She Rejected the Heir, I Married Him Chapter 05

She Rejected the Heir, I Married Him Chapter 05

There was a stunned pause on the other end of the line.

“Julian Mercer?”

“Yes.”

Julian walked to the window and looked out over the lawn.

“My wife doesn’t need to prove her competence to you.”

“As for that Crescent Properties project…”

He gave a quiet laugh.

“If I remember correctly, it belongs to a Mercer Capital subsidiary.”

“Whose negligence did you want her to admit to?”

The line went dead silent.

Nathaniel probably couldn’t understand how Julian knew so much, let alone that Crescent’s project belonged to the Mercer family.

“What are you saying?” Nathaniel’s voice sounded dry.

“Exactly what you heard.” Julian’s tone remained even.

“Crescent Properties will freeze its contracts with Whitmore Design Group immediately.

Independent engineers will review every version of the plans.”

“You can’t erase the server logs. The report will identify who altered the fire-safety specifications

and who tried to force someone to sign a false statement.”

“Have you lost your mind, Julian? You’d gamble with your family’s project?”

Nathaniel was furious.

“You can’t even save yourself, you useless bastard. What makes you think you can protect her?”

Julian hung up without answering.

He tossed the phone onto the table and turned to me.

“Don’t answer calls like that again.”

“Mrs. Mercer doesn’t sign false admissions of negligence for anyone.”

Three days later, I arrived at the Alderhaven Waterfront Convention Center.

Crescent Properties was hosting a dinner for bidders on the project’s second phase.

It was the city’s biggest business event of the year, drawing nearly every powerful figure in society.

Julian’s assistant had brought me. I wore a custom-made dark green gown with no unnecessary

jewelry.

I stood in the glittering room, surrounded by perfume and evening gowns.

“Clara?”

A shrill voice came from behind me.

I turned.

Vivian approached on Nathaniel’s arm in a conspicuous red evening gown.

Jealousy flashed in her eyes when she saw me, then vanished.

“What are you doing here?”

She looked me over.

“This is an invitation-only business dinner. You can’t even get through the door without one.”

“Did that wastrel Julian Mercer rent you for the night to make himself look respectable?”

Nathaniel frowned at me.

“Don’t embarrass yourself, Clara.”

“The Mercer family owes everyone money. For all you know, he brought you here to trade you to some investor for funding.”

He moved closer and lowered his voice.

“It’s not too late to admit you were wrong.”

“Come back with me. I’m still trying to salvage the Crescent project.”

His self-righteous expression was almost funny.

“Do you really think the whole world revolves around you, Nathaniel?”

“Watch your tone.”

His face hardened.

“I’m trying to help you. Don’t throw it back in my face.”

“Help me?” I laughed coldly.

“By making me take the blame for Vivian’s professional negligence?”

Vivian tugged at his sleeve, looking wounded. “Leave her alone, Nathaniel.”

“If she wants to go down with a loser like Julian, let her.”

“Once the real power behind the investors gets here, security will throw the freeloaders out.”

The lights dimmed before her words had finished ringing out.

A spotlight fell on the curved staircase leading down from the second floor.

Crescent Properties’ CEO stood at the microphone.

“Good evening, everyone.”

“Tonight, we have the honor of welcoming Crescent Properties’ controlling shareholder and the

man who truly leads Mercer Capital.”

“Mr. Julian Mercer.”

The room went so quiet I could have heard a pin drop.

No one seemed to believe what they’d heard.

Julian Mercer?

The uneducated, wasteful playboy heir?

Vivian’s smile froze.

Nathaniel went still.

The spotlight shifted.

Julian descended the stairs in an impeccably tailored black suit.

cold authority radiated from him.

There was nothing lazy or careless about him now.

Powerful guests lowered their heads in greeting as he passed.

“Mr. Mercer.”

“Mr. Mercer.”

He acknowledged them with a slight nod, his gaze cutting through the crowd and settling on me

As everyone watched in disbelief, he walked straight to me, stopped, and held out his hand.

“Have you been waiting long?”

His low voice carried the faintest warmth.

I looked at his hand, then placed mine in it.

“No.”

Holding my hand, he turned to face Nathaniel and Vivian. Both had gone pale.

“Mr. Whitmore.”

Julian sounded indifferent.

“Did I hear you say I intended to give my wife to another man?”

Cold sweat beaded on Nathaniel’s forehead.

His lips moved, but no sound came out.

“A misunderstanding… Mr. Mercer, this is all a misunderstanding.”

Vivian staggered back two steps, nearly turning her ankle in her heels.

“That’s impossible. How could you be…”

“How could I be what?”

Julian looked at her.

“I was supposed to be worthless. Not good enough for a society darling like you?”

“The Pembrokes have excellent judgment. They sent me a remarkable wife.”