Chapter 5 5

As soon as I entered the Vance family estate, I could feel the tension. This location was a stronghold of judgement, whereas Adrian's mansion was chilly and commanding. Wealth, influence, and relentless scrutiny were all over it. Victor Vance's loud voice rang out from the dining room before I had even stepped inside twice.

"The absolute minimum that I demand of you, Adrian, is punctuality."

Richard gave me a quick look while wearing a composed mask. "Papa, we're not late. As usual, you're merely early.

There was no place for pretence when Victor emerged in the doorway, towering and sharp-featured, with steel-gray hair and piercing blue eyes. In a single glance, he weighed me, evaluated me, and essentially pronounced me unworthy.

"So, this is your... wife," he replied in a sceptical tone. He made no effort to conceal it.

Despite my rumbling tummy, I mustered a kind grin. I stepped forward and extended my hand, saying, "Claire." "Mr. Vance, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Victor turned back to Adrian, his eyes narrowing slightly as he disregarded the gesture. "I had higher expectations."

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as my hand dropped to my side. Adrian's voice stayed calm even while his jaw tensed. Father, Claire is my wife. Give her the deference she merits.

Victor laughed without a sense of humour. Respect is not bestowed; it must be earned. And apart from being a handy diversion, I'm still curious to see what she has to offer.

His remarks made me wince, but Adrian's composed demeanour remained unflinching. Richard said with ease, "Let's not make this into one of your interrogations." "We're not here to talk about my personal life, but business."

Victor's icy, calculating gaze returned to me. "When your personal life jeopardises the company's reputation, everyone cares."

I resisted the want to retaliate by biting my tongue. I couldn't win this battle just yet. I looked at Richard and begged him to intervene in silence. He nodded subtly, as though to indicate, "I got this."

With a mixture of curiosity and contempt on their features, the other members of the Vance family were already seated at the dining table. Sophia, Adrian's younger sister, smirked, more indignant than friendly, as she sat back in her chair. Adrian's stepmother, Evelyn, sat next her, sipping her wine with a composed lack of interest. Richard pulled out a chair for me and sat down next to me, but no one spoke.

The only sound during the uncomfortable hush that greeted the dinner was the clinking of cutlery. I made an effort to concentrate on my food, but occasionally I felt Victor's eyes on me, watching, and waiting for me to make a mistake.

Sophia's voice was brimming with fake sweetness as she abruptly blurted, "So, Claire." "You're an artist," Richard said. How... endearing. Is it more of a passion for you, or do you earn a career from it?

The question made me angry because I knew it was an insult. I answered in a level voice, "I've had exhibitions in several galleries." "And I'm currently working on a new series."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. How aspirational. However, I think having Richard as a spouse must be a handy safety net.

"That's sufficient," Richard stated in a stern yet quiet voice.

Sophia grinned more broadly. Adrian, all I'm trying to do is get to know her. She is now a member of the family, after all. Father, isn't she?

Victor's piercing eyes remained on Richard without a quick response. "That is still up in the air."

I felt like an outsider in a room full of predators when the words struck me like a slap. Under the table, Adrian's palm lightly touched my in an attempt to reassure me. It made a small difference.

---

I waited awkwardly in the corridor after dinner while Victor cornered Richard in the study. I could hear them arguing behind the closed door, their voices quiet yet fierce.

Victor remarked, "Adrian, she's a liability." "At best, your marriage is a diversion; at worst, it's a scandal waiting to happen. Your judgement is already being questioned by the board.

Richard said in a harsh tone, "I don't care what the board thinks." "This conversation is over; Claire is my wife."

"Don't be gullible," Victor retorted. "Are you sure you can maintain this act indefinitely? People will eventually see through it, and when they do, more than just your reputation will be at stake. It will belong to the business.

With wrath simmering beneath the surface, I clinched my fists. I was more than a front. In their corporate chess game, I wasn't just a pawn. But Adrian's voice broke the silence before I could go in and say as much.

"You're wrong if you believe I'll allow you to control my personal life. Claire and I will demonstrate that we work as a team. Therefore, you can either join us or avoid us.

The door opened, and Richard emerged with a stormy look on his face. He didn't show any signs of surprise when he spotted me standing there.

His voice was tense as he said, "Let's go."

---

There was a lot of tension between us, and the ride back to the estate was quiet. I sat rigidly next to Adrian, mentally reliving the evening while he tightened his jaw and glanced out the window.

I was unable to contain myself when we got there.

"Why didn't you tell me that's how your father is?" I followed Richard into the living room and made my demand. "I wasn't ready for humiliation."

His look was impenetrable as he turned to face me. "I didn't believe it would be beneficial."

"Aid?" I gave a sour laugh. "He made it quite evident that he doesn't believe I belong, Adrian. Additionally, your sister-

His voice was stern as he interrupted, "They don't matter." "What they think doesn't change anything."

"They alter my emotions!" I fired back. "Are you even interested in that? Or am I merely a tool to help you maintain board satisfaction?

I briefly believed he might deny it as his eyes clouded. Instead, he said, "Claire, you don't realise how much I care." I'm telling you to disregard them because of this.

I started to fight, but he moved in closer and his tone grew softer. "You're more resilient than this. Keep them from winning.

His remarks caught me off guard and briefly stopped me in my tracks. However, he added, "There's something I need to show you," before I could reply.

A pile of papers were on the desk as he escorted me to his office. "What is this?" With a furrowed brow, I asked.

With a folder in his hand, he said, "Proof." "Why this marriage was required."

I opened it and looked over the pages. It was initially a haze of financial statistics and legalese, but then I saw a string of emails exchanged between Victor and another board member. The phrase "hostile takeover" caught my attention, and then I recognised the name of one of Adrian's main rivals.

"What is meant by this?" My voice trembled as I asked.

Richard remarked somberly, "It means my father isn't just questioning us." He's attempting to discredit me. And we both lose everything if he is successful.

My heart was racing as I gazed at him. This went beyond the business and the marriage. I was trapped in the centre of this war.