Chapter 4
1280 Words
At the VIP table, Liora looked graceful as she sipped her white wine. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her faint smile responded politely to the guests' greetings. Beside her, Xavier appeared relaxed, but his eyes stayed sharp and his hands never forgot their role.
Sometimes his fingers would reach for the back of Liora's hand, brushing it gently as if to soothe her. Other times, his hand tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Even when Liora was speaking with a European investor, Xavier leaned in, whispering close to her ear at a distance that left no doubt they were a couple madly in love.
Liora had been stiff at first, but she quickly adjusted to the situation. She played her part just as smoothly. Occasionally, she reached for Xavier's suit sleeve, laughing softly at his fake murmurs. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Noah drumming his fingers on the table, his jaw clenched tight.
"Xavier, I need to use the restroom," Liora said, standing and leaving the table.
She walked toward the restroom, and the moment Noah saw her slip away, he moved quickly to intercept her. Just before she could push open the bathroom door, Noah stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"We need to talk," Noah said, his gaze piercing into his ex-wife.
"I don't think we do," Liora replied flatly.
"What is this? Why did you come here and tell everyone you're Xavier Wrenford's wife? You can fool everyone else, but you can't fool me."
Liora lifted her chin. "Move, Noah."
But Noah didn't budge. His eyes swept over her from head to toe, as if searching for traces of the woman he'd discarded—the woman he once thought would beg him to come back.
"All I know is you were just his secretary. Your acting is impressive this time. I also heard Mr. Wrenford was supposed to be engaged to some rich heiress, not a broke woman like you," Noah sneered.
"If I really am married to him, what's it to you? Our marriage ended months ago. You left me—look who picked me up when I was at my lowest. So if I'm Mrs. Wrenford now, that means I was chosen by a man far above anyone else in this room."
"You think Xavier actually cares about you? He's just using you. I know men like him. You think you're safe next to him? You're just bait."
Liora tilted her head, staring at Noah like he was a stranger. "And you think I was safer with you? You were worse—leaving me buried in debt, sleeping with a rich woman for money. You're the cheapest man I've ever known."
The slap of her words turned Noah's face red—a mix of rage and humiliation. His right hand lifted, as if to grab her shoulder and hold her in place, but before his fingers could touch her arm, a deep voice cut through the hallway.
"Touch her, and I'll cut your hand off."
Xavier's voice was low but lethal. Liora turned her head; at the end of the corridor stood Xavier, one hand tucked in his trouser pocket, his black tie slightly loosened, his eyes drilling into Noah.
Noah instinctively dropped his hand and stepped back. "I just want to talk to my ex-wife. This is personal."
"Personal? She's mine now. What's personal about you? You threw her away," Xavier said coolly, then wrapped an arm around Liora's waist, pulling her close to his side.
Noah took in the sight, disbelief flickering in his eyes. A billionaire like Xavier Wrenford, marrying a woman his ex-husband had discarded?
Xavier pulled Liora closer, guiding her past Noah. As they walked away, Liora glanced back once, meeting Noah's frozen stare. Once they were far enough, she pulled free of Xavier's grip and looked at him sideways.
"Why did you come find me?" Liora asked.
Xavier shot her a quick look, the corner of his mouth lifting faintly. "You're mine. If I let someone else touch you, what's the point of this contract?"
They returned to the VIP table, settling back in as jazz music played and the gourmet dishes were served.
Meanwhile, across the room, Noah sat rigid beside Bella. His fists clenched on his thighs, his jaw tight, his lips twitching as he fought to hold back curses. Bella leaned in, her voice low with worry.
"Noah, stop staring at them. You're drawing attention."
Noah didn't answer. His eyes stayed locked on Xavier, now standing at the center of a cluster of major shareholders, raising a glass in a casual toast. Liora stood by his side like a queen.
Before long, the MC stepped onto the small stage at the end of the ballroom. His voice rang through the microphone, cutting through the hum of conversation at every table.
"Honored guests, before we close this business dinner, please allow me to invite Mr. Xavier Wrenford to the stage to say a few words."
Applause filled the room. All eyes turned to Xavier. He straightened his shoulders, glanced at Liora, then leaned down and whispered, "Listen carefully."
Liora only nodded, her eyes questioning.
Xavier strolled to the stage with ease. The jazz band lowered its volume, a spotlight highlighting him as he took the microphone. His posture was commanding, his presence impossible to ignore—this man knew how to own a room.
Xavier gripped the mic, his voice calm and steady.
"Thank you to all my colleagues, partners, and business friends for being here tonight. I'd also like to officially introduce—" he gestured toward Liora, "Mrs. Liora Wrenford, my wife, who will stand by my side in public and for our family."
A wave of applause rippled through the ballroom. Some investors glanced at Liora with curiosity and surprise. She stood, gave a polite bow, a faint smile on her lips. In the corner, Noah drummed his fingers harder on the table, clearly hating every second of this show.
Xavier continued. "I'd also like to extend special thanks to someone tonight, because without him, I might never have met Liora."
Guests exchanged puzzled looks. Noah began to shift in his seat, restless.
"Stay seated. Don't make a scene," Bella hissed.
Xavier's cold smile never left his lips as his eyes locked straight onto Noah. "Mr. Noah Anderson, you're here, aren't you?"
The room fell silent. All heads turned. Noah was forced to stand, though his shoulders were rigid.
"Yes, I'm here."
Xavier almost smirked. "Liora used to be your wife. You threw her away—and I thank you for that. Because of your stupidity, she's now standing at my side, where she belongs."
A few guests hid amused smiles. Some cleared their throats awkwardly. A whisper ran through another table.
"Is that Noah Anderson? From Astervale Holdings? The company on the verge of collapse?"
The murmurs spread like wildfire. Bella dropped her gaze, her face burning red. Noah forced a stiff smile, but everyone could see his hands shaking. On stage, Xavier delivered the final blow.
"Congratulations on your scandalous affair, by the way. Don't worry—at least Liora Anderson—oh, I mean Liora Wrenford—no longer has to live with trash like you."
The ballroom burst into applause once more. Xavier gave a slight nod, handed the mic back to the MC, and stepped off the stage.
Noah stood frozen beside Bella, humiliated.
Bella tried to calm him. "Let's go home, Noah. People are staring."
And in the distance, Liora stood next to Xavier, wearing a smile only she understood, knowing this revenge was just the beginning.
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