The Unfilial Daughter - Chapter 16

Below the gorgeous cascading crystal chandelier in the ballroom of the XXX hotel were countless politicians, businessmen, and socialites; men donned in tailored tuxedos while women draped in expensive gowns and exquisite jewels. The reason for the prestige gathering was no other than the twentieth anniversary of Tse International. Being one of the first Chinese companies to broaden their business into western regions, few companies were in par with their incredible success.

Among the affluent guests were Edison and his wife, attending in place of his father-in-law and brother-in-law, both of whom were occupied by other matters. Such social affairs had become a typical part of their martial life, but tonight was a night neither of them would be able to forget.

For, neither expected the surprise that was to come.

*

Dismay and disconcert ran through Edison's veins, the moment a man he recognized as a prominent figure in the political circle asked his wife for a dance and she obligatorily agreed. Outwardly, he took everything in stride but beneath his calm and collected exterior, his heart was swarming with jealousy.

An emotion that was both unwanted and despised by him. Regardless of the countless times he had reminded himself, his marriage to her was merely out of pride, to seek revenge for his humiliation, he couldn't help getting lost in her beautiful bright eyes.

Revenge.

Was that what he really sought?

Involuntarily, his eyes trailed his wife's slender figure, as it slowly grew smaller with distance. He watched as her elegant silver gown clung to her alluring curves, raising an aching desire from within.

Barely able to suppress the frustrated groan from the internal conflict that was forming, he excused himself from present company and headed off to the bar, requesting a glass of whiskey on the rocks. The burning liquid slid down his throat, but did little to submerge his uneasiness.

Placing down his glass for a refill, his eyes caught sight of his wife from a far, the soft lock of her hair gently swaying from her movement, the backless halter that left her smooth back uncovered, the bottom of her skirt fluttering from side to side displaying her creamy legs.

His eyes diverting only when the voice of his uncle rang from beside him, "if you stare any harder, you're going to burn a hole through her dress."

He immediately chuckled at his uncle's joke, trying to appear unaffected when in fact, his uncle read him like a book.

"Uncle Nick," he greeted the elder.

"Good job on bringing the stock prices back up, by the way," his uncle grinned.

For the first time that night, a genuine smile touched his normally expressionless face. For as long as he could remember, the only members of his family that ever complimented him were his uncle and sister, somehow no matter how hard he worked his parents never deemed him praise-worthy.

He was always lacking.

"Well, talk to you later, kiddo. I think I just found my next target," his uncle gave him a light slap on the shoulder before running off.

From a distance he saw his uncle heading toward a rather attractive girl with big eyes and long hair, dimples appearing when she smiled.

That was his uncle, always the Casanova.

Returning to his drink, his eyes once again landed on the mesmerizing figure of his wife.

What would it feel like to have her in his arms?

*

Social obligation had been the only reason she agreed to the dance, while her body was on the dance floor; her mind had unknowingly drifted off to thoughts of her older brother.

Worried was the only word to describe what she was feeling.

Each forced smile and each distant look she saw from him, only added to her worries. That was not the older brother she knew. Kenny was always kind-hearted and generous, his mood barely ever turned sour.

What could be bothering him enough to neglect business?

Gillian prayed that it was not his marriage.

Normally, on the receiving end of his brother's affections, this was the first time she had to worry about him. Perhaps it was time she confronted him.

The two siblings had been close since their younger years.

The loud roar of thunder had been her worse fear during her youth; she recalled the many stormy nights her brother would stay by her bedside, humming their favorite tune, as she slowly fell asleep in his presence. Then there were the miserable days just after she had learned of the company's financial problems; in his safe arms she cried and cried until there were no tears left.

He was her protector.

When the song finally ended, she forced a polite smile and got ready to depart from the dance floor when a familiar voice caught her by surprise. "May I have this dance?"

Her head lifted, meeting her husband's charming profile. The tailored tuxedo hung perfectly on his broad shoulders.

He looked even more handsome than usual under the slightly dimmed lights.

As she slowly relaxed in his arms, the scent of his previous alcoholic drink teased her nostrils, clouding her mind with memories from a few months ago when she had tucked him into bed after a night of drinking. Heat began to reach her cheeks as she recalled caressing his handsome face while he slept.

For some reason, she suddenly found herself wanting to know more about the man that was her husband. While a bond had developed at work, they were still cordial acquaintances at home.

Was their marriage merely a business deal?

Would she ever have a place in his heart?

Searching his striking features with her bright eyes, she noticed his sensuous lips had curved up into the arrogant smirk she had grown used to and his mysterious eyes were resting on her. Unexplainably, her heart began to beat rapidly, not realizing the feelings that were already beginning to develop.

*

For most of the night, he deliberately stood out of sight, not wanting to reveal his presence until the time was right. But that hadn't prevented him from noticing the married couple the moment they arrived.

Most of the room had noticed.

Everyone whispered about the arrival of the young business legend and his beautiful wife. Unspoken of, were the memories of her leaving him at the alter and running off to New York.

His lips twisted into a smirk, displaying his distaste.

Just goes to show, what money and power were able of.

His eyes trailed her each and every move.

She had been the woman that he loved most.

She had been the reason he gave up his career in New York and returned to Hong Kong.

His hand curled into a fist and tightened while his eyes turned cold with hatred as he continued to watch her.

For over two years they were together, he thought he knew everything there was about her. But apparently he had been fooled by her innocent persona; she had been no different than any other materialistic woman. Even after she had left him, he found it hard to believe that she would return to the very man she had ran away from merely for money but solid evidence was standing right before him.

His jaws tightened, gritting his teeth.

When Simon Tse approached the stage and made a small speech, gaining everyone's attention, he knew the moment he had waited for had finally come.

"..and finally, I would like to introduce our new Marketing Manager, Daniel Wu."

In long strides, he walked up to the stage and respectfully shook the hand of the CEO, all the while remembering to take a good look at two faces that were in the crowd.

Edison Chen and Gillian Chung.