Chapter 23

MADDIE

Hades was scowling at me the whole time we were inside the car. He firmly objected to the gown of my choosing, but he can't do anything about it as I refuse to remove it. I can see that he's almost on the verge of tearing the gown from my body.

However, I still ended up getting what I wanted when I threatened that I wouldn't be going with him if he didn't allow me to wear whatever I wanted. Hence, our situation right now.

The drive to the event was long and filled with a tense, charged silence. I could feel Hades' disapproval like a tangible weight, but I refused to let it deter me. Tonight, I would stand my ground.

We finally arrived at the venue, a grand estate illuminated by glittering lights and surrounded by luxury cars. As the driver parked the car, Hades turned to me as his eyes darkened with a mixture of frustration and something else—something I couldn't quite place.

"Stay close to me," he instructed. "I don't want any trouble tonight."

I simply roll my eyes in response, unbuckling my seatbelt and stepping out of the car. Hades quickly came around to my side, offering his arm. I hesitated for a moment before taking it, knowing that we needed to act on our specific roles as husband and wife.

As we walked into the event, heads turned and whispers followed us. The gown I had chosen was a stunning piece that is elegant yet undeniably provocative. It clung to my curves and left little to the imagination, drawing more than a few appreciative glances. I could feel Hades tense beside me, his grip on my arm tightening.

We were soon approached by a group of Hades' business associates. They greeted him warmly, their eyes flicking towards me with curiosity. I could see them appraising my appearance, and while some of the men looked impressed, a few of the women eyed me with thinly veiled judgment.

After a few hi's and hello's, we finally managed to go to our table. He pulled a chair for me like a perfect gentleman before he took the seat next to me. It hadn't been long since we sat on our table when he excused himself.

"I'm just going to check on something. I'll be quick," Hades said. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it.

Hades was the kind of businessman who commanded attention simply by being in the room. People gravitated toward him, eager to make his acquaintance or catch his attention; he rarely needed to approach others first. I found myself wondering where he was heading.

As he moved away, I watched him navigate the room with ease, his presence drawing the eyes of everyone around. Even without trying, he exuded a natural authority that made people want to be near him, to engage with him, and to earn his approval. The air seemed to shift wherever he walked, charged with the unspoken acknowledgment of his power and influence.

I sit there, feeling slightly out of place amidst the swirling conversations and clinking glasses. The room was filled with elegantly dressed men and women. I kept on receiving a meaningful look from some of the guests. They probably recognized me, as it hadn't been long since my face filled the tabloids because of my wedding scandal.

Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed by the opulence of the event, an elegant-looking woman with a sparkling necklace and an air of superiority approached me. Her refined appearance was marred by a certain icy demeanor that made her presence immediately felt.

"Hi, I’ve seen you arrive with Hades," she said with a forced, practiced smile. "I’m Julia, a friend of Hades."

I managed a polite smile in return. "Yes, I'm with him. It’s nice to meet you, Julia."

Julia’s gaze lingered on me with an unspoken scrutiny. "So, what’s your name? How come Hades hasn’t mentioned you?" she asked, her tone edged with thinly veiled disdain.

Her question felt more like an interrogation than a friendly inquiry. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Julia was sizing me up, perhaps trying to establish her dominance or gauge my worth. Was she an old flame of Hades, or simply someone who felt threatened by my presence? Either way, I wasn’t about to let her push me around.

"Well, I could say the same," I replied, my voice steady despite the prickling tension. "Hades hasn’t mentioned anything about you either. Is there any particular reason why I should know you?"

Julia’s smile tightened, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she were assessing my reaction. "Oh, I’m sure Hades has his reasons for keeping things under wraps. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I suppose I’m naturally curious about anyone new who suddenly appears in his life."

Her tone was dripping with condescension, and I could sense that she was trying to assert her own importance while subtly undermining me. It was clear that Julia was not just curious but was trying to establish a pecking order.

“Well, it’s always interesting to meet new people,” I said, striving to keep my voice calm and collected. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other.”

Julia’s smile did not reach her eyes. “I’m sure we will,” she replied coolly. “And in the meantime, I’ll be sure to keep a close eye on you.”

With that, she gave a curt nod and turned away, blending back into the crowd with a swish of her impeccably tailored dress. Her departing words left me with an unsettling feeling, as if she was trying to assert her dominance and caution me against crossing any unwritten lines.

I watched her walk away, my frustration mounting. Julia’s attempt to bully me only fueled my determination to assert myself. I wasn’t going to let her dictate my place here, regardless of her status or sharp tongue. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I resolved to enjoy the evening on my own terms, unaffected by Julia’s veiled hostility.

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