Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Offering a Seat
At that moment, everyone in the suite turned to stare at them in astonishment.
Tristan Grayson had never been seen with a woman at any public event in Tridell. In fact, there had long been rumors that he and Aiden Avery were a couple.
Even when news broke a few days ago that Tristan Grayson had married a mysterious woman and was retiring from show business for her, they hadn’t believed it. After all, they knew better than anyone that nine times out of ten, celebrity gossip was fake.
But now, seeing Tristan Grayson arrive with a woman, they couldn’t help but wonder if the recent news might actually be true.
Blocked from entering by Tristan and his companion, Cassian Jennings asked with an awkward expression, "Why aren’t you guys going in?"
At his words, Tristan Grayson’s gaze left the woman’s face. His expression hardened as he put his arm around her and walked inside.
Seeing Tristan approach, everyone quickly stood up to offer their seats.
"Tristan, take this seat."
"Yes, yes, Tristan, sit here."
...
For a moment, the suite was filled with the sound of people offering up their seats, and the atmosphere grew much more tense.
Tristan Grayson didn’t stand on ceremony. He simply guided Mika Summers to the very center of the sofa and sat down beside her.
He looked up at Cassian Jennings, who was standing a short distance away, and raised an eyebrow, signaling for him to speak.
’It wasn’t that Cassian didn’t understand what Tristan meant. It was just... how could these people possibly want Tristan to be here? They probably wished he’d stay as far away as possible.’
So, he awkwardly rubbed his nose and tried to play it off, announcing to everyone, "Alright, everyone, sit down! Let me make an introduction. This beautiful lady here is our Young Master Grayson’s wife! She’s also our new sister-in-law, so let’s give her a warm welcome!"
"Nice to meet you!"
"Welcome!"
...Even though they were all afraid of Tristan Grayson, they were also desperate to get closer to him. So, after hearing what Cassian said, they all greeted Mika Summers.
Mika was so intimidated by their enthusiasm that she broke out in a cold sweat. She was terrified that any second, Tristan would shove her away and tell everyone that there was nothing between them.
So, with a pained look on her face, she just forced a smile that looked worse than crying. She neither offered an explanation nor did she nod to accept the title of "sister-in-law."
In contrast to the group’s effusive welcome, there was one woman in the room who showed no such enthusiastic deference.
That woman was Gia Miller. Ever since Tristan Grayson had appeared, Gia had been sitting in a corner, drinking sullenly.
Only after everyone had finished greeting Mika did she suddenly stand up, glass in hand. Her eyes crinkled into a smile as she spoke to Mika, "So this is our sister-in-law. You’re much prettier in person than on TV."
"—" Mika looked up, startled, at Gia Miller.
The woman before her was wearing heavy makeup and had the vixen-like features common among the other women in the room. Her style of dress was no different, either. And yet, there was an innate noble air about her that surprised Mika.
"Gia, why don’t you get everyone else started?" Cassian said with a smile, walking over to Gia Miller and casually putting an arm around her shoulder.
Gia Miller tilted her head back, drained her glass, and readily agreed, "Alright."
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned to the other women in the room and called out, "Alright, ladies, let’s not get in the way of the men talking business. Come on, let’s go dancing."