The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 81

14:28 Mon, May 4

Chapter 81

Chapter 81

The charity gala was already in full swing when Jade arrived.

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Crystal chandeliers cast warm light across the grand ballroom, and the quiet humn of conversations mixed with soft music drifting from the orchestra at the far end of the hall. Bellair City’s most influential figures filled the room-business owners, investors, politicians, and socialites.

Jade adjusted the elegant gown she had chosen at the last minute and stepped inside, trying to steady her

nerves.

She had barely taken a few steps into the hall when a hand suddenly wrapped gently around her wrist.

Before she could react, she was pulled toward a quieter corner beside one of the tall marble pillars.

“Simon-?” she whispered in shock.

Simon stood in front of her, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that made him look effortlessly refined.

“Good,” he said smoothly. “You came.”

Jade frowned slightly.

“What are you doing-”

But before she could finish, Simon gently guided her forward.

“Margaret,” he said.

Jade looked up and froze.

Margaret was standing just a few steps away, speaking with a group of investors. The moment she saw them approach, her attention shifted immediately.

Simon placed a hand lightly on Jade’s back.

“Let me introduce you,” he said calmly.

Jade suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.

“This is Jade,” Simon continued. “My fiancée.”

Jade’s eyes widened in shock.

Fiancée?

She turned sharply toward him, but Simon looked completely composed.

Margaret observed Jade carefully, her gaze sharp and evaluating.

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Chapter 81

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For a long moment, she said nothing.

Then she slowly nodded.

A look of approval-and something like satisfaction-appeared in her eyes.

“Good.” Margaret said calmly.

Jade blinked in confusion.

Margaret stepped closer and gently touched Jade’s arm.

“Finally,” she said softly, “your parents will be at peace, dear.”

Before Jade could even process what that meant, Margaret had already turned away.

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“I must greet the other investors,” she said smoothly before walking off toward another group across the ballroom.

Jade stood frozen.

The moment Margaret disappeared into the crowd, she turned sharply toward Simon.

“Why are you introducing me as your fiancée?” she demanded under her breath.

Simon looked down at her with an amused expression.

“Why not?” he said casually. “We already slept together.”

Jade’s face instantly turned red.

She quickly slapped her hand over his mouth and looked around nervously to make sure no one heard.

“Are you crazy?” she whispered. “Don’t say that out loud!”

Simon’s eyes sparkled with quiet amusement.

Jade lowered her hand, clearly flustered.

“It was a moment of weakness,” she muttered defensively. “Okay?”

Simon chuckled softly.

“Or perhaps,” he said teasingly, leaning slightly closer, “you weren’t satisfied.”

Jade glared at him.

“Stop it,” she snapped.

Simon only smiled wider.

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Chapter 81

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Teasing Jade, it seemed, was becoming one of his favorite pastimes.

The news broke the very next morning.

Across Bellair City, headlines flashed across phones, newspapers, and social media.

“Top Lawyer Simon Announces Marriage.”

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Photos from the charity gala spread quickly-Simon standing beside Jade with effortless confidence, his arm lightly around her waist as cameras captured the moment.

The announcement stirred the entire elite circle of the city.

Simon had always been known as the most elusive bachelor in Bellair City. Many women had tried to get close to him, yet none had ever succeeded.

And now, suddenly, he was getting married.

The story quickly overshadowed the quieter rumors circulating about Damon and Lila’s divorce. What had once been whispered gossip faded almost overnight as the city became fascinated with Simon’s unexpected

engagement.

But Jade did not share the city’s excitement.

That evening, before she could even question what was happening, Simon had already appeared at her office and pulled her along once again.

“Where are we going?” Jade asked nervously as the car drove through the tall gates of a massive estate.

Simon glanced at her with a calm smile.

“Dinner.”

Jade’s stomach tightened.

When the car finally stopped, Jade stared up at the enormous mansion in front of her.

The Blackthorne Estate.

Her heart dropped.

“You didn’t say whose dinner,” she said slowly.

Simon simply stepped out of the car.

Inside, the estate was grand and elegant, filled with warm lights and quiet conversations. Members of the Blackthorne family and a few close associates were already gathered.

Jade felt like she had stepped straight into a lion’s den.

She had barely taken a few steps inside when she saw someone approaching her.

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Chapter 81

Lila.

Jade immediately stiffened.

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She felt a rush of guilt remembering the court hearing she had missed

But instead of anger, Lila greeted her with a gentle smile.

“Congratulations,” Lila said warmly.

Jade blinked in surprise.

“Thank you,” she replied awkwardly.

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Her nerves were obvious. She hadn’t been able to face Lila since the court incident, and now here they were meeting again in the middle of the Blackthorne family estate.

Before Jade could say anything more, another voice cut into the conversation.

“Well,” Damon said calmly from nearby, “I guess Attorney Jade won’t be representing you anymore.”

Jade slowly turned to face him.

Damon Blackthorne stood near the fireplace, holding a glass of wine. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp gaze was fixed directly on her.

Instead of shrinking under it, Jade lifted her chin slightly.

“What makes you say that, Mr. Blackthorne?” she asked evenly.

Her voice carried a firmness Damon hadn’t expected.

Jade knew very well what kind of man he was. Lila had shown her the evidence-the messages, the photos, the proof of his mistress.

Damon seemed slightly surprised by her boldness.

His eyes shifted briefly toward Lila.

Then he chuckled softly.

“It seems my lovely wife has shared something with you,” he said smoothly.

Jade didn’t respond.

“It wasn’t anything serious,” Damon continued lightly. “Just a misunderstanding between husband and wife.”

Lila’s expression turned cold.

“If you don’t want to meet me again in court,” she said sharply, “then you better sign the divorce papers,

Damon.”

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Chapter 81

Her voice carried no warmth at all.

She stared straight at him, her gaze unwavering

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For a moment, the tension between them seemed to freeze the entire room.

And everyone close enough could feel it.

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After the dinner at the Blackthorne estate, Simon and Damon found themselves alone in the quiet of the garden. The night air was cool, and the soft glow of lanterns cast long shadows across the manicured lawns

Damon leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass, and let out a low laugh. “I have to admit, Simon… I thought your little stunt with the trial was just a joke,” he said, shaking his head. “Delaying the hearing, and now announcing that you’re getting married… I can’t quite figure out what game you’re playing.”

Simon met his gaze calmly, the corners of his lips hinting at a smile. “It’s no game. The marriage is real.” he said simply, his confidence unshakable.

Damon studied him for a long moment, trying to read the man who had somehow taken control of a situation even he hadn’t fully anticipated.

Later, Simon drove Jade back to her apartment. The city lights passed by in quiet streaks, and the tension of the evening lingered between them. Once inside, the closeness that had begun at the gala seemed to follow them. They found themselves together again, the night stretching in quiet, tender intimacy.

Hours later, as the early morning light filtered through her curtains, Jade turned to Simon, curiosity finally breaking through her exhaustion.

“What exactly is your connection to the Blackthornes?” she asked, still catching her breath. “How were you invited to a family dinner?”

Simon’s face rested against her chest, and he looked up at her slowly, his tone calm yet teasing. “I’m Margaret’s nephew,” he said.

Jade’s eyes went wide. “Wait… you mean you’re from the Lee family? The family that dominates the justice system?” she asked, sitting up, still trying to wrap her mind around the implications.

“Yes,” Simon said, his lips brushing against her shoulder as he spoke, planting a kiss with each word, sending shivers through her. “The Lees-lawyers, judges… a family built on power and influence.”

Jade stared at him, both overwhelmed and intrigued by the man she was slowly discovering she might belong to, in more ways than one.

Simon’s eyes darkened with quiet authority, his voice lowering with a commanding softness. “And if you’ve forgotten, Jade… I’m Simon Lee. I never lose in court. So if Lila’s case comes your way, you might want to think carefully. It’s not worth it. And I don’t intend to fight with my wife.”

Jade’s heart skipped, the weight of his words-and his closeness-leaving her both nervous and exhilarated. Simon had a way of taking control that was irresistible, a reminder that being with him wasn’t just a matter of desire-it was also about power, strategy, and trust.

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