The Silent Shield

The echo of her heels reverberated, the only sound Rose and Levin could hear until they stepped into the elevator.

“Is that how he treats you?” In the reflection, Rose could see Levin’s gaze fixed on her.

“I don’t need your sympathy.” She met his gaze haughtily, ignoring the gentle look directed at her.

Those green eyes immediately looked away. “I’ve never felt empathy for you. I’m glad to see you ‘small’.” Levin smoothed out the gray suit he was wearing. “I can’t wait to see it again.”

Her fingers throbbed; he couldn’t open his mouth to respond or defend his pride.

The elevator doors finally opened, and he could see the reporters waiting for their arrival, including Liana, who kept staring at Levin. Cameras continued to capture the two of them as they stepped out. Unexpectedly, a warm embrace touched his shoulder.

His hand was firm, shielding her from the reporters who were pressing them to speak. John, who was already standing by the car, immediately opened the door.

“Get in.” Levin let her go first.

Rose sat there, feeling something she couldn’t quite put into words; she touched the part of her body that Levin had touched, and a soothing sensation washed over her as she recalled the moment.

The car door closed, and she immediately looked at Levin.

“Are you going to see her?” The man immediately stopped staring at Liana.

“No, I won’t.” He replied firmly.

“Really?”

“Don’t ever go near her.” His sharp gaze made Rose smile.

“You won’t? Is that a promise to me?” She began to feel her confidence returning.

Levin glanced out the window; his silence brought a smile to Rose’s face.

*****

A new stack of papers was sitting on Rose’s desk.

“Please schedule a visit for me to the Stuart Corp. lab. I want to make sure we can continue this project there.” She handed the documents she had signed to John.

“It’s your wedding anniversary today.” John took the papers.

“So?”

“You should be at home or anywhere else, just not sitting at your desk.” She could sense John’s sincerity.

“Do you think my marriage is going well?”

John shook his head.

“That’s why I’m here.” Rose picked up the papers that had just arrived on her desk. “He won’t give me a moment to breathe.”

“I’m speaking as your only friend, Rose.” Those words captured her full attention. “Taking a moment to breathe isn’t a mistake.”

Rose smiled bitterly. “If I stop, everything will fall apart. I’ll keep moving forward so the pain doesn’t choke me.”

John fell silent, overcome with sorrow; he couldn’t find his voice.

“Get back to work.”

Watching John’s back disappear behind the door, she paused to reflect for a moment before refocusing on her work.

*****

The applause from the board of directors echoed through the conference room as they welcomed Levin as the newest member of the Wilson family.

“I’ve long wanted a luxury resort on an island, but no one has ever given me one.” Hendrick’s gaze fixed on Levin. “Can you make that happen, my son-in-law?”

Hendrick’s wish took everyone by surprise. Without exception.

“Your wish is still very difficult to realize, Mr. Wilson,” said Leo, who was in charge of the resort project.

“That’s why I’m handing this project over to him. He needs to prove his worth to The Wilson.” Levin felt that condescending gaze.

“If he takes on this project, what about the Hydrogen Core that Stuart Corp is trying to develop?” asked one of the board members.

“The Hydrogen Core will be under my responsibility,” Rose replied calmly and authoritatively.

“If the Hydrogen Core is under your control, The Wilson will have to cover all the massive losses,” interjected another board member.

“He’ll pay for it with the success of this resort project. Isn’t that right, Levin Stuart?” Hendrick once again demanded everyone’s attention.

He sat up straight and smiled with confidence. “I will make your resort dream a reality.”

Under the table, his fist was clenched tightly.

“In that case, Stuart Corp owes nothing to The Wilson. Because the losses incurred will be paid for with a fair price.” Rose said this with her eyes fixed on him.

“In my hands, this project will not fail, Mr. Wilson.” He said this while continuing to stare at Rose, who was sitting across from him.

His sincerity succeeded in winning the trust of the board of directors.

*****

The streetlights were reflected in Rose’s eyes as she looked out the window. The heavy traffic gave her and Levin—who was busy with the sheet of paper on his lap—a little extra time together.

“Do you know why Leo is surveying this area?” Levin showed her the sheet of paper.

“Because Hendrick Wilson wants him to.”

“This is a government-owned forest and conservation area.” The man pulled the paper back toward him.

“That’s why this project never got off the ground,” She added.

“What proposals did The Wilson ever submit to the government?” Levin leafed through the papers.

“Stop looking through that pile of papers,” her ordered. “Look at me; I’ll answer all your questions.”

Finally, those tired green eyes looked at him.

“I’ll help you.” Rose said those words sincerely.

Levin sighed when he realized who was standing before him.

“I don’t need your help.” He massaged his temples.

“The information I have isn’t written on paper.” Rose tried to persuade her husband.

“I don’t want to owe you anything anymore.” His voice was drowned out by the sound of a car horn.

“What did you say?”

“I don’t want to be controlled by you.” Levin raised his voice to cut through the noise outside.

The rejection succeeded in silencing Rose; her gaze drifted back out the window, and her fingers began to interlock.

Slowly, the car came to a stop in front of the Wilson mansion. Before entering the house, Rose took a deep breath.

“Is something going to happen?” Levin watched Rose.

“No one knows.” She motioned to John to open the door.

“Have a good rest,” John said as he accompanied Rose and Levin.

Levin, stepping into the Wilson mansion for the first time, walked behind Rose; a servant approached them.

“Mr. Wilson is waiting for you at the dining table,” he said.

Reluctantly, they made their way over to where Hendrick was sitting.

“Take a seat and enjoy the welcome this mansion has prepared for you.” Hendrick raised his wine glass. “Levin, sit next to me.”

Rose and Levin sat across from each other.

“Leave work matters behind; we’ll talk as family in this house.” Hendrick drained the wine in his glass. “I was asked many questions on the first day of your marriage.”

“What question did you hear?” Rose asked without looking at her father.

“The question that was asked still concerns the rejection at the altar.” Hendrick put a forkful of pasta into his mouth.

The awkward atmosphere had now turned cold and silent.

“Are you also going to refuse to sleep with my daughter?” Hendrick casually tossed out the question.

The cutlery Rose was holding trembled. Meanwhile, Levin responded to the question with a sharp glare.

“Is that really a question you should be asking, Mr. Wilson?”

“I just want to make sure you’re serious.” Hendrick wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Are you going to keep hating her, or thank her?”

“That’s none of your business, Dad.” Rose steeled herself. “You have no right to meddle in his personal life.”

“Then I’ll meddle in your life.” Hendrick leaned toward Rose. “Have you met Liana Collin yet?”

Rose curled the corner of her lip. “Why would I meet her?”

She could feel Levin’s anger as he glared at them.

“You said you’d get rid of her.” Hendrick had cornered Rose. “Do I need to get rid of her myself?”

“I ended things with her before the wedding day.” Levin emphasized every word that came out of his mouth.

Hendrick leaned back. “If what you’re saying is true, why was that woman at the same hotel on your wedding night? Did you book a room for her?”

Rose waited for Levin’s answer.

“That’s none of your business.”

Hendrick’s laughter echoed, leaving Rose feeling suffocated.

“I don’t care about your pathetic relationship.” Hendrick slammed his fist on the table. “All I care about is my name—if my name gets dragged through the mud in the tabloids, I won’t just sit back and take it.”

Hendrick’s threat was the last sound heard at the dining table.

*****

There were no sofas or chairs in Rose’s room—only a large bed and a wardrobe filling the spacious room.

Levin watched the woman’s back as she stood firm yet appeared fragile to him.

“I didn’t book a room for her.” That admission caught Rose’s attention. “I didn’t know she was there until I saw her in the middle of the crowd of reporters.”

“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?” Rose’s eyes, which had briefly gone blank, now came back to life.

“I want to end this damn dinner.” For the first time, he cursed in front of Rose. “I’ve told you the truth; in return, you keep your promise not to go near her.”

A bitter smile played across Rose’s weary face. “I’ll protect her from my father.”

To Be Continued ~~~

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