The Devil CEO's Contract Wife-Chapter 281: Erasing The Nasty Rumors

[Music: The Hills x Midnight City By TommyMuzzic]

We got out of the car, and the flashes flickered rapidly, the noise almost deafening. I had already given the order for the media to be cut down. They couldn’t ask their questions because they were barricaded further away from the red carpet. A good distance that allowed a massive space in the center.

Esme stood between us, holding onto our hands tightly as we walked towards the building.

A smile captured my lips when I saw how Esme was awed by everything. Despite seeing her peers hanging around, she stuck close, feeding her gaze as much as she wanted, mostly entranced by the massive chandelier hanging at the center of the main hall.

Eyes travelled to us, muttering amongst themselves, attention fixated on Esme. A handful of them were in shock, while some of them weren’t, mostly those who followed the rumors of an illegitimate child.

But seeing my wife and daughter at my side, there would be no reason for any talks, because we have made it official.

We were welcomed by the host of the charity event, who mostly gave their appreciation for my generous donations. A few others came forward to greet us; most I had done business with. I didn’t acknowledge them, but Catherine did, responding politely.

"She attends the same school as my daughter, and I had no idea."

"That’s nice! Esme, do you know her?" Catherine asked.

Esme nodded, waving at the woman’s daughter, who waved right back.

"We’re in the same class."

"Aww, she’s so cute."

"Thank you."

"Daddy, can I stay with Chloe? A few of my friends are over there, too," Esme asked me.

"Of course, angel."

Esme smiled brightly as she took her friend’s hand and they walked to where the other kids were, a tower of treats spread out on the table.

My eyes moved to the crowd, spotting a few of my men, and with a terse nod, they comprehended my message.

"So far so good..." Catherine said to me the moment we were alone. "We don’t have to worry about any harmful rumors. They are surprisingly welcoming." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"I wouldn’t count on that..."

"What?" She asked. "You have the entire place guarded."

I flickered my eyes to her. "You know?"

"It’s very easy to spot your men and know there are at least twenty."

"Twenty are for Esme, the rest for us..." I replied casually as I seized a champagne from the passing waiter.

"That’s too much!" She whispered. "Lemme guess, Nico is leading them."

"Nico has his hands full."

She blinked. "Then who?"

With a nudge of my head, one of my men came to us. He halted, hands clamped in front.

"Scott Wells, Mrs. King." He introduced.

"H-Hi..."

With a curt nod, he went back to his position.

"He’s..." Catherine trailed, trying to find the best word.

"Gay."

She flashed her eyes at me. "Okay? But that’s not what I was going for."

"He’s your new bodyguard."

Catherine blinked, releasing her arm from mine. "I don’t need a bodyguard."

"I’m gonna be busy, baby. I need someone to watch you while I’m away."

"You can watch me all you want. You have your fucking cameras... Besides, I enjoy staying at the penthouse more than going out."

"I have known Scott for a long time before Nico, and they were the first."

"The first... what?"

"The first to stand by me. Scott handled my business in New York. I had to pull him out."

I needed them closer now, especially at this time.

"You shouldn’t have done that..." Catherine said sternly. "I don’t need a bodyguard." That particular word was filled with so much disdain, I knew her mind drifted to Reed.

I had expected her to ask me about him ever since we left for Rosevale, but she hadn’t. I wondered where this sudden loathing came from.

"Ares..."

I threw a look over my shoulder and found Agatha.

"I expected you would be here..." she said with a smile on her lips, bringing Adrian forward, who ran to hug me like he usually does each time he sets his eyes on me.

He took a step back, grinning ear to ear.

"Hello, Adrian..."

Catherine’s voice pulled me out of it. She leaned down to him, cupping his face tenderly. "Do you remember me?"

Adrian frowned. "Yes...?"

Agatha suddenly pulled him back, hands on his shoulder to keep him still.

"Catherine..." She voiced.

"Agatha... It’s been so long."

"Five years... I was hoping we wouldn’t have to see each other again."

"Why? Were you thinking I would be gone for a lifetime?"

She forced a smile before looking at me, her mismatched eyes staring into my soul as if she could see everything.

"I knew Ares would find a way to bring you back. He’s attached. That side of him is rare, but when he does, he never lets go."

My hand at the small of Catherine’s back twitched, the nerves in my body making me grow agitated.

"Yes, you’re right..." Catherine replied, and I was compelled to look at her, finding out she had her eyes on me the entire time.

"That’s one thing I love about him..."

She veered her gaze back to Agatha, her expression hard as stone, and I could barely recognize her. "But some attachments can be... severed... to make room for more."

Agatha scoffed at her words.

"Shall we, honey? We can’t keep Esme waiting for long. She loves her daddy too much."

Catherine slipped her arm into mine and led us away.

The rest of the evening, I’m silent. As the bidding went on, Catherine took the liberty of raising the paddle whenever she wished to.

Esme had her own share of fun, too, having no idea she was bidding on the larger options. I don’t mind. She can raise her tiny paddle as much as she wants.

I forced my hand to rest on Catherine’s thigh, exposed to my view; it was the most movement I had made ever since encountering Agatha.

My thumb stroking against her flesh, feeling her beneath my fingertips, made me more grounded, erasing the uneasiness.