The Abandoned Wife

Chapter 2

I was used to being the object of rumors and lies for years. Being made fun of in public didn't hurt as much; I had been through much worse. Not Alistair, though. He was different. He seemed strong and respected, almost like he was holy. Could it really be me who puts that at risk for him? He would lose face, risk his status, and have trouble with his carefully planned future if he dated someone like me, who has a bad name.

Alistair raised my chin, which put those intense, unreadable eyes right in front of me. I thought he could feel every question going through my mind. His voice, which was low and steady, made me shiver. "Don’t worry about that." His words were like a promise and an order at the same time.

He seemed sure of himself, but I couldn't get rid of my interest and a little bit of fear. I had an idea who the Devere family was,since I was bethroded to the youngest son, but Alister I didn't know much about his personal life. Why me? What did he want? But what did he see in me that was more important?

I tried to avoid answering by making a light laugh to calm down. "I was just joking..." Really, someone like you must have a lot going on." My words were almost too thin to hold together.

His eyes stayed on her, cool and judging. He asked in an ironic way, "Are you busy?"he asked

“yes I am”

"So am I. I still have time for you, though."

Even though I was a little confused, my senses, which I had trained over years of working in show business and avoiding its many traps, kicked in. I had fought enemies before, but Alistair was a whole different breed. He chose what would happen tonight, but I knew how to stay calm. After all, I was good at staying alive in this business.

Still, there was a glimmer of hope. People had heard of Alistair because he was cold and strange. It's possible that he wouldn't use force. But as soon as we walked into his house, that hope started to break down. Without thinking, he grabbed me and ran to the bedroom. Fear crept into my calm.

"Wait, hold on!" I called out and put my arms around his neck to buy some time. "Shouldn't I... freshen up first?" I asked in a softer voice. "Maybe take a shower?"

He stopped, and his eyes got narrow as he realized I was trying to tie him up. He picked me up and put me down while standing up straight. He looked a little amused. "Okay. "Go ahead."

I grabbed my clothes and made my way to the bathroom, feeling relieved but wary. But his deep voice stopped me just as I was about to shut the door. "Shower while I watch."

My heart jumped. I turned around and tried to smile. "Maybe I don't need a shower after all." Would you like... some candles instead? You know, for mood?"

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me close before I could move away. His voice was steady and almost funny. "Are you sure that putting this off will make a difference?"

I had a hard time paying attention as he began to unbutton his shirt. I leaned into him and put my lips close to his ear, feeling both desperate and determined. ‘Alistair, I have always liked you.’

The statement made him pause, and his eyes lit up with surprise. By lowering my voice, I hid the truth by acting like I was sincere. "Always." I've always admired you since we were kids. I just don't want to get off to a bad start.

Alistair's face couldn't be read, and his eyes were very sharp. He did not say a word as he left the room, though, after a nervous pause.

I fell asleep on the bed and let out a deep breath. It worked out after I took a chance. Alistair was careful and wary of things that seemed too simple or easy. I had bought myself some time off for now. But the lines were getting fuzzy. His younger brother Theodore, who used to be my fiancé, wasn't completely out of the picture either. A strange irony: I became the ex-fiancée, but I might end up back where I started, with ties to the Devere family.

---

Alistair wasn't there when I woke up in the next morning on the big gray bed. I woke up to a soft knock on the door. When I opened it, a nice middle-aged woman named Evelyn was standing there. She gave me a note that was written by Alistair.

"I'll be back in three days." When I get back, I want proof that how you feel is real.*

I gave myself a smile. That means he didn't believe what I said last night.

Evelyn went on, "Mr. Devere also left you this phone." It already has his number in it. "A driver will be there for you."

I said yes and picked up the phone. Alistair's rules would tell me what to do here, and I would have to be careful.

She added, "One more thing." "Every night you have to be home by eleven." The closet between your room and Mr. Devere's has where your things are.

As the thought settled in, I knew what I had to do. I was now a part of Alistair's world, which I didn't fully understand but expected me to follow. He had already forgiven me a sixty million yuan bill.

But I wasn't here to always be the good servant. The incident that hurt my reputation and brought down my family wouldn't keep me down for long. I had my own plans.

Many years ago, my family was part of the elite group that stood proudly next to the powerful Devere family. My papa set up a marriage for me and Theodore, the younger Devere son. This made our families closer. But Theodore's interest in me was short-lived and based on his own needs. He thought that our engagement would give him power over me and let him use me for his own pleasure. I had refused, keeping my pride in spite of his advances, which made him leave me for the fame that he saw in her. In the end, he made up a story about me and a married director to end our engagement for good.

Theodore didn't think much of me. Though I may have started the reports, I did so on purpose so that I could get away from him. Freedom was worth the price, even if it hurt my image. Everything had gone as planned, except for Alistair's sudden participation.

---

In the vice-chairman's office at Emperor Entertainment around 10 a.m. that day, Theodore was sitting with his new girlfriend, star Margaux. The way he spoke made it sound like he was trying to trick her, and it was clear that he wanted to forget about the past before his engagement.

It was almost a joke when he asked, "The debt of sixty million yuan?" "I'll forgive you as long as Seraphina spends the night with someone I choose."

The vice-chairman's face shook with worry. "Are you sure, Theodore?" Seraphina has been through a lot already.

Theodore's face turned serious. "Margalux's reputation can't afford to have any old scandals hang over her head during this engagement." Seraphina can be thrown away.

In the afternoon of that day, I got a call from my old employer. Hey Seraphina, good news! The voice was too happy, which made the act seem forced. "If you agree to... a private meeting, you won't have to pay the fine after all."

I pretended to be innocent and asked, "What's the catch?"

He wasn't sure. "It's Theodore." He wants the whole news to know about his proposal to Margaux.

I laughed very hard. "Tell the vice-chairman to keep the client to himself," I then hung up.

I had seen my family fall apart, been shamed in public, and been betrayed by Theodore. When Alistair got involved, the stakes went up, and I couldn't afford to make a mistake. But giving up wasn't in my nature. The game wasn't over yet.