Braelyn’s POV
We walked toward the conference room. I followed, still processing everything, from the coffee to Lucien’s text to Raphael’s unreadable face.
The door slid open and we entered the room. I imdiately felt sothing weird about the room, but I couldn’t point my finger at what it was. Raphael walked up to the head of the table, and my eyes trailed behind him before they swept across the room.
The mont I acknowledged the presence, the pieces arranged themselves like a puzzle snapping into place.
My steps faltered. Of course, they would be here, it was the only logical reason Raphael, who was very cautious about business deals, would agree to share the risks. ..
A smile naturally graced my lips masking my true feelings. Seated across the table dressed from head to toe with limited luxury items. She was calm, poised, like she belonged here, carrying the air of elegance everyone spoke about. It was the mistress, or would I say the true lover, Alia.
And beside her, with his arm stretched lazily across the back of her chair, like he owned the room, was her father. He nodded at Raphael before he took his seat, carrying the sa air as his daughter.
"It’s an honour working with you Mr Volkov," Mr Sinclair chid before his gaze drifted to . His smile widened.
"This must be the lovely Mrs Volkov, it is also an honour eting you." He gave his hand. I reluctantly accepted the handshake.
I wondered how he felt eting the woman standing in his daughter’s way.
"The honour is mine." Lies, but the world of business was a battle of lies. His grip tightened, and I t his eyes to see sothing flicker in them that made wary.
"You do look like your mother." He comnted leaving stunned. He knew my mother. My lips parted to question him, but by the ti I got over the shock, Mr Sinclair had already taken his seat.
His expression was unreadable, while Alia’s gaze lingered. She sensed sothing.
The door was pushed open and a small group ca in. "Good morning everyone," a man leading the group greeted. From his accent, I could imdiately tell they were foreign investors.
They were dressed in tailored suits. Raphael called this a minor project. I could already guess it wasn’t that minor. It might not be considered a grand Volkov Apex corporation, but this, without doubt, was an important deal.
I quickly took my seat by Raphael’s side and the eting proceeded. I had my best smile the entire ti, since the project fell under my departnt, I was put in charge of it.
I didn’t understand why Raphael would want to be involved in Alia’s project. A part of was curious to see what the genius Alia was capable of, the other part was wary.
Did they have so hidden agenda? If this project fails, the responsibility might be shifted to . I couldn’t help but think of the worst-case scenario, but the smile on Raphael’s face made it hard to read his thoughts.
Alia stood in front and gave her pitch, not far from expectations. Her pitch was perfectly presented. I tried to find flaws, but it was a thorough plan. If she has co up with sothing like this then she was truly the genius as claid.
A sour feeling tightened in my chest. Maybe it was jealousy but I didn’t like the way she led the room with confidence. The whispers which lingered around in the past resurfaced in my mind.
She was a perfect match for Raphael. She ca from a more respectable family than I did, and yet he had chosen to accept Gregor’s wishes to marry .
In the past, I thought he had truly loved . For years, under his tender gaze and care, I believed that, but at this point, I didn’t know what to believe anymore.
"With this approach, we have a better chance of success." She said at the end of her presentation. The entire room was filled with approving smiles.
"That was an excellent pitch, Miss Sinclair." One of the big shots praised
"I don’t see any reason why we should delay any further. That was very impressive, Miss Sinclair." The team leader gave the approval.
Raphael nodded with an admiring smile on his face. "We only work with the best. Rest assured your project is in good hands." Raphael chirped in.
"I guess Miss Sinclair would be put in charge of the project managent." The team leader ntioned that it was natural since it was her idea. I didn’t think there was anyone more capable..I almost scoffed at myself.
"Miss Sinclair will be in charge of the corporation, while Mrs Volkov will be assisting. I won’t be personally involved." I choked on my spit and almost shot Raphael a glare.
So that was their plan all along. I could not protest here in front of the investors. "Mrs Volkov...is she your in-law or?" The team leader seed surprised for a mont. He glanced at my hand which didn’t have a wedding ring on it. That’s when I noticed Raphael was wearing his.
Raphael forced a smile. "Braelyn is capable and has worked on several projects even more complex. She is my wife and not my in-law." The man seed taken aback for a mont.
"Please accept my apologies. I thought you and Miss Sinclair were engaged. I was greatly mistaken." His apology was frantic. They didn’t want to offend soone of Raphael’s status.
Raphael’s expression remained stoic. "You should be apologising to her and not ." He corrected. My lips pursed, confused by his reaction, after all, wasn’t Alia his ’ beloved.’
The team leader turned to to apologise, "Mrs Volkov..." I shook him off..
"It’s fine. It will be an honour working with you." My smile seed to have eased the mont. Mr Sinclair gave out a half-hearted laugh.
"There is no need to be so grim. It is fine to say we are done for today." He laughed. Raphael’s face finally eased up.
"Let’s call it a day here." He said as he slowly rose bringing the eting to a close. Everyone followed suit after him.
"I am glad we chose to work with you, Mr Volkov. We are looking forward to the results. ." The leader of the other team shook hands with Raphael as the eting drew to an end.
"It’s a pleasure, if you can excuse ." Raphael walked out of the hall followed by so of the investors and the Sinclairs. I stayed behind gathering my stuff.
The team leader approached with a soft smile. "I’m Dominic Voss. Sorry about earlier, I didn’t an any harm," I glanced up at him. He held out his hand which I accepted.
He seed like a gentleman staying behind to apologise again. "It’s fine. This is the first ti we are eting."
His gaze softened. "You are truly kind Mrs Volkov." A chuckle rang, the spark in my eyes was contagious.
I didn’t know if I was kind. "Thank you. I will take that as a complint." Dominic Strode with to the door. He stepped out first and gave a last look before reluctantly lingering in his gaze.
"If you don’t mind asking. How long have you and Mr Volkov been married? I’m just curious."
The question ca out a bit unexpectedly. My fingers twitched, but the smile remained unfazed. "We will be celebrating our 5th anniversary soon."
"Congratulations." That was his last word before he left.
A breath that has been stuck in for ages finally escaped. I started making my way towards my office a bit lost in my thoughts.
I felt a grip on my wrist. My stomach churned and before I could react. I was pulled into a room the door slamd shut behind then a broad-shouldered man shadowed
Raphael slamd his hand above my head. I flinched, banging my head on the door. "What is going on?" I gasped stunned by the cold look in his eyes
.
"Why didn’t you wear your wedding ring?"
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