Chapter 151 Chapter 151
The morning sun spread gently through the white curtains of Nathaniel’s office. He was seated at his desk, going through a few documents when his secretary, Linda, knocked softly on the door.
“Sir, you have an urgent call from the company board,” she said.
Nathaniel nodded and picked up the phone. “Yes, this is Nathaniel speaking.”
“Good morning, sir,” came the voice of Mr. Benson, one of the top executives. “I’m calling to inform you about the upcoming business retreat and partnership conference. It’s an important gathering — all major CEOs are required to attend with their partners.”
Nathaniel raised a brow. “With their partners?”
“Yes, sir. It’s part of the new image project. They want to show a strong and united family brand. The event will take place in two weeks at Royal Orchid Hotel.”
Nathaniel rubbed his chin and leaned back on his chair. “Alright, I’ll be there. Send me the details.”
“Already sent, sir.”
When the call ended, Nathaniel dropped his pen and sighed. He hadn’t attended any big business event in a while. Things had been tense lately — with Cassandra acting strange and the company struggling to recover from a few bad contracts. But this event was important. He couldn’t afford to miss it.
A knock came again, and Cassandra entered the office, dressed in a tight red dress that hugged her body. Her smile was wide, but Nathaniel could tell it was forced.
“Hey, honey,” she said sweetly, walking toward him. “You didn’t come down for breakfast.”
“I had a few things to handle,” he replied simply.
She sat on the edge of his table, playing with her necklace. “So, what’s this serious face about? You look like someone just told you the world is ending.”
Nathaniel looked at her quietly before saying, “There’s going to be a big business retreat in two weeks. It’s compulsory for company heads to attend — with their partners.”
Cassandra’s eyes brightened instantly. “Partners? You mean, like husband and wife?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed, standing up. “Finally! People will get to see us together. Everyone will know I’m the CEO’s wife. Do you know what that means, Nathaniel? Cameras, reporters, business elites!” She was already smiling from ear to ear, lost in her excitement.
Nathaniel smiled faintly. “Don’t get carried away. It’s still a business event, not a fashion show.”
“Oh please,” she laughed. “Don’t kill my joy. I need this. You’ve been hiding me for too long.”
Nathaniel frowned slightly. “I haven’t been hiding you. I just don’t like mixing my personal life with work.”
“Well, now you’ll have to,” she said quickly. “I’ll make sure to represent you well. People will see how beautiful your wife is.”
He chuckled a little. “Alright, Cassandra. I’ll trust you on that.”
She leaned down and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “You’ll see, Nathaniel. Everyone will be proud of us.”
When she left, Nathaniel leaned back again and stared at the ceiling. Cassandra’s excitement was strange — almost too much. She wasn’t talking about business, only about showing off.
He shook his head and pushed the thought away. He had work to finish.
\---
Meanwhile, in Cassandra’s room, she was already on a call with Vanessa.
“Guess what?” Cassandra said in a loud, excited tone. “The company just announced a retreat — and partners are required!”
Vanessa gasped. “Seriously? So you and Nathaniel will attend together?”
“Yes! Finally! I’ll show everyone that I’m the real woman in his life. No one will ever doubt it again.”
Vanessa laughed lightly. “That’s good, Cassie. You’ve been quiet for too long. It’s time people see your place.”
Cassandra stood before her mirror, smiling at her reflection. “I’m going to wear something that will leave their jaws open. Maybe a gold gown… something classy.”
“Just don’t overdo it,” Vanessa teased.
Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Please. This is my chance to shine. Nathaniel will finally look at me the way he used to. I just need that one night to remind him who I am.”
After the call, she walked to her closet and began flipping through her clothes. “No, not this… not that either…” she muttered. “I’ll need something new. Something that screams power.”
She smiled to herself. “This is it. My moment.”
\---
That night, Nathaniel sat in his living room with a cup of coffee, his mind wandering. The word “partners” kept replaying in his head. He had no idea who else was attending, but it would surely be big — different companies from across the country, media, reporters, and investors.
He had no clue that another man in a different part of the city had received the same message.
Adrian.
\---
At that exact moment, Adrian was seated in his own office, going through an email on his laptop. His assistant, Kelvin, stood beside him.
“Sir, the business retreat invitation just came in. It’s compulsory for all top CEOs. They said you can bring your wife.”
Adrian’s lips curved slightly as he read through the details. “Royal Orchid Hotel?”
“Yes, sir.”
He leaned back, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. “It’s been a while since I attended any corporate event. But maybe it’s time.”
Kelvin smiled. “Mrs. Savannah will love it.”
Adrian chuckled. “You’re right. She’s been asking to go somewhere fancy lately. Maybe this will make her happy.”
Kelvin nodded. “I’ll confirm your attendance then.”
Adrian gave a small nod. “Do that.”
When Kelvin left, Adrian sat quietly for a while, imagining Savannah’s reaction. She’d probably blush and smile shyly the way she always did.
He smiled to himself. “She’ll look perfect there,” he whispered.
\---
That evening, when he got home, Savannah was in the nursery, playing with Liam. Adrian leaned against the door, watching her with soft eyes.
“You’re staring again,” Savannah said without looking up.
“Can’t help it,” he said, smiling. “You look beautiful when you laugh.”
She laughed softly. “What do you want this time?”
“An answer,” he said, walking toward her. “There’s an event coming up. A big one. They said I have to attend with my wife. So… will you come with me?”
She looked up in surprise. “Me? To a business event?”
“Yes, Mrs. Adrian,” he teased. “You’re my wife, remember?”
She covered her face shyly. “Adrian, you know I’m not good at those things. Everyone will be looking at me.”
“Then they’ll see the most beautiful woman there,” he said, kissing her forehead. “You’ll be fine. I’ll be with you.”
She smiled slowly, still unsure but touched by his words. “Okay… I’ll go.”
Adrian grinned. “That’s my girl.”
He lifted Liam and tickled him until the baby laughed loudly. The sound filled the whole house, warm and full of love.
Neither of them knew that this single event would bring back a storm from Savannah’s past — one they both thought was gone forever.