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Chapter_81
Sadie could feel the eyes of the crowd on her as she walked through the grand hall with Micah, his presence so commanding that it was impossible to ignore. The way they all regarded her—respectful, even awe-struck—was both flattering and disorienting. She felt like an imposter, unsure if she belonged in this world of wealth and status.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the hushed whispers from the crowd, and then, she heard a familiar voice. Kathleen’s voice.
“Am I seeing things? Isn’t that Sadie by Mr. Clemens’ side?” Kathleen’s disbelief was clear, and Sadie could almost hear the surprise and irritation in her words.
She froze for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. Kathleen was here? Of course, she was. This was a high-profile event, and someone like Kathleen wouldn’t miss it for the world. Sadie’s gaze instinctively flicked over the room, and sure enough, she spotted Kathleen, her eyes wide with shock. Beside her, Leah seemed just as confused, trying to confirm what she had seen.
Sadie’s breath caught in her throat. She tried to remain composed, but she could feel Kathleen’s gaze burning into her back. She knew that whatever reputation she had left—if she even had one—would be questioned the moment Kathleen spoke. And Micah… he would surely notice, just as he always did.
Kathleen quickly hushed Leah, the gesture so quick and frantic that it only heightened Sadie’s sense of unease. She didn’t know what Kathleen had planned, but the fact that she was so clearly agitated only confirmed that something was wrong.
“Don’t you dare say anything,” Kathleen warned in a low tone, her voice laced with urgency.
Sadie’s heart pounded. She had no idea how to handle this. How was she supposed to keep up the appearance of this perfect world Micah had put her in when Kathleen was here, possibly ready to tear everything down?
Micah, sensing her tension, didn’t seem to react to the murmurs in the crowd. Instead, he kept walking with that same composed demeanor, guiding her further into the hall. His hand remained firmly at the crook of her arm, steadying her as they walked toward the center of the room, where a few well-dressed men and women awaited.
As they neared their destination, Sadie noticed the stark contrast in how the crowd treated her compared to the other women. They watched her like she was a rare piece of art, admiring her with expressions of intrigue and curiosity. Sadie couldn’t help but feel a strange mixture of pride and discomfort.
“Is she really with Mr. Clemens?” someone whispered near her.
“Yes,” another person replied in awe. “She’s his… companion tonight.”
Sadie’s pulse quickened. They hadn’t seen anything yet. Tonight, the truth could come crashing down at any moment. She couldn’t hide in this fantasy world forever.
Micah’s sharp gaze cut through the room, commanding the attention of everyone around him as they approached the main group. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was an unmistakable air of power about him that commanded respect from everyone he interacted with.
As they reached the group, Sadie couldn’t avoid the moment of eye contact with Kathleen. For a split second, their gazes locked—Sadie, holding her breath, and Kathleen, who looked like she was trying to suppress an explosive reaction.
The tension in the air was palpable. Sadie’s hands trembled slightly, but she kept her composure. No matter what Kathleen said, she couldn’t let it derail everything Micah had set up for her.
Micah finally spoke, his voice calm and authoritative. “Good evening,” he greeted the group, his gaze sweeping over them before resting briefly on Sadie, whose heart still raced. “This is Miss Roth. She’ll be accompanying me for the evening.”
The formality of his tone, his assertiveness, and the way he presented her—like a crown jewel—only amplified her discomfort. Sadie didn’t know how long she could keep up this act, or how long it would be before someone uncovered the truth.
“Miss Roth,” a man in a tuxedo greeted, bowing his head slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Sadie smiled politely, trying to mask the storm of emotions swirling inside her. “The pleasure is mine,” she replied, though it felt like a lie.
Micah stood beside her, his presence both an anchor and a reminder that this world wasn’t hers. As the night stretched on, Sadie could feel the weight of the evening pressing in on her—her past, her secrets, and the carefully crafted persona she was trying to maintain.
What would happen when the night came to an end? Would Micah let her go, or would the truths she was trying to keep buried begin to surface, bringing everything crashing down?
