Chapter 5: Curiosity
854 Words
Gareth’s POV
The wedding ended, and we didn’t have any further interruptions. It was perfect, just like our families had planned.
The orchestra continued playing as the last of the guests congratulated us before leaving the estate. Businessmen, politicians, nobles, and socialites slowly disappeared one after another until the once-lively halls fell eerily quiet.
Only after the final guest stepped through the gates did I finally speak.
"Everyone may leave."
The servants immediately lowered their heads.
"Yes, Mr. Voss."
Within minutes, the entire hillside estate had emptied. Security remained stationed around the perimeter, but every maid, waiter, and event planner had been dismissed for the night.
Silence settled over the mansion.
Exactly what I wanted.
I loosened my tie before walking toward the master terrace overlooking the cliffs. The night breeze carried the scent from the forest below, cooling the warmth left by the afternoon sun.
From here, the city lights looked insignificant.
I rested both hands against the stone railing.
"As expected.” Nothing that happened today had surprised me. I already expected Elowen and Kian to interrupt the wedding with that fake news about the pregnancy.
The moment my father informed me of the wedding, I ran a quick background check on my future bride and was surprised to see what she had done before returning.
To think that she let such an insignificant man like Kian play with her. It infuriated me.
Elowen and Kian only wanted to create chaos. Since neither of them is intelligent enough to build their companies, they wanted to take it from Serena or me.
Of course, it did cause a small problem.
The union between the Voss and Thorne families had attracted nearly every influential figure in Europe and half of America. Every major financial outlet had covered the ceremony. Cameras had been everywhere.
Creating a scandal here would've guaranteed worldwide headlines, but of course I didn’t let that happen.
A faint chuckle escaped my lips. “Assholes.”
My gaze drifted toward the illuminated windows of the estate. Toward the guest wing, the room Serena was sleeping in today.
She was beautiful, and intelligent. When I saw her today, in that wedding gown that hugged her curves perfectly, I almost lost it.
I wanted to kiss her, but then Kian came, and anger took over.
A soft breeze swept across the terrace. Without realizing it, my thoughts wandered back several days. To our first meeting.
"I would like for us to sign a contract."
I remembered nearly laughing. To think that she dared to propose a contract to me, one where she asked me to stay away from her, and she didn’t even demand anything.
Instead...
She requested a divorce in three years. Now, I can see why Darrius felt drawn to her. There was something about Serena that mesmerized you.
I closed my eyes, and the first thing that came to my mind was her rosy lips. The ones I couldn’t kiss today.
“f**k,” I grumbled lowly, noticing she had provoked me without even knowing. “To think that my contract wife had this effect on me.”
I needed a drink.
——————————————————————
Several hours later...
I sat inside my study reviewing quarterly reports when three quiet knocks echoed against the wooden door.
"Come in."
“Mr. Voss,” Elias, my assistant, entered.
"Everything has been handled."
I looked up.
"The online footage?"
"Removed."
He placed the tablet before me.
"Videos from today's ceremony have been deleted from every major platform. Reuploads are being intercepted. Search rankings have already been replaced with official wedding coverage."
Perfect.
"And Lancer Group?"
"Their cooperative channels have begun experiencing... difficulties."
"The Hayes Group?"
"They've already begun distancing themselves publicly."
Of course they had. Nobody wanted to go against me, and I had warned them both. I wonder what they would do next, since Gareth made a public announcement with their marriage.
"Should we proceed?" Elias asked.
I tapped on the desk and wondered what my wife would think if she knew what I was doing. Would she protect Kian? Ask for mercy?
My fist clenched. That thought didn’t sit right with me.
“No.”
Elias blinked once. "No?"
"Not yet.”
Elias was ready to say something else, but refrained. Not even I understood why I was doing this.
Call it curiosity. I wanted to see what my dear wife would do after Kian came begging for help.
“Continue gathering information.”
Elias raised an eyebrow.
“And make sure to keep an eye on her.”
“Mrs. Voss?”
I nodded. “Tell me if she ever contacts Kian, and what they talk about.”
Elias nodded slowly. "I understand."
He turned to leave. Just before reaching the door, he paused.
"And if Mr. Reed attempts something else?"
This time...
My answer came without hesitation.
"Then I'll finish what I started."
Serena might be mine for three years, but I’m going to make sure she is only mine- nobody else's.
- Writer
