Chapter 5

The room went silent—everyone was stunned.

"Wait, that kid just called her ‘Mommy’?"

"So… she really is Mrs. Smith?"

Marcus and Camille froze, their faces white with shock.

"Audrey, how could you be married to Mr. Smith?"

"No, that’s not possible!"

Marcus knelt down, forcing a smile as he talked to my son.

"Hey there, little guy—you must be confused. This lady… she’s my ex-wife. She can’t be your mommy."

Leo’s face scrunched up, his cheeks puffing out in anger.

"I’m not confused! This is my Mommy! She’s never been your wife!"

Leo ran to my side, gently taking my scratched wrist and blowing on it with his little lips.

"Mommy, does it hurt?"

"Who did this? I’ll tell Daddy to teach them a lesson!"

Leo tugged Liam over, looking up at him to tattle.

"Daddy, Mommy got hurt!"

Liam took my hand gently. When he saw the red mark, his eyes turned cold.

"Does it hurt?"

I shook my head, glancing at the broken glasses. "I’m okay. Just hate ruining this dress… and I’m sorry if I caused a scene."

Liam put his arm around me, his stare cutting through Marcus and Camille.

"Who’s in charge here?"

"My wife is a guest here. Is this how you treat invited guests?"

Liam’s words hit Marcus like a truck—he finally had to face the truth: I was Liam’s wife.

His face twisted, but he forced a smile when he looked at Liam.

"Mr. Smith, this is all just a mix-up. I had no idea Audrey was your wife—I thought she’d snuck in somehow…"

Liam’s scowl deepened, his expression turning icy.

Anyone who knew him could tell he was furious.

And sure enough, his voice turned frigid.

"So you just stood there while my wife was being harassed? Who do you think you are?"

The crowd backed away, not wanting to get involved.

Camille finally panicked, her face going white. She hid behind Marcus, tugging his sleeve.

"Marcus, what are we gonna do?"

Marcus stepped in front of her, still trying to weasel his way out.

"Mr. Smith, we didn’t hurt… Mrs. Smith. She tripped, that’s all. Just a little misunderstanding with my friend here…"

Camille nodded frantically. "Yes! I just wanted to talk to her. It was all a misunderstanding…"

Their pathetic excuses made my blood boil.

They were still trying to twist the story—just like old times.

But not this time.

Liam was known in business circles for being sharp as a tack. He didn’t buy it for a second. He turned to the banquet manager.

"Get the security footage. Now."

"Let’s show everyone how my wife ‘tripped’ and got hurt."

Liam was about to have them pull the footage. Camille, already guilty as sin, panicked—terrified of being exposed, terrified of the consequences.

Finally, she made a split-second decision, shoving Marcus forward and pointing at him.

"Mr. Smith, no need for footage! It was Marcus! He was... mad Audrey wouldn't take him back, so he held a grudge and told me... to mess with Mrs. Smith!"

Marcus froze. He never thought Camille—who he'd always protected—would throw him under the bus like this.

He stared at her, stunned, his voice rising with rage.

"Camille, what the hell are you talking about? When did I ever tell you to do that?"

Camille bit her lip, her eyes desperate.

"Marcus, I'm sorry, but I can't afford to cross Mr. Smith."

"You've always been good to me. Just take the blame this once? Your company's big enough—Mr. Smith won't do anything to you..."

Marcus had always rambled about loyalty and friendship when he wanted me to take the fall for Camille. But now that it was his turn? He couldn't handle it.

Marcus shot daggers at Camille.

"You deal with your own mess!"

He snapped, turning to Liam with the truth.

"Mr. Smith, Camille's lying. I didn't mess with Audrey—she did!"

"Check the cameras if you don't believe me! Everyone here saw it!"

Before Marcus could finish, Camille shrieked at him.

"Marcus, you asshole! How could you say that? You totally egged me on!"

Marcus shouted back.

"Only because you started lying first!"

They bickered back and forth, making a total scene.

With them pointing fingers, Liam tuned out their excuses.

He called security and had Camille escorted out.

He also told his assistant to cancel all deals with Marcus's company—and said he'd be pursuing legal action for harassment.

Now both Camille and Marcus really panicked.

Camille tried to run to Liam, begging, but security held her back. "Mr. Smith, I'm sorry! I messed up! Please give me another chance…"

Marcus turned to me, trying to play on old feelings.

"Audrey, for old times' sake, put in a good word. We can't lose this deal…"