Chapter 139 You are stealing the spotlight

Chapter 139 You are stealing the spotlight
Karen smiled, grateful for his care, but saw it as unnecessary. “Don’t worry, Wade, I have more friends than enemies.”

Delanie interrupted, looking disappointed. “I’ve noticed how you keep looking at her. Do you like her or something?”

Wade was hurt. “How can you even think that? She can’t be compared to you, but after all that your brother has done for us, the least I can do is to protect his wife.”

Confusion reigned. Karen and Delanie thought Pearl to be harmless. She was a sweet soul with curly short black hair that gave her the look of a doll, so why was Wade insisting otherwise?

“And why not anyone? Why do you have a problem with Pearl?” Karen asked. Wade sighed frustratedly.

“Look, I’ve owned and worked in the club for years, and I’ve met more women than you can ever count in your life. I know a bad one when I see it.”

His analysis made sense, so Karen began to tread with caution. Delanie felt apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Wade took her hand and led her to the cake tasting. This was the most expensive wedding planning company, hosting events for prominent figures from politicians to celebrities.

Molly had always used their services and therefore highly recommended them to handle her daughter’s wedding. Excitedly, Delanie tasted the cake samples and shook her head.

“Declan should help with this. He’s so good at it. With my hormones, I can’t even taste properly.” Wade didn’t like sweets like cakes so it was a hopeless situation.

Feeling saddened that he couldn’t help her carry the pregnancy, Wade wanted a way to comfort her but could not help noticing how the mention of Declan caused the color to drain from Gracie’s face.

There were even beads of sweat on her forehead because of it. He began to wonder what was happening with the wedding planner and her assistant.

As if that was not enough, Gracie asked a question that confirmed his suspicion, “Is Declan going to be here?”

Delanie nodded. “He should be.” An awkward smile contoured Gracie’s face as she forced a smile. “I just remembered. There is something urgent I need to take care of, but my assistant would take very good care of you.”

This time around, Delanie noticed the shift in her countenance and supported Wade when he said seriously, “Look, if you aren’t serious about handling this event, I might just inform your boss to get us a replacement.”

Gracie paused, shivering slightly. The Dawsons were their biggest clients so if a report like this went against her, she could get fired for it.

“Sorry, we can finish up. Pearl would take care of the wine tasting, and we can proceed to other things.”

Luckily, Roger arrived, so Wade did not have to worry anymore about Karen. As usual, he was as close to her as a moth to a flame.

Pearl’s expression changed dramatically at the sight of Roger, and she quickly moved away.

Determined to find out what she was up to before, Wade called her. “Pearl, can you show us to the wine tasting? We don’t have all day.”

Pearl’s teeth gritted together before she suddenly forced a smile. “Sure, this way.”

“We’ll tag along,” Roger said, kissing Karen on the lips.

“Gosh, you are stealing the spotlight,” Delanie’s teeth gritted together as she complained. Roger and Karen were so shameless, kissing everywhere and when she mentioned it thinking they would take a hint, they rather found it amusing.

There were varieties of wine, complimenting the wine-loving couple, Wade and Delanie. “We want twenty different varieties to be served, but a pregnant woman can’t take alcohol, so I’ll have to rely on you, Wade.”

A nod from Wade confirmed his acceptance of the challenge. Even if Delanie wasn’t pregnant, tasting over twenty varieties of wine could make her drunk. In this situation, his capacity was bigger.

“You got the best man for the job, Lani. I got you.” It felt strange to call her Lani and not Therese, but Wade knew he would get used to it with time.

“You should have waited for Declan to get here,” Delanie challenged him, but Wade shook his head. “Even if he does, he can never beat me at my game.”

They chatted happily as Wade tasted five different expensive wines. “All good. Let me taste that one,” he pointed at one at the far end, but instantly, Pearl’s face beaded with sweat.

“It wasn’t supposed to be here. I’ll have it changed. She picked up the glass of wine, but her boss, Gracie, stopped her. “What do you mean by that? I carefully poured out every wine, and they are all good to go.”

Taking the wine from Pearl, she gave it to Wade. “Mr. Thomas, this is one of my favorites. Please tell me what you think about it.”

As Wade lifted the wine to his lips, a strange but familiar scent hit his nostrils, causing a frown to form on his face.

“This wine smells funny.”

“Excuse me?” Gracie asked, taking the wine from Wade. But as she lifted it to her mouth, she smelled something oddly faint. One could easily ignore it, but somehow, Wade was making a great deal out of it. “I’ll just have it changed.”

“No,” Wade stopped her. “I want to know why it has been spiked. Mind you, your assistant here was trying to coax Karen into tasting the wine. What if she drank it?”

The information caused Roger’s expression to darken instantly. Anything concerning his family was a big matter. "I want to know who spiked the drink," he coldly requested, Gracie was speechless, but Pearl was trying to make a quick exit when she bumped into someone.

“Sorry,” she murmured, but Wade blocked her path, pulling her a little roughly. “You know something about this. Why don’t you start talking?”

“What’s going on?” Declan asked, just as he caught sight of a familiar face. “Gracie?”