The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Cynthia’s POV

The night had unfolded into a blur of laughter, music, and glittering champagne flutes clinking, but my mind wasn’t on any of it. Until the spotlight shifted toward the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the host, Gaby Vincent announced, his voice ringing through the hall, “please welcome Mr. Ethan Walker, CEO of Walker Industries, one of our valued investors, to share a few words on his company’s recent milestone, The Bennett Wine Project.”

Kevin glanced at me from the corner of his eye, reading the tension immediately. “Do you want to leave?” he murmured under

his breath.

“No,” I whispered, forcing a small, brittle smile. “I’ll be fine.”

Kevin studied me for a second longer before nodding, though his arm stayed close behind me.

Ethan climbed the stage with the ease of a man born to command attention. The audience clapped and cheered; the music faded into a soft hush. The spotlight fell on him, illuminating that calm, composed face that had once been the center of my world.

He looked effortlessly powerful in his black suit with his tie perfectly aligned and his moves deliberate. When he began speaking, he sounded so confident, resonating through the speakers with that same persuasive warmth that could make investors bend and people believe.

“Thank you all for being here tonight,” he began. “It’s been a remarkable year for the Vincent Wine Industries, and I couldn’t be prouder of what the team has achieved…”

–

The words flowed smoothly at first gratitude, partnership, expansion like this. But slowly, I noticed his eyes weren’t moving from me.

–

all the usual corporate talk that came with events

I felt it before I even met his gaze, I felt that prickling awareness along my skin, when I finally looked up, his eyes were fixed, unwavering, cutting straight through the sea of faces between us.

It was the intensity in his stare… was it guilt? Anger? Confusion? Regret?

Whatever it was, it made me shift uncomfortably in my seat, gripping the hem of my gown like it was a lifeline,

Kevin must have noticed because his arm came up and rested lightly around my shoulders, casual to anyone else’s eyes, but I could feel the intent behind it. He knew Ethan was watching.

He leaned closer, his breath brushing my ear. “Ignore him. He’s doing it on purpose.

“Kevin.” I started, but my voice faltered when I looked back at the stage.

Ethan had stopped speaking mid–sentence.

The room, oblivious to the strange tension balding between us, walted expectantly for him to continue, but he didn’t. He just stood there, holding the microphone, eyes locked on the two of us like he was seeing something be codchy’t quite accept

I caught the exact second Anna’s champagne glass froze halfway to her lips. Her eyes followed Ethan’s are straight to the styl she noticed Kevin’s arin draped casually around my shoulders.

She shot me a glare so venomous it could’ve curdled the champagne in my hand, and then she snapped her on stage, watching him stand there like a lovesick tool, mid–senteng and the whole thing is breath,

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Suddenly, Anna started clapping with a bright, fake smile plastered on her face as she notes at Ethan he he biggest trying to drag his attention back to her.

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“Come on, Ethan,” she mouthed, clapping harder. A few confused guests near her followed suit… hesitant and awkwardly, like they weren’t sure what they were applauding but didn’t want to be left out.

It was only a moment, maybe two minutes at most, but it stretched painfully long.

“Is he okay?” someone murmured near the front table.

Finally, he cleared his throat, the microphone catching the faint waver in his voice.

“Thank you,” he said, smiling at Anna like she was his biggest supporter.

That made my stomach twist a little, but none of that should matter to me, I am over them.

“…as I was saying,” he continued, the words clipped now, less composed. “None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication of our partners and the trust of everyone in this room.”

Kevin smirked faintly, the corner of his mouth lifting as he gave Ethan’s direction a pointed glance. “Guess I hit a nerve,” he murmured under his breath.

I shot him a glare. “Kevin, I’m not going to join you in any event again”

He smirked and leaned back lazily in his seat, his arm still around me, exuding the kind of confident ease that could drive a man like Ethan crazy. For a second, I actually thought Ethan might step off the stage and come toward us.

His eyes had darkened as though he was trying to restrain something and just as suddenly as it started, he broke eye contact. He turned slightly, directing his words toward the board members at the front table. “To our partners overseas, thank you for trusting us with this new venture.”

The applause that followed seemed to snap him out of whatever spell had taken hold. He forced a smile, nodded curtly, and wrapped up his speech. “Enjoy the evening, everyone. Here’s to more success and partnerships ahead.”

Anna was on her feet immediately, clapping with exaggerated enthusiasm, her smile wide and supportive as Ethan descended the stage. She positioned herself near the steps, waiting for him like the dutiful woman who’d always been there. When he finally reached her, she touched his arm gently, “You were wonderful,” she said, squeezing his arm.

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