The air in the room seemed to freeze for a split second.
The group had just been laughing and chatting about industry prospects and medical trends, but now, all of that vanished into thin air.
Sebastian's dark, fathomless gaze landed on Raelynn's face before slowly dropping down to where Luke's hand was wrapped around her wrist. Behind them sat a bed completely smothered in red roses.
In that single moment, a highly inappropriate relationship between the two seemed to be broadcast to the world.
Ian, however, showed no visible reaction.
He looked as though he was witnessing something entirely mundane.
Julian immediately studied Ian's face, frowning at the man's complete lack of emotion.
Someone in the crowd muttered, "Isn't it a little inappropriate to be having a fling at an event like this? With so many people around, they really couldn't hold back..."
"A woman should have some self-respect. We're all here to discuss sacred medical research, and this is just degrading."
"So Ms. Ortiz and Mr. Sterling have that kind of relationship. Sneaking off for a private rendezvous... guess we were blind."
The whispers rippled through the gathered crowd.
It was impossible to tell who started it, or who was intentionally fanning the flames.
Listening to the chatter, Seraphina's lips curved into an imperceptible smirk.
She threw a glance at the now widely condemned Raelynn, then turned to the silent Sebastian. "Looks like they've taken their relationship to the next level."
As she spoke.
She deliberately observed Ian from a distance.
Her disdain for Raelynn only deepened.
This was the definition of losing on all fronts.
Did Raelynn really think a man like Ian Hudson would tolerate such promiscuous behavior?
Seraphina looked back at Raelynn and let out a light laugh, asking with feigned innocence, "Raelynn, did you finally accept Mr. Sterling's confession?"
That single question.
Carried a massive amount of weight.
Between Luke's public pursuit and Ian's recent public proposal, it implied Raelynn was eagerly stringing both men along.
Ian wasn't stupid; he understood exactly what she was insinuating.
In Seraphina's eyes, Raelynn was just a manipulative schemer. Marrying into the Hudson family was nothing more than a pipe dream.
Now, both Ian and Luke would see Raelynn for what she truly was.
She was about to speak.
But Luke, still gripping her wrist and completely unfazed by the crowd, announced, "The project is real, and my desire to pursue Raelynn is also real. But you don't need to overthink it. Nothing happened between us today."
Raelynn felt a surge of intense frustration.
Spoiled rich men like Luke were so used to doing whatever they wanted. He clearly hadn't spared a single thought for how this would ruin her reputation.
A flat denial would have been the best approach, but instead...
She clenched her fists. "Let go..."
"Mr. Sterling, please let go of Ms. Ortiz."
A deep, steady voice cut cleanly through the crowd.
Every single head turned.
Ian's expression remained as unreadable as a placid lake, his eyes locked solely on Luke.
His sudden intervention shifted the atmosphere in an instant.
Even Sebastian, who had been acting like an aloof bystander, slightly shifted his gaze, looking at Ian with a dark, indecipherable expression.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...