"What's that?" Jude said as his eyes landed softly on the file
Scarlett didn't turn to look at him
Violet stepped aside giving him a clearer view
"Something you should have checked and seen before bringing her into the Maguire mansion", Violet said as she felt victorious
He looked at Scarlett slowly
"Open it" he said
Scarlett looked at him instantly
"What did you say", she said
"I said open it", Jude's voice became a bit loud
Violet watched closely as Scarlett picked up the file and opened it
Jude stepped closer and took it away from her
His expression changed as he went through the pages
"You hid this?", he asked quietly
Scarlett wasn't fazed at all. "But you didn't ask" she said
"Oh! She's bold", Violet said quietly
Jude didn't pay attention to her as his eyes were still on Scarlett
"Who exactly are you?", he asked again. Making it the second time he would ask her, the first one came after the meeting.
Scarlett stepped forward slightly
"If it was something that threatened you or the Maguire family, you would have known before now", she said
Jude closed the file
"No more secrets", he said sharply
Scarlett laughed softly
"Well, that depends on how many questions you're ready to ask", she said
Their eyes locked together
Then Jude turned and walked towards the door.
He suddenly stopped and turned slightly towards her
"Get ready. We're leaving in an hour"
Violet frowned. "You are leaving? To where? For what?"
Jude turned towards the door as he didn't look at her
"I was about to come and inform her. They called that there is an urgent event and we need to be there", he said as he walked out of the room with the file
Scarlett's eyes were on him as he walked out
"Another event? And at this time? Don't these rich people rest?, she whispered under her breath
Violet looked at her with a dangerous look
"It's either you're brave or you're very dangerous", she said as she stepped closer to her slowly
Scarlett didn't move
"I guess I am brave and dangerous", she said
Violet smiled faintly but it didn't appear on her face
"And that makes you a big problem for the Maguire family", she said
Scarlett turned away and headed towards the bathroom
The event was luxurious with important men and women in the country
There were no paparazzi but it wasn't a serious event like the board meeting or the investors meeting
"Always stay close", Jude said quietly
As Scarlett stepped out of the car, her presence was felt immediately
She didn't look at him. "I don't need you to tell me what to do" she said
"According to the contract, you are to be Mrs Maguire publicly, and by so doing, you will obey me tonight" he said sharply
She looked at him briefly as she adjusted slightly and walked beside him as they entered
Eyes turned and whispers increased as they walked in
Scarlett felt the whispers but she was already used to them
Across the room, someone noticed as he looked at Scarlett intentionally
He wanted her to know that he was looking at her
Michael Gerard, CEO of Gerard Industries who is Maguire Industries' biggest rival leaned slightly with a glass in his hand as his eyes stayed on Scarlett
"Who is she", he asked quietly
The man beside him followed the direction of his sight
"You don't know? That's Mrs Maguire"
"Is she now?" he asked as he saw something different
Scarlett felt that someone's eyes were on her as she looked around the room
Then she saw him as their eyes met
Michael started walking towards her
Jude who was in the middle of a conversation noticed Michael and his expression changed
"Interesting choice", Michael said as he stopped in front of Scarlett
Scarlett didn't answer immediately as she looked at him trying to study him and then she saw his designers and realized he might be a very bigwig
"I could say the same about your approach", she replied
"I prefer honesty over courtesy anytime", Michael said as he smiled slightly
Scarlett shook the wine in the glass she was holding
"Well, that depends on what you are trying to achieve. Don't you think so?"
"Hmmmmn…. Right now I want clarity", he said as his eyes stayed on her
"Then I don't think you should be here", Scarlett said
Jude stepped in immediately
"If it's not Michael Gerard", he said sharply
Scarlett now stared at him with curiosity
Michael looked at Jude briefly
"Jude Maguire"
Then his eyes went back to Scarlett
"She doesn't look like someone who belongs in your world", he said with a smirk
"And you don't look like someone who knows who should belong to someone's world", Jude said sharply
Michael didn't pay attention as his attention was still locked on Scarlett
"Tell me something. Do you always walk into rooms like you own what everyone else is afraid of?", he said quietly
Scarlett didn't blink
"I only walk in such rooms when it's absolutely worth it"
Tension between them broke and Jude saw it
"That's enough", Jude said firmly
Scarlett stepped back slightly
Michael was still smiling
"If you're going to pretend about who you are, at least make it enjoyable to watch", he said softly
Jude's eyes became red instantly
"What did you just say?"
Michael looked at him fully now
"I'm just observing. So, just relax bro", he said casually
Jude was about to move close to Michael as Scarlett stepped in before it could escalate
"Observation requires understanding and it looks like you're far from that", she said calmly
Michael looked at her briefly
"You mean I am far from understanding? Well, I will come close soon. Watch out", he said with a chuckle as he walked away
"I doubt it", Scarlett said quietly
Jude turned to Scarlett immediately
"What was that all about? Why were you talking with Michael Gerard our biggest rival", he said firmly
Scarlett looked at him puzzled as she looked at Michael's retreating figure almost immediately
"How would I have known? You didn't inform me", she said quietly
"Stay away from him. I don't want to see you with him again", Jude said quietly
Scarlett finally looked at him
"What if he doesn't stay away from me. What should I do?"
Jude didn't answer immediately
Across the room, Michael stopped as he slowly turned his head looking directly back at Scarlett
He then raised his glass slightly
Scarlett ignored him and Jude walked away
Later that night, at the Maguire mansion
Scarlett was trying to change into her pajamas when she heard a knock on her door
Knock! Knock!! Knock!!!
Scarlett turned towards the door as she frowned
"Who's there?, she shouted angrily
"My lady, it's Madam Tracy"
"Oh! Madam Tracy. What's it?", she asked
"I have a parcel for you", Madam Tracy said as she tried to open the door
"A parcel?", Scarlett whispered
"Okay. Come in"
Madam Tracy stepped in and dropped it on her table
"Who is it from?" Scarlett asked
Madam Tracy stood still as she pondered
"It was addressed to the Maguire mansion directly to Mrs Scarlett Maguire and the sender didn't write their name", she replied
"Okay. Thank you Madam Tracy", as she dismissed her
Scarlett stared at the brown envelope with her name on it
She went and picked it up as she opened it
" I was wondering how long it will take you because your past has my name in it"