Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 54: Battle Royale [1]

Chapter 54: Battle Royale [1]

This event was like a Battle Royale, a survival of the fittest type of thing.

I already felt anxious about the bidders, but just before entering the venue, Oliver informed us that both Lara and Nicholas would be attending and were already inside.

Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of nervous jitters, so I’ve learned how not to show them externally. After all, looking extremely nervous would just inspire my competitors. So, I’m doing the same thing now.

But I guess what worked better was how Lucian looked so chill about the event, as if this wasn’t something that he had to prepare for.

Granted, he really wouldn’t have had to do anything had it not been for that bombshell that I dropped on the company a while back.

"They’re going to want to pry, then they’ll try to offend, especially since they’ve finally found an opening. But just ignore them." Lucian warned me a while back.

It was true. Sinclair Construction Corp. had been spotless for a long time, so they’ll grab onto the first chance they can get.

I remembered this conversation as we sauntered through the red carpet. This was an unveiling, not an awards ceremony, but the organizers clearly felt differently, so so be it.

I pumped myself up in the car because Lucian would rather eat glass than do that. I prepared my face to smile just enough, but trying to match Lucian’s stoic face was much more challenging, admittedly.

"Lucian, how sticky?" I forgot about this crucial point because I have been so absorbed in learning about the attendees these past few days.

"Like glue." He said, barely looking over.

"Are you sure?" I was skeptical because I’d look like some desperate wife if this bastard didn’t match my energy. And won’t that look bad instead?

"Yes. With your contribution to the investigation, they would want to infer about our relationship. If our relationship were weak, then it would be good for them. But if our relationship were good, it would indicate a mutually beneficial relationship for Sinclair Construction and Foundation Tools."

He’s right. To interested parties, our marriage was more than just two people getting together; it actually meant closer ties for a construction company and a hardware store mogul. An annoying partnership for our competitors.

"Fine. But you better act the part. I’m not about to look like the second coming of your fans out there."

"Worry about yourself." He said as he swooped into my neck, planting a kiss on that area connecting to my ear.

"Hey!"

__

So here I was, strutting next to my suddenly devoted husband, walking with a subtle hickey on my neck.

I wanted to send glares over his way, but I was performing my besotted wife act today, so instead, I held on to his arm.

Let’s focus on his mind-dumbing appearance to at least compensate for being wronged today.

And he really was like that. He’s imposing, and standing so close to him like this, I could feel how he radiated strength and confidence, like some personification of power. And he looked the part, too.

I was obviously not the only one thinking that way because the number of shutters going off while we were walking clearly tripled compared to the first ones who walked through.

Anybody with at least a working eye would have to agree that Lucian was one hell of an eye candy. And if he didn’t open his mouth to speak, his face alone could cleanse even the strongest of bad jujus.

And most of these people wouldn’t even get past that. The face alone would be good enough for them because Lucian didn’t exactly walk around naked to be ogled by the world. But I have that perk, so his entire bearing felt a bit different.

He always reminded me to pick a problem, and he was clear as he picked ’personality.’ Because he really did manage to get everything else working for him.

I kept a polite smile as we got to the door. He kept pace with my heels-laden feet, which was both a good and bad thing for me.

The attendees looked at each other with a questioning look. I guess Lucian had never attended events with a partner, which I learned when we picked out matching clothes for today. If even the stylists were surprised, then I guess these people’s reactions were well within reason.

But he’s married now. So, did they really expect him to come alone or with someone else?

The air smelled of anticipation, with women suddenly straightening their clothes and switching their postures. While the men seemed to watch out for who would approach first.

Thankfully, our first encounter was with Idris. I’ve recently learned that their firm had a major hand in the design of Windham. It wasn’t him per se, but his father who worked on the project.

"I see you made it here." Idris patted Lucian’s back as he also greeted me.

"Nice to see you again, Mrs. Sinclair." I shook the hand that he offered. Feeling much better about encountering someone familiar first.

"You really should just call me Eliana or Eli. You make me sound so old when you call me Mrs. Sinclair." It did sound like they were calling to Aunt Serena after all.

Idris chuckled and said, "If you say so, Eliana."

Idris grabbed a drink from the passing waiter, and Lucian did the same, grabbing one for me as well.

"Pretty sure you have an idea about today’s favorite conversation piece?"

"As if there would be anything new."

"The people of JG haven’t come out yet, so you’ve been the crowd favorite."

Just as he was saying that a relatively older man in a similarly crisp suit walked in with a much younger female in tow.

I guess he didn’t care much about our conversation because he just waltzed in without care.

"Mr. Sinclair! Fancy seeing you here today! We thought you wouldn’t bother coming again!" He said, laughing heartily.

Bulldozing through our peace was Mr. Sanders, Chairman of Sanders Construction Inc., with his daughter Jessica in tow.

The file I received briefly described these people, who were among the remaining three bidders who reached the final bidding stage.

Oliver mentioned how tenacious Mr. Sanders was in pursuing the Sinclair group’s projects, but Oliver also hinted at another problem.

It wasn’t just the father who was interested in the group. There was also this daughter that was interested in the man.

My man.

Lucian, this bloody human, did not really inform me about these "minor inconveniences." He most likely didn’t care enough to notice, or maybe because he rarely even attended.

She was the only daughter, the de facto heiress of the entire Sanders Construction Empire. The problem wasn’t her gender. The problem was that Jessica had absolutely no interest in construction. She was a cellist.

Oliver noticed how strongly Mr. Sanders kept on insisting that Lucian meet his prized Jessica. The guy needed an heir to run the actual company, and Lucian would have been perfect for that.

Jessica also seemed to think so because she couldn’t help but blush just by seeing Lucian. Her face getting close to the color of her dress. She was pretty and dainty, a good match for her profession.

She even tucked her hair behind her ear as her father suddenly exclaimed,

"Oh no! Where are my manners, Mr. Ainsworth? It’s good to have you back here! And my, is this lady here the elusive Mrs. Sinclair?" He feigned a look of pleasant surprise as he "remembered," more like forcefully acknowledged our existence.

"Mr. Sanders," Lucian shook the hand that the older man offered before replying.

"Chairman Sanders, this is my wife, Eliana Sinclair."

"So this beautiful lady really is her. I’ve heard a lot about you!" He extended his hand, and I shook it similarly.

Jessica prepared to be introduced next, but she waited in vain as Lucian didn’t bother to continue with the introductions.

He instead wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer as Mr. Sanders started his tirade after properly greeting Idris this time.

"Who would’ve thought that this young man would show up to an event with a wife to boot? You should’ve told us so we could at least send our congratulations!" Mr. Sanders looked like he was chastising the younger generation, but really he just wanted to point out our abrupt and unannounced marriage.

"I was really surprised! After all, I thought you and Jessica had a good thing going!" He looked wistfully at his daughter, who suddenly had to force a smile upon being called out.

I maintained my polite and relaxed bearing even as Jessica decided to chime in.

"Now, Dad, don’t say that, especially in front of Mrs. Sinclair. She might misunderstand you!" She jokingly tapped her father, who just laughed at her.

It’s cute how she tried to sow discord by implying a relationship with Lucian.

"Ah. So you’re Jessica." Lucian suddenly said as I felt him tilt his head to the side of my head.

Oh, Lord. He’s starting again.