Chapter 17

Chapter 17 I’m Your Sponsor

‘Gwyneth? Could it be that all of my efforts were misguided?‘ Liam pondered with mixed emotions as he returned to the venue after hanging up the phone.

As the music ended, Gwyneth’s fingertips slid off the piano keys. Though she had not wanted to take the stage, every moment spent immersed in the music had been a pleasure. As thunderous applause erupted from the audience, a smile graced the corner of her lips. She rose and bowed gracefully at a ninety–degree angle to the audience. As she straightened, her eyes met Liam’s in the guest seats. Her smile shifted ever so slightly, and her brow raised with a hint of provocation.

‘Now the stage can be returned to the contestants.” Seeing the host nodding hastily, Gwyneth chuckled and stepped down, ignoring Judy

entirely.

Two hours later, the competition results were announced, and Judy lost. The outcome was not too difficult to explain; it was merely a matter of skill. But what was more serious was Judy’s behavior of publicly challenging a judge as a contestant, which shocked the audience. The men who had once flocked around her backstage now clamored for Gwyneth’s autograph.

‘Gwyneth, you were simply enchanting just now!”

“Gwyneth, I hope we can collaborate more in the future.”

“Gwyneth, if you would just look…”

Gwyneth responded to them all, her cheeks sore from the forced smiles, and finally, she sent them on their way. As she was about to

leave, she suddenly heard Liam’s voice.

“It is getting late. Would you like to join me for dinner?”

Gwyneth hesitated momentarily, then walked away as if she had not heard him. Liam could not help but laugh. No other woman on the planet would dare treat him this way. But through their recent interactions, he had to admit that she had every right to be proud. As

Gwyneth brushed past him, Liam swiftly grabbed her wrist.

“Mr. Luther, I’m in the middle of my job right now. Please give me a good reason to go with you,” Gwyneth said, suppressing her irritation,

attempting to break free from his grip but lacking the strength.

“As the main sponsor of this competition, may I invite you–as a judge–to join me for a casual meal?”

‘I would rather tear you apart than dine with you,’ Gwyneth thought, gritting her teeth without concealment. Yet Liam continued to smile

softly, denying her the chance to unleash her anger.

Seeing Gwyneth remain silent, he feigned a sigh and pulled her close. “If my status as a sponsor isn’t good enough, then I’ll have to resort to my role as your husband.”

“Stop, stop, stop!” Gwyneth had not expected Liam to be so glib. Covering her ears, she let him lead her away.

At the restaurant, within the private dining room, Gwyneth surveyed the table laden with dishes and picked up her cutlery.

“I thought you weren’t interested.”

“I’m not interested in you, but I’m interested in this food.” Without even lifting her head, Gwyneth swallowed a piece of sashimi and continued. “Besides, going hungry because of you wouldn’t be worth it.”

Liam picked up the glass beside him and took a sip. Under the warm, golden light, he looked at Gwyneth’s face, and a ripple of emotion. stirred in him.

Ten minutes later, Gwyneth set down her cutlery, contentedly wiped her mouth, and stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“To the restroom, Mr. Luther. Are you interested?” Gwyneth walked out of the private room without waiting for Liam to speak.

‘Ten minutes is probably the limit of my patience. Such exquisite cuisine, yet its taste is greatly diminished when paired with the person sitting across from me. If I don’t make a break for it now, when will I? Following the exil signs, Gwyneth chuckled to herself.