The Handsome CEO Is My Husband
Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Chapter 35

"No," Liam stopped Veronica.

His mother was putting Veronica in a lose-lose situation.

If they left, the party would start talking about conflict within the family, and if Veronica got up there to speak about how wonderful these donations were, he knew a few people who would laugh at her not seeing that she was looked down on, and she would make his mother look good.

"Come closer with me," Liam said, holding Veronica’s hand as he walked to the stage but wasn’t taking her up there to join his family.

Liam let go of Veronica’s hand when he reached the stage. "Don’t move from here. I’ll be back soon."

While he wanted to encourage Veronica to not back down when games were being played to embarrass her, she didn’t need to pay these silly games any mind when he was by her side.

Liam fixed his jacket as he walked up onto the stage and went to his mother still standing by the microphone. He took it from her hands and said, "My wife is still recovering so she cannot speak right now. The donations will be put to good use so I urge you to help the cause tonight."

"My handsome son," Adeline said, setting aside her anger since Liam was on the stage. "You should smile and take a photo with us."

Liam handed the microphone to someone else. "Don’t play these silly games with me, mother. I’m not going to stand by while you poke at my wife. Stop it."

"I don’t know what you are talking about. I thought she had a good story to share. Don’t you?" Adeline asked. She smiled as she spoke to not give away to everyone watching that there was tension.

Why now would Liam want to speak of this when the entire party was watching them?

"Not now," Adeline said as she pretended to dust something off his shoulders. "Now is not the time."

"You started this. You wanted to bring her up here so your friends could get a good laugh. I’ve lived with you for eighteen years. I know just how fucked up you are while you pretend to be this giving woman. Heed my warning," Liam said and then turned to leave the stage.

Adeline reached for his hand. He was leaving just as the photographer was coming to take a big photo. This could finally be the year where she didn’t have to avoid looking at the charity group photo with Veronica present.

Adeline stopped trying to chase him as she would only make a fool of herself. She smiled and returned to Nathan’s side.

Adeline felt someone’s burning gaze on her and knew it had to be her father not pleased that Liam wasn’t publicly supporting them. What was she to do? He liked it when she raised Liam to be someone who didn’t bow to others easily.

Liam met with Veronica at the bottom of the stage and led her toward the second exit of the party. What he said was going to open the gates for Veronica to be questioned about the details of her accident and he could count on one hand how many people cared for her rather than the news.

Veronica followed Liam quietly as he took out his phone to call someone. She could have dealt with his mother to show that she would not be walked over in this state but part of her was relieved to not have to put up a fight tonight. ’She’ll go so far as to embarrass me on the stage of a charity event.’

That was low for someone acting like they were doing the city a big favour.

"Liam," Veronica said.

"Hmm?"

"How did you end up like this when you were raised by them? I have no room to talk because of my mother but since I can’t answer how I am like this, I would like to hear about you," said Veronica.

Liam looked back at Veronica to make sure they weren’t followed. "I spent a lot of time with my paternal grandfather. He had his ways of being a scheming old man but at least he knew how to be a family man and not bring work into his home. I’ll take you to meet him soon."

"I would like that," Veronica replied, excited to meet a relative she might enjoy.

"And as for how you turned out the way you are, you told me that you weren’t around your mother a lot. You were grateful that you weren’t. It used to upset you to be compared to your mother. You are nothing like her," Liam reassured Veronica.

"Mr. Sterling!"

Veronica was distracted by a woman calling out to Liam and it wasn’t the same woman from when they first arrived.

Nora tried to keep up with Liam and Veronica. "I can bring your car around for you. The reporters are still out there. Mrs. Sterling," she offered her hand to Veronica for a greeting. How did this simple woman have the town so curious about her?

"Nora," Liam said to give Veronica the name as she looked puzzled. "Thank you but our car is always out here."

Veronica shook Nora’s hand. She had another face and name to try to remember.

Nora was surprised that Veronica shook her hand. Was this some sort of act since Liam was present?

’Her mother claims to be an actress and now she is being one?’ Nora thought. She knew that deep down Veronica didn’t like her since there was some obvious attraction between her and Liam.

"Let go of my hand," Veronica said as Nora continued to shake her hand while smiling like she thought of something good.

"Oh right," Nora released Veronica’s hand. "It’s just good to see you. The office has been worried about you. There were more gifts put together for Mrs. Sterling," she informed Liam.

’They work together?’ Veronica thought.

Since Nora ran out here to help them, was she a friend or another woman eyeing Liam? She seemed more friendly than Sabrina.

"I hope to see you visiting the office, Mrs. Sterling. I will guard the door back there so no one else can follow you. You should go quickly," Nora urged the two.

Liam continued to take Veronica through their usual escape out back where the employees entered or left to avoid dealing with the reporters outside. They always needed a getaway since these parties were a bore to them. His phone rang when they were a couple of steps away from the exit.

"What? What! Of fucking course," he cursed and changed course for another exit.

Veronica didn’t understand the sudden change. "Why aren’t we going that way?"

"Reporters are at the back," Liam revealed.