Wealth Without Him Rising from Betrayal (Grace Wilson) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Grace’s POV

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I held my ground, perched on the seat that didn’t belong to me. Seconds stretched into what felt like minutes as the event manager hovered anxiously behind me, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper.

“Ms. Wilson, please… This seat is reserved exclusively for Mr. Morgan. The Morgan family has been the primary patron of this charity for fifteen years. You’re creating an… uncomfortable situation.”

I traced the rim of my water glass with one finger, not bothering to turn around. “Then find me my proper place card. I represent Wilson Holdings, and I’m not being relegated to the back of the room.”

Samantha leaned closer, her voice pitched low enough for nearby tables but loud enough for me to hear clearly.

“Cinderella put on her glass slippers, but that doesn’t change the fact she’s an imposter. When Mr. Morgan arrives, you’ll be humiliated.”

My fingertips pressed harder against the crystal glass. I’d spent two years being pushed around by the Harrisons. I wouldn’t start my new life by letting the Davidsons do the same.

“Sir, 1 addressed the manager without looking at him, my voice carrying just enough to reach nearby tables, “I currently represent Wilson Holdings Group. In this room, the Wilson family doesn’t need to give up seats to anyone, unless you intend to insult billions of dollars in capital.”

His face blanched. Good. Money talks.

“Since seating seems to be an issue,” I continued, shifting from defense to offense, add another chair-but not for me.”

The manager’s mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. Samantha’s eyes widened in disbelief.

A sudden hush fell over the ballroom. The grand double doors swung open and a phalanx of security personnel in dark suits filed in, followed by several assistants with tablets and phones. The energy in the room shifted instantly-spines straightened, voices quieted, as if royalty had arrived.

Alex strode in like he owned not just the room but the entire building. His midnight blue tuxedo seemed custom-made for his tall frame, and his presence carried a gravitational force that drew every eye in the room.

He scanned the room with laser-focused eyes until his gaze landed on me. The manager stepped forward, clearly ready to apologize profusely, but Alex raised one hand, stopping him mid-motion.

The room went deathly silent. This was the moment Samantha had been waiting for-my public humiliation.

Alex approached slowly, his expression unreadable. When he reached the ble, he studied me with those piercing blue eyes that seemed to dissect my very thoughts.

“Mr. Morgan, I deeply apologize for this… situation,” the manager stammered. “We’ll have her removed immediately-

“That won’t be necessary,” Alex cut him off, his voice deep and measured. He turned to a nearby waiter. Add another chair. Right here.”

The waiter blinked in confusion.

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Chapter 19

“Now,” Alex added, with quiet authority that spurred the waiter into immediate action.

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The entire room watched in stunned silence as a chair was brought and placed beside me. Alex settled into it with casual grace, adjusting his

cuffs. “Fait accompli is often the most interesting arrangement, he said, just loud enough for nearby tables to hear. “Since Ms. Wilson has

warmed the place for me, we’ll leave things as they are.”

I kept my face neutral, but inside my mind raced. He hadn’t just avoided confronting me-he’d essentially elevated my status by treating me as an equal. The whispers around the room intensified.

“I trust the seating arrangement is settled?” Alex addressed the manager, ho nodded frantically and retreated.

Across the table, I could practically feel Samantha’s glare burning into me She’d expected to witness my downfall but instead had to watch the

situation dramatically backfire.

As servers brought the first course, I remained tense, hyperaware of the powerful man beside me. I didn’t touch my food, instead watching him

from the corner of my eye, trying to understand his intentions.

“Not hungry?” Alex asked, expertly cutting his steak.

I shook my head. “What made you suddenly attend this gala event?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Flew five hours on a private jet from Starport to be here. Heard there was an impressive speech.”

My stomach tightened. He’d seen my speech? Was he in the audience? No, he’d just arrived. Perhaps one of his staff had been streaming it live?

Before I could respond, Samantha Davidson appeared at our table, champagne flute in hand. “Mr. Morgan,” she said with a practiced smile, “it’s

such an honor to meet you. I must say, everyone’s quite surprised by your”

Alex didn’t even glance in her direction. It was as if she were completely invisible to him. Instead, he turned more fully toward me, cutting her

off mid-sentence.

“There’s an opening dance at the after-party. Would you care to join me?” he asked, his attention focused solely on me.

The dismissal was so absolute that several people nearby actually winced. Samantha stood frozen, champagne glass trembling slightly in her

hand.

‘I haven’t danced formally in a while,” I admitted.

One corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. “Follow my lead. I’ll teach you.”

Samantha’s face flushed deep red. Without another word, she retreated, humiliation radiating from her rigid posture.

“See you then,” I smiled and stood to leave.

“You were brilliant today,” Sophia said as we walked back to my hotel suit “That should silence some of the gossip. I’m sorry I wasn’t there

during the seating disaster.”

“Don’t worry,” I assured her, kicking off my heels the moment we entered the room. “I handled it fine. Your behind-the-scenes support has been

enough, and your friend helped defuse some awkward moments too.”

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Chapter 19

“Friend? Sophia looked genuinely confused.

“Oliver, I explained, watching her reaction carefully.

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“Oh, him.” She suddenly became intensely interested in adjusting her bra vett. “The bars this principles about right and wrong. Not particularly a

friend.”

Her discomfort told me there was definitely more to that story, but I decided not to press. Everyone was entitled to their secrets.

“Anyway,” Sophia continued, obviously eager to change the subject, Alexaking a special tips from this event makes sense. He rarely attends

these functions unless there’s something- -or someone-of particular interst

“You think he came for me?” The possibility had been circling in my mind all evening.

“It certainly looks that way. It’s very promising for our families potential alliance. Her eyes sparted with excitement. Td say your marriage

arrangement is practically a done deal now.”

I sank into the hotel’s luxurious couch, carefully keeping my expression neutral. “Maybe. But attraction is unpredictable.”

“True, but business advantages are much more reliable,” she replied pragmatically.

I nodded, though internally I was cautioning myself not to get swept awa Alex might be incredibly attractive and seemingly interested in me.

but my painful lesson from Richard was that mixing business with emotions was dangerous territory. This potential marriage was a business

arrangement-nothing more-and I wouldn’t make the mistake of confusing it with genuine feelings again.

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