Chapter 380

Chapter 380:

“Feeling a little nervous?” Noah’s voice broke the stillness, his tone light.

Sadie hesitated for a moment before nodding. “A little,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Noah’s lips quirked slightly, a reassuring smile playing at the corners. “Relax. I’m with you.”

Sadie nodded, trying to steady her racing heart. Outside the window, the city blurred into a mix of lights and shadows, but inside, her mind swirled with uncertainty.

When they arrived at Mountmend Manor, the venue’s grandeur took Sadie’s breath away. The manor was a vision of elegance, its towering facade illuminated by soft golden lights. Inside, the banquet hall was a dazzling spectacle of chandeliers, flowing gowns, and the low murmur of polished conversation. Sadie stepped inside, her arm linked with Noah’s. She could feel the weight of curious glances, some admiring and others speculative, as they made their way through the crowd.

“Mr. Wall, it’s been quite some time.” A woman in an extravagant gown greeted Noah, her smile warm but calculated.

“Indeed, Ms. Lindsay,” Noah responded politely.

Maria Lindsay turned her attention to Sadie, her gaze sharp with curiosity. “And who might this be?” she asked, her tone revealing a keen interest.

Noah looked at Sadie for a moment before answering. “This is my wife, Sadie,” he said with quiet finality, his words deliberate and calm.

The words hit Sadie like a thunderclap, leaving her momentarily frozen. Her mind went blank, and her breath caught in her throat.

My wife… The phrase echoed in Sadie’s ears, each syllable reverberating through her chest like a heavy hammer.

Maria’s smile faltered briefly, a shadow crossing her face before she quickly recovered, her expression brightening even further.

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“Ah, so this is Mrs. Wall,” she said, her voice dripping with forced sweetness. “A pleasure to meet you! Mrs. Wall, you truly have an extraordinary presence. You and Mr. Wall make quite the pair.”

The words hung in the air, and Sadie could feel the room’s attention shifting toward her. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and the guests exchanged glances, their curiosity palpable. Sadie’s grip tightened on her small clutch, her knuckles turning white as she fought to maintain her composure. She felt like a deer caught in headlights, exposed and vulnerable under the scrutiny of so many eyes.

“Mr. Wall, you’re truly fortunate to have such a beautiful wife,” a man in a tailored suit remarked as he approached, raising his glass in a toast to Noah.

Noah offered a faint smile, raising his glass in acknowledgment. “Thank you,” he replied, his tone calm and unbothered. He offered no further explanation, nor did he glance at Sadie to gauge her reaction. It was as though his earlier declaration had been nothing more than a casual remark.

For the rest of the evening, Sadie felt like a marionette, mechanically following Noah’s lead as they mingled with the guests. She forced herself to smile, her lips stretching into a gesture she hoped looked natural. But the stiffness in her shoulders and the tightening of her chest betrayed her inner disquiet. The unease gnawed at her, a constant undercurrent beneath the facade she desperately tried to maintain.

A woman, her gown sparkling in the light, leaned in with a curious glint in her eyes. “Mrs. Wall, that ring you’re wearing is simply stunning,” she remarked, her voice laced with intrigue. She reached for Sadie’s hand, drawing it closer for a better look. “Did Mr. Wall give it to you?”

Sadie instinctively wanted to pull her hand back, but the woman’s grip was firm, her fingers cold against Sadie’s skin.

“I bought it myself,” Sadie replied, her voice steady despite the discomfort.

“Really?” The woman’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Mrs. Wall, you have exquisite taste. This ring may seem simple at first glance, but there’s a unique elegance to it.”

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