The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back-Chapter 74: Wrong Trust

As the last murmurs of conversation faded and the grand hall slowly emptied, Mara let out a long breath. The night had been a battle, but she had won.

Ethan stood beside her, his grip on her hand still firm, as though unwilling to let go even now. The warmth of his touch anchored her, steadying the whirlwind of emotions swirling in her chest, she stepped an inch away from him a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Well, that was dramatic."

Ethan chuckled, his dark eyes filled with something deeper than amusement, pride, admiration, and something dangerously close to longing. "You handled it like a queen."

Mara lifted an eyebrow. "Like a Shepherd." His lips twitched. "That too."

For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of the night settling between them. Ethan had seen her fight, had seen her claim her place without hesitation. And he had stood by her, unwavering, despite the whispers, despite the past.

Mara swallowed. "Ethan—" Before she could finish, a sharp movement caught her attention. From across the room, Celeb watched them, his expression thunderous. Celeb had witnessed everything.

The way Mara had shut Lucy down. The way she had taken control of the night, standing tall and unshaken. And worst of all, Ethan stood beside her, holding her hand like he belonged there.

That should have been him. Not Ethan. Not the man who had walked away from her.

Celeb’s fingers curled into a fist, his jaw tightening. He had thought there was still a chance that maybe, just maybe, Mara would come to realize that Ethan didn’t deserve her.

But then she had made it clear. She still loved her husband. The words burned. And seeing them together, victorious, made his blood boil. This wasn’t over. With one last dark look, Celeb turned on his heel and disappeared into the night.

As the last of the guests trickled out, Mara found herself face to face with Ethan’s grandfather, Mr. Anderson Sr.

The old man studied her with sharp, knowing eyes, his presence commanding even in his silence.

"You remind me of your mother," he finally said, his voice rough but steady.

Mara blinked. "You knew her?"

A small smirk touched his lips. "Knew her? I watch her grow up." Surprise flickered across Mara’s face.

Mr. Anderson Sr. sighed, adjusting his cane. "You did well tonight, child. But power attracts enemies. Be careful."

Mara nodded, taking his warning to heart.

"And as for that husband of yours..." The old man’s eyes flicked to Ethan, who was standing just a few feet away, watching them. "Don’t make it too easy for him."

Mara smirked. "Oh, I won’t."

With that, the old man chuckled and took his leave, disappearing into the night.

Once the last guest was gone, an uncomfortable silence settled in the air.

Ethan turned to Mara, but before he could say anything, he felt the weight of four pairs of eyes on him.

Steve. Stanley. Stanford. Stefan.

The Shepherd brothers.

They stood like sentinels, their presence radiating silent authority. And unlike the warmth in Mara’s gaze, their eyes were cold, unyielding.

Stanley, the CEO of Shepherd Corporation, stepped forward first. "You’ve overstayed your welcome."

Ethan clenched his jaw. He had expected this.

Steve, the eldest, folded his arms. "Just because you were invited to the party doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten what you did to her."

Stefan, usually the quiet one, delivered the final blow. "Leave."

Ethan’s hands curled into fists at his sides. He wanted to fight back, to stand his ground, but he knew better. He had no right, not yet, not after everything.

He turned to Mara. "Do you want me to go?" Stanford looks at him like he wants to beat him.

Mara hesitated for a moment. Then, with a soft sigh, she nodded. "Please Ethan, thank you for coming tonight, you should leave,"

"For tonight... sure." Ethan swallowed hard, nodding once before stepping back. His eyes lingered on her for a second longer, a silent promise. Then, without another word, he walked away. The Shepherd brothers watched him leave, making it clear, that Ethan Anderson had a long way to go before he could earn his place beside their sister again.

Mara turned slowly, her gaze settling on her brothers. She knew them well enough to predict their reactions. When it came to Ethan, they wouldn’t give in easily. They would test him, challenge him, and make him prove himself in ways only they understood. Ethan would have to work his way into their acceptance, whether he liked it or not, and perhaps she might accept him again, he cheated but perhaps she had her share of the blame.

Before any of them could speak, a voice cut through the air, rich and commanding, laced with a smooth confidence that had always unsettled her.

"Is the party over? It seems I arrived too late."

Uncle Philip.

Mara felt her stomach coil, but she kept her expression smooth as she turned to face him. He strolled toward them, the dim glow of the chandeliers catching the sharp lines of his face. He looked every bit the powerful, calculating man she knew him to be.

His lips curled into a smile, one she didn’t trust for a second. "Congratulations, baby Stefania," he said, placing a firm hand on Mara’s shoulder. "As the new head of the foundation, your first order of business is an important meeting in San Diego. First thing in the morning."

Mara’s eyes narrowed slightly. She knew Philip well. He wasted no opportunity to maneuver his way into control. If he wanted her out of town so quickly, it was because he had something planned. And she already had an idea of what that was. He wanted her out of the way. Permanently, like he did to her parent.

But not before she made him pay for his crimes.

With a soft, almost innocent smile, "That’s a great idea, Uncle," she said smoothly, tilting her head just slightly. "But actually, I’d like you to remain involved in the foundation."

Philip’s smile flickered. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, your experience is invaluable." She met his eyes, watching for any reaction. "You’ve handled things for years. I’ll be signing off as the head, of course, but I want you to continue overseeing meetings, and handling affairs, everything you used to do. All I need to do is give the authorization."

She could feel Steve and Stefan shift beside her. They didn’t like this. She knew them well enough to sense their unease, but they also knew her well enough not to interfere. Not yet.

Philip studied her carefully. His face remained composed, but she could see the flicker of irritation beneath the surface. He had expected her to fall in line, to either fight back recklessly or simply disappear on that trip. Instead, she was keeping him close, playing the perfect niece, offering him power on a silver platter.

He was a cunning man. And he knew just as she did that she was going to be a problem. If not today, then in the future.

Still, he kept his cool.

Mara smiled sweetly. "You’re family, Uncle Philip. Whatever you need me to sign, I will. No questions asked. After all, you know best."

Philip’s fingers flexed slightly at his side before he relaxed, giving her a slow nod. "Of course, Stefania."

Philip said his goodnights and walked away, his steps measured, his shoulders stiff with barely concealed irritation. Mara watched him disappear down the hall, her mind already working through the layers of deception between them. She knew him too well to believe he would simply accept her conditions without a fight. He would retaliate. The question was how soon.

Steve exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "That didn’t sit well with him," he muttered, keeping his voice low. "You saw the way he walked off? He’s not pleased about having to report to you."

Before Mara could respond, Stanley cut in smoothly. "Come on, Steve. Uncle Philip loves us. He’s always done what’s in our best interest. You’re reading too much into it."

Mara’s fingers curled slightly at her side, but she kept her expression neutral. Of course, Stanley would say that. He and Stanford had never seen their uncle’s true face. To them, Philip was family, trustworthy, dependable, even admirable. She wished she could let them keep believing that, but the truth was far uglier. And the last thing she wanted was for her brothers to be caught in the middle of this war.

With a soft smile, she turned to them. "I only took over the foundation for Grandpa’s sake," she said, her voice light, almost casual. "You know how much he built it up. How much it meant to him and Mum." She let out a small laugh. "Honestly, you both know my heart is in the courtroom. I love being a lawyer, arguing cases, fighting for justice. Sitting in an office, traveling around the world for business meetings? Not exactly my dream."

Stanley and Stanford exchanged glances, and Mara knew she had said exactly what they needed to hear.

"I’ll talk to Uncle Philip," she added. "Make sure he understands he has nothing to worry about."

Stanford’s face softened into a smile. He stepped forward, wrapping her in a warm hug. "That’s my baby sis," he murmured. "You always do what’s right. I love you."

Mara hugged him back, feeling the steady reassurance of his embrace. When he pulled away, Stanley stepped up, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders before pulling her into a tight hug of his own.

"I’m proud of you, Stef," he said, his voice steady. "Really proud."

For a fleeting moment, she felt something strange, an odd undercurrent in the way he held her. It wasn’t hesitation, but something close to it. As if there was something left unsaid. But she pushed the thought aside, chalking it up to exhaustion.

As Stanley and Stanford stepped back, they exchanged a knowing look. Then, without a word, they turned toward the door.

Steve frowned. "Where are you two going?"

Stanley smirked, throwing a glance over his shoulder. "To put a smile on someone’s face."

And with that, he strode out, Stanford following close behind.