Chapter 5

“Your wife? How come I didn't know about it?”

Father asked with a raised brow, breaking the silence. The last thing I wanted was to get scolded in the presence of everyone.

“Father, I wouldn't have enjoyed these beautiful surprised faces from everyone if you had known about it, I simply wanted to surprise you all, especially those who thought I couldn't get married” I smiled, directing my gaze to Mr Williams.

“Indeed” Mr Williams scoffed, getting everyone's attention.

“We are not fooled by your antics Mr White Junior, where is the evidence? And this could be a contract between you two just to get past the requirements. If you got married the right way, we would have been informed and we would have attended your wedding, especially your family. But it's obvious this is a sham and we are not fooled.”

A part of me wanted to punch him in the face, but I knew that would be confirming his negative words about me.

I gave a wry smile and responded, “What makes you think I wanted a big wedding Mr Williams? When I was away from the country, you had so much time to hire someone to monitor my movements and take pictures of me everywhere I went, I intentionally gave you what you wanted to see. Are you worried you couldn't get an idea about this before it happened?”

“Wh-wh-what are you talking about?” He stammered

I sat up and looked across the room, making sure I had everyone's attention. I had my suspicions about the pictures littering the media, and I had wondered who was following me around, Mr Williams reaction to my statement gave him away.

“I'll leave that to you, Mr Williams”, I replied and smiled.

“Ahem”, Mr Bell, one of the top investors, cleared his throat and asked, “Shall we go into the next thing? Since Mr White junior is married, which was the requirement given to him before becoming the acting CEO, I think we should move to the important things.”

There were some nods and murmurings from other board members as they exchanged glances.

Mr Williams who seemed to have regained his voice spoke up, “Even at that, Mr White junior is still a child and —”

“And nothing, Mr Williams”, Venus cut in, attracting shocked expressions from everyone. I wasn't expecting her to speak either.

“How about you exert this energy you use in attacking my husband to focus more on being happy? And he is not your child, so you will not address him as one, you are going to accord him some respect because this is a formal setting and not a family gathering, Mr Wi-lliams,” she dragged, looking annoyed.

Even though I told her not to speak, I was glad she did. Despite not raising her voice, she sounded bold and domineering. I held her hand beneath the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.

There were murmurings again. I glanced at Father, and there was a smile that vanished almost immediately, making it hard to read his expression.

“Uh, gentlemen, I think it will be okay to have this meeting on a date that will be communicated to us all via email; that way, we will be prepared for the next phase of appointing the acting CEO”, Father spoke. I knew he had questions to ask me.

*******

*Venus POV*

I sighed in relief as I stepped into Earl's office. I was glad his father ended the meeting to ease the tension because I was getting pissed by the judgemental and degrading looks I was getting from some of the men.

“But why would some set of people be clamouring for a position of a man who has a son that can succeed him?” I wondered as I walked around the huge office.

I thought of Earl and how he held my hand after I spoke. I hope he wasn't mad at me for going against his rule, I just couldn't sit still and watch that blabbermouth of a man keep talking.

Earl had asked me to wait for him in his office while he met with his father. I wished I could hear their conversation.

The door creaked open and I turned only to see Maria walking towards me with a smirk on her face. “Not again” I muttered and sighed.

“I can see you are beginning to parade yourself as Mr White's wife, you are just a gold-digging cheap slut who will soon be trashed and put in her place.”

“Okay, is that all you have to say?” I asked sarcastically, taking advantage of my height to look down on her.

“Mr White will never settle for someone like you! You are not in his class” she blurted between clenched teeth.

“But he already did darling” I smiled mockingly. “You see, no matter what you tell yourself, Maria, he chose me over you. And even if he paid me to do it, it's because I am worth it, he would have used you for free because you ain't worth it”

“That's a lie! He will divorce you and get married to me! I will make sure of it”

“Be my guest, you will be having my leftovers. If you will excuse me.”

I walked past her and headed for the door, I needed to use the restroom and clear my head. Fighting over a man was never my thing and I wasn't planning to start now. Why would Earl let his crazy obsessed P.A know we had a fake wedding?

“Hello young Mrs White”

I heard a voice behind me as I got close to the convenience, the voice sounded familiar. I paused and turned, and there was Mr Williams with a smirk on his face.

“Are you stalking me?” I asked as I looked around to see if anyone was close by but the hallway was silent.

“Why should I? I was just walking by and I saw you, and then I remembered we have an unfinished business”

“Really?” I asked, folding my hands across my chest with my brow raised. “And what business do we have Mr Williams? Are you here to call me your daughter?”

“Oh dear, I love your boldness. That must be why Earl chose you for the job” he laughed confidently, dipping his right hand into his pocket.

“I don't know what you are talking about, and I will appreciate you stop stalking me because I need to use the restroom” I turned to walk away.

“I know he paid you to pretend to be his wife, Earl will never get married to someone like you who has no class.”

“Oh really? Well, sad news for you, Mr Williams, he got married to me, and I don't care what you think about that or what idea you have in your head.”

“How much were you paid to pretend to be his wife? Tell me and I will double it for you. I already made my findings about you, Venus Lawrence.”

I felt my throat go dry as he mentioned my name, he really searched me up in less than an hour? What more could he do?

“And what if I refuse to answer your questions, Mr Williams?”

“Uhmm” he scoffed. “I will dig up dirt about you and make sure you and your family live in regret of the decision. You don't want to mess with me, Miss Venus Lawrence. So tell me, how much were you paid?”