust in me that you placed in my grandfather, and I’ll do my best to prove myself worthy of it.”

He raised his glass.

“To new beginnings.”

The audience stood and raised their glasses in return.

Devon let out a quiet scoff.

He didn’t like Seth one bit.

And the way Karina had been looking at him irritated him even more.

Devon gave the old man a slight nod before suddenly grabbing Karina’s hand and pulling her up.

Karina startled and instinctively tried to move behind him.

But Devon wasn’t having it.

Instead, he placed a hand around her waist and pulled her firmly to his side.

Ashamed to stand beside him?

Fine.

He’d remind her exactly where she belonged.

Meanwhile, a while earlier…

Karina felt her heart skip the moment she heard the name.

Seth.

But she calmed herself quickly.

It couldn’t be the same Seth she knew… right?

But the moment she heard his voice—

she knew.

She would recognize that voice anywhere.

Karina slowly raised her glass with everyone else, staring at him from afar.

He had really grown.

He didn’t look that different from before… except he had gotten taller and his voice had become much deeper.

She wondered if he could recog—

Her eyes widened.

Oh no.

He couldn’t recognize her.

Otherwise, the secret she had been hiding for so long would be exposed.

Karina’s fingers tightened around her glass as she quietly started thinking of a way to leave.

Then out of nowhere, Devon grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.

“No…”

Karina whispered under her breath.

“No. No.”

The old man cleared his throat and tapped his glass again, drawing everyone’s attention.

“There is one more announcement.”

He turned slightly.

“Mr. Russell?”

The hall quieted again as Devon stepped forward.

“It seems my silence has made some people too comfortable.”

His gaze swept across the room before landing on the same board members who had tried to force him out.

Several people immediately lowered their heads.

“I want to set things straight.”

Devon reached into his pocket.

Then took out a ring.

Karina froze.

Before she could react, he slid it onto her finger.

Her eyes widened.

What was he doing?

Almost instinctively, she looked toward Seth.

He was watching.

But…

there was no recognition in his eyes.

Karina quietly let out a breath.

“I'm married,” Devon said calmly.

Then he raised her hand.

His fingers held hers with such care

she almost believed it.

“Happily.”

Then he lowered his head and pressed a kiss against the ring.

A wave of whispers immediately spread across the hall.

“And I’ll also be taking over half of the Russell empire and expanding it further.”

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Good.

Now whoever still wanted to challenge him would think twice.

But something irritated him.

Karina wasn’t reacting.

Her mind looked somewhere else.

For reasons he didn’t want to think too deeply about… that annoyed him.

“From now on,” Devon continued, traces of warning hidden beneath his smile, “keep in mind that Karina Garcia…”

His fingers tightened slightly around hers.

“Or should I say…”

His eyes dropped to her.

“Karina Russell…”

A smile appeared on his face.

“…is my wife.”

The room erupted.

Nobody who wasn’t powerful enough immediately made a mental note to stay away from her.

Jade stood in the corner, seething with anger as she watched Karina receive all the praise and attention.

So what if she had become Mrs. Russell?

So what if everyone envied her?

That position should’ve been hers.

Jade clenched her fists before turning and walking out of the hall quietly, a plan already beginning to form in her mind.

Karina’s heart stopped the moment Devon said her name.

I’m screwed—

Slowly, she looked toward Seth.

And froze.

He was already staring at her with wide eyes.

He recognized her.

Seth parted his lips slightly as if he was about to say something.

Karina quickly blinked twice.

A silent signal.

Please.

Don't.

She hoped that he still remembered.

Seth stared at her for a moment before his expression shifted slightly.

Then he quietly closed his mouth.

Karina let out a small breath of relief she hadn’t realized she had been holding.

She naturally moved closer and linked her arm around Devon’s, smiling politely as people continued approaching and congratulating them.

As soon as they sat down, Devon leaned slightly toward her.

To everyone else, he still looked calm.

His expression didn’t change.

His smile remained in place.

But the words that left his mouth were anything but gentle.

“You’d better tell me what relationship you have with that bastard,” he whispered beside her ear.

His grip around her hand tightened slightly.

“Otherwise…”

His smile widened faintly.

“…you’ll regret it.”

Karina felt her heart sink.

What was she supposed to tell him?

She couldn’t tell him where they met.

If she did, he would investigate further.

And if he investigated, the secret she had been hiding all this time would come out.

Karina slowly turned to look at him.

His expression was warm.

He smiled whenever he introduced her to others.

He looked every bit like the perfect husband.

But his eyes—

they held something entirely different.

And somehow… that was even scarier.