The Ruthless CEO's Revenge Wife-Chapter 221: The Yatch Party: Part 4

"Dominic," Logan greeted flatly, voice low and even. "I didn’t know you were on the guest list."

Tyler’s pale eyes flickered, amusement dancing darkly there. "Your father invited me. Said it would be... Enlightening to meet the man who married the incomparable Jean Adams."

Logan’s chest tightened, rage humming low under his ribs, barely contained. He could read the real message in Tyler’s gaze... Look how easily I can get close to her. Even here.

Tyler turned to Jean, his smile sharpening. "Jean, it’s been too long. Won’t you even look at me?"

Jean didn’t move. Her eyes were on her feet.

But taking a deep breath, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze ice cool. "I’m afraid I’ll have to decline," she said softly. "I don’t like touching what I don’t trust."

A flicker of something vicious crossed Tyler’s eyes... it came there and left too soon.

Logan felt pride stir in his chest, mixing with anger and something fiercely protective.

"Was there something you wanted?" Logan asked, voice dangerously calm.

Tyler’s gaze slid back to him, still wearing that polite smile. "Only to offer my congratulations. I’ll be around tonight... If either of you feel like talking business. Which, I know one of you will."

Logan’s stare didn’t waver. "We won’t."

Tyler’s smile thinned. But without another word, he inclined his head and stepped back into the swirling crowd.

As the shadows swallowed him, Logan’s hand tightened at Jean’s waist.

"Are you alright?" He murmured against her hair, voice rough.

Jean let out a shaky breath she’d been holding. "As long as you’re here," she whispered back.

And Logan vowed silently, fiercely... Whatever Tyler Dominic planned, he would never let it reach her.

__________________________

The moment Tyler slipped away, Logan felt the muscle in his jaw still twitching with anger. His arm stayed securely around Jean’s waist, grounding them both until he saw his father, Jared Kingsley, approaching with Martha beside him.

"Logan," Jared began, voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "I just saw you speaking with Tyler Dominic. Did you two know each other?"

The question sent a sharp pulse of fury through Logan’s chest.

"Why did you invite him, Dad?" His voice dropped lower, barely controlled.

Jared blinked, surprised by his son’s tone. "What do you mean? He offered a very interesting business proposal. It could open doors we’ve never had before... that’s why I invited him."

Logan’s hand clenched at his side. He opened his mouth, ready to argue; to tell Jared exactly who Tyler Dominic really was behind the polite mask. He just wants Jean. Even if she’s married to me. He doesn’t stop challenging him. Why is he doing that?

But then he felt Jean’s fingers gently wrap around his wrist.

She shook her head once, a silent plea in her eyes. Not here. Not now. Logan swallowed hard, forcing the words back. The last thing she’d want was a public scene. And the last thing he wanted was to see her distressed in front of these people.

Jared, still puzzled, turned his gaze to Jean... studying her quietly, as if noticing something in her expression.

"Jean," he said at last, offering her his arm. "Come with me a moment."

Jean hesitated, glancing up at Logan, but Jared’s gaze was kind, almost as a caring father. After a brief pause, she placed her hand gently on his arm. She didn’t hesitate anymore to accept his hand.

As they walked away into the open space at the centre of the deck, Logan stepped closer to Martha, tension still etched into his shoulders.

"Mom... what’s he doing?" Logan asked, suspicion tightening his voice.

Martha smiled faintly, a spark of fondness in her eyes. "Don’t worry so much, Logan," she said, patting his arm. "Your father is about to make an announcement."

Logan’s brow furrowed. "What announcement?"

But Martha only lifted her chin toward the small circle forming around Jared and Jean, her eyes warm with quiet pride.

"Watch." She whispered. "And see."

__________________________

Jean felt Jared’s steady arm under her hand as he led her gently to the center of the deck. The crowd of guests shifted, curious murmurs rising like the soft rustle of silk.

She could feel Logan’s eyes on her back, warm and protective and a hint of confusion too. What is he doing? She thought, heart beginning to thud louder in her chest.

Jared turned toward the gathered guests, his voice calm yet resonant enough to cut through the music and laughter.

"Everyone," he began, his gaze sweeping across familiar faces, pausing only briefly on Logan, then returning to Jean with quiet gravity. "Tonight isn’t just about celebrating the success of Kingsley Corporation... it’s about acknowledging someone who, in a very short time, has proven herself to be more than worthy of carrying our name."

Jean felt her breath catch.

Jared’s next words landed like a stone in still water. "From this moment on, I wish to formally announce that Jean Kingsley... my daughter in law will now become a part of Kingsley Corporation. Officially and legally."

Soft gasps rippled through the guests, a few smiles of surprise, and several sharp, jealous glances.

Jean froze, her pulse roaring in her ears.

"And," Jared continued, voice unwavering, "she will be entrusted with 15% of Kingsley Corporation’s shares... effective immediately."

The applause that followed felt distant to Jean, muffled by her rising panic. Fifteen percent? That was enough to make her one of the top stakeholders.

What am I supposed to do with this? When the contract marriage will end... What would happen? Would she be forced to give it back? Would it cause scandal?

Her eyes instinctively flew to Logan.

Logan, standing beside Martha and Hannah, looked just as startled. His brow furrowed slightly, lips parting as if to speak but the words didn’t come. Even he hadn’t expected this.

Jared smiled at Jean, kind and fatherly, completely misreading the terror blooming behind her careful expression. He gestured to a staff member, who stepped forward, carrying a dark leather folder.

Inside, the prepared contract.

"Jean," Jared said warmly, offering her the pen, "I know this might come as a surprise, but you’ve already proven to me and to everyone that you’re a Kingsley. Please... sign this. Make it official. In front of the whole world."

Jean’s fingers trembled as she took the pen.

What should I do? she thought desperately, her gaze darting back to Logan, silently begging for help.

She didn’t want this. She never planned to stay. And yet, refusing Jared now, in front of everyone... Would humiliate him. Would cause gossip. Would stain Logan’s family’s name.

The music had gone softer, the eyes of every guest fixed on her. Waiting for her to seal the deal.

Logan’s face was unreadable but his eyes never left hers, silently telling her. I’m here.

___________________________

Her fingers hovered over the dotted line, the pen trembling slightly in her grip. Just as the tip touched the paper, a strange ripple moved through the crowd. Jean looked up as the air shifted eerily. What’s going on?

A chime rang. Then another. And then dozens more. Guests shifted, glancing at their phones as their eyes widening. Gasps. A few stifled laughs. Some whispers are too quick and vicious to catch.

Jean blinked, the pen freezing mid stroke. She looked up at Jared, who was frowning, confused. "What’s going on? Why is everyone looking at their phone?" He murmured, turning to look at the restless crowd.

A prickling dread crawled over Jean’s skin. The way everyone was looking at her, it didn’t feel right.

_________________________

The same alert flashed across Logan’s phone. He barely had to look before his chest turned to ice.

A photo.

Jean... asleep, bare shoulders tangled in sheets. Beside her laid Tyler Dominic, he was shirtless too, his same smug expression on his face, staring straight into the camera as if branding her. The angle made it look as though they’d just finished... doing everything.

Rage builds inside him. Blinding his vision with anger, savage rage burned in Logan’s veins.

But his eyes shot up immediately, searching the crowd. Jean still stood there, staring in confusion as people’s stares sharpened, pity mixed with glee.

"Jean..." Logan hissed, moving towards her. Without another thought, he pushed past a cluster of guests, ignoring their whispers, his heart hammering so loud it drowned out everything else.

Jean turned toward him, her lips parting to ask what happened. But he didn’t wait for her to talk. Logan didn’t need to answer now.

He grabbed her wrist... gently, but firmly enough that she knew something was wrong and pulled her away from the center of the deck, ignoring Jared’s startled question.

"Logan, what...?" Jean began, but his face stopped her. The storm in his eyes.

"Come with me Jean. Now," he ordered, voice low, raw with something she couldn’t name.

Guests parted around them, some openly staring, some pretending not to see. Martha’s worried voice echoed behind them. Jared called after them, but Logan didn’t look back.

They slipped through a side door, into the narrow corridor that led toward the lower deck... it was empty, hushed, lit only by soft golden sconces.

Logan stopped.

He turned to Jean, jaw clenched so tight it looked painful. His hand shook as he held out his phone, forcing himself to show her the screen.

"Jean," he rasped, voice hoarse, "look at this."