The Silent Shield
1692 Words
The echo of her heels was the only sound Rose and Levin could hear until they stepped into the elevator.
“Is that how he treats you?” Rose could see Levin’s gaze fixed on her in the reflection.
“I don't need your sympathy.” She met his gaze haughtily, ignoring the gentle look he directed at her.
His green eyes immediately looked away. “I've never felt empathy for you. I’m glad to see you ‘small’.” Levin smoothed out the gray suit he was wearing. “I can't wait to see it again.”
Her fingers throbbed. She couldn't open her mouth to respond or defend her pride.
Finally, the elevator doors opened and she saw the reporters waiting for them, including Liana, who kept staring at Levin. Cameras continued to capture the two of them as they stepped out. Unexpectedly, she felt a warm embrace on her shoulder.
Levin’s hand was firm as he shielded her from the reporters pressing them to speak. John, who was already standing by the car, immediately opened the door.
“Get in,” he said. Levin let her go first.
Rose sat there, feeling something she couldn’t quite put into words. She touched the part of her body that Levin had touched and felt a soothing sensation wash over her as she recalled the moment.
She immediately looked at Levin after the car door closed.
"Are you going to see her?" The man stopped staring at Liana immediately.
"No, I won't." He replied firmly.
“Really?”
“Don’t ever go near her.” His sharp gaze made Rose smile.
"You won't?" Is that a promise to me?" She began to feel her confidence return.
Levin glanced out the window, and his silence brought a smile to her face.
*****
A new stack of papers sat on Rose’s desk.
“Please schedule a visit for me to the Stuart Corp. lab. I want to make sure we can continue this project there,” she said. She handed the signed documents to John.
“This is your first day of marriage.” John took the papers.
“So?”
“You should be home or somewhere else, just not here.” She could sense his sincerity.
“Do you think my marriage is going well?” Rose gave a slight smile.
John shook his head.
“That's why I'm here.” Rose picked up the papers that had just arrived on her desk. “He won't give me a moment to breathe.”
“I'm speaking as your only friend, Rose.” Those words captured her full attention. “Taking a moment to breathe isn't a mistake.”
Rose smiled bitterly. “If I stop, everything will fall apart. I’ll keep moving forward so the pain doesn’t choke me.”
John fell silent, overcome with sorrow. He couldn’t find his voice.
“Get back to work.”
She paused to reflect for a moment after watching John’s back disappear behind the door before refocusing on her work.
*****
The board of directors applauded as they welcomed Levin as the newest member of the Wilson family.
“I’ve always wanted a luxury resort on an island, but no one has ever given me one.” Hendrick’s gaze fixed on Levin. “Can you make that happen, my son-in-law?”
Hendrick's request took everyone by surprise. Without exception.
“It's still very difficult to make your wish come true, Mr. Wilson,” said Leo, who was in charge of the resort project.
“That's why I'm handing this project over to him. He needs to prove his worth to the Wilsons.” Levin felt that condescending gaze.
“What about the Hydrogen Core that Stuart Corp is trying to develop if he takes on this project?” asked one of the board members.
“The hydrogen core will be my responsibility,” Rose replied calmly and authoritatively.
“If the Hydrogen Core is under your control, the Wilson will have to cover all the massive losses,” another board member interjected.
“He'll pay for it with the success of this resort project. Isn’t that right, Levin Stuart?” Hendrick once again demanded everyone’s attention.
He sat up straight and smiled confidently. “I will make your resort dream a reality.”
Under the table, he clenched his fist tightly.
“In that case, Stuart Corp. owes nothing to The Wilson. The losses incurred will be paid for at a fair price.” Rose said this with her eyes fixed on him.
“This project will not fail in my hands, Mr. Wilson.” He continued to stare at Rose as he said this.
His sincerity won the trust of the board of directors.
*****
The streetlights reflected in Rose’s eyes as she looked out the window. The heavy traffic gave her and Levin, who was busy with the sheet of paper on his lap, a little extra time together.
“Do you know why Leo is surveying this area?” Levin showed her the sheet of paper.
“Because Hendrick Wilson wants him to.”
“This is a government-owned forest and conservation area.” The man pulled the paper back toward him.
“That's why this project never got off the ground,” she added.
“What proposals did The Wilson ever submit to the government?” Levin leafed through the papers.
“Stop looking through that pile of papers,” she ordered. “Look at me. I’ll answer all your questions.”
Finally, his tired green eyes looked at her.
“I'll help you.” Rose said those words sincerely.
Levin sighed when he realized who was standing before him.
“I don't need your help.” He massaged his temples.
“The information I have isn't written on paper.” Rose tried to persuade her husband.
“I don't want to owe you anything anymore.” His voice was drowned out by the sound of a car horn.
“What did you say?”
“I don’t want to be controlled by you.” Levin raised his voice to cut through the noise outside.
Rose was silenced by the rejection. Her gaze drifted back out the window and her fingers began to interlock.
*****
The car slowly came to a stop in front of the Wilson mansion. Before entering the house, Rose took a deep breath.
“Is something going to happen?” Levin watched Rose.
“No one knows.” She motioned for John to open the door.
“Have a good rest,” John said, accompanying Rose and Levin inside.
Stepping into the Wilson mansion for the first time, Levin walked behind Rose. A servant approached them.
“Mr. Wilson is waiting for you at the dining table,” he said.
Reluctantly, they made their way over to him.
“Take a seat and enjoy the welcome that this mansion has prepared for you.” Hendrick raised his wine glass. “Levin, sit next to me.”
Rose and Levin sat across from each other.
“Leave work matters behind. We'll talk as family in this house.” Hendrick drained the wine in his glass. “On the first day of your marriage, I was asked many questions.”
“What question did you hear?” Rose asked, not looking at her father.
“The question that was asked is still about the rejection at the altar.” Hendrick put a forkful of pasta in his mouth.
The awkward atmosphere had now turned cold and silent.
“Are you also going to refuse to sleep with my daughter?” Hendrick casually tossed out the question.
The cutlery Rose was holding trembled. Meanwhile, Levin responded with a sharp glare.
“Is that really a question you should be asking, Mr. Wilson?”
“I just want to make sure you’re serious.” Hendrick wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Are you going to continue to hate her or thank her?”
“That’s none of your business, Dad.” Rose steeled herself. “You have no right to meddle in his personal life.”
“Then I'll meddle in your life.” Hendrick leaned toward Rose. “Have you met Liana Collin yet?”
Rose curled the corner of her lip. “Why would I meet her?”
She could feel Levin’s anger as he glared at them.
“You said you’d get rid of her!” Hendrick had cornered Rose. “Do I need to get rid of her myself?”
“I broke up with her before the wedding.” Levin emphasized every word.
Hendrick leaned back. “If what you're saying is true, why was that woman at the same hotel on your wedding night? Did you book a room for her?”
Rose waited for Levin to answer.
“That’s none of your business,” he said.
Hendrick’s laughter echoed through the room, leaving Rose feeling suffocated.
“I don’t care about your pathetic relationship.” Hendrick slammed his fist on the table. “All I care about is my name. If my name gets dragged through the mud in the tabloids, I won’t just sit back and take it.”
Hendrick’s threat was the last sound heard at the dining table.
*****
Rose’s room had no sofas or chairs—only a large bed and a wardrobe that filled the spacious room.
Levin watched the woman’s back as she stood firm yet appeared fragile.
“I didn’t book a room for her.” That admission caught Rose’s attention. “I didn't know she was there until I saw her in the middle of the crowd of reporters.”
“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?” Rose’s eyes, which had briefly gone blank, came back to life.
“I want to end this damn dinner.” For the first time, he cursed in front of Rose. “I've told you the truth. In return, you keep your promise not to go near her.”
A bitter smile played across Rose’s weary face. “I'll protect her from my father.”
To Be Continued~~~
- Writer
