Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 283: Bold statement

Braelyn’s POV

By the time our car arrived at the venue, it was already buzzing. A lot of important guests had arrived. Top partners, board members and influential figures who made the Volkov name what it was.

The car slowly stopped but we didn’t stop immediately. "Are you ready?" He asked me, like he always did in the past, we attended high-end events like this. He knew I wasn’t comfortable under public pressure..

"I was born ready.." I chimed with a soft smile. The door was pushed open and we were welcomed by the blinding lights, Raphael stepped out first and gave me his hand.

I accepted his gesture. We were married and needed to keep up the appearance. Raphael smiled as he helped me out, his soft lips pressed against my hand and the camera made sure to capture the moment...

"Mrs Volkov looks dazzling today.."

"Whoever said they weren’t a perfect match must be blind..."

The paparazzi gushed as they took multiple pictures. Raphael’s hand had slipped behind my back settling in my waist as we continued smiling for the camera with perfect smiles

Tonight’s gala wasn’t a casual event, it was to prove to the outside world that Volkov Apex was handling the pressure from New Horizon well and wasn’t shaken.

The cameras were still flashing when a limo arrived carrying a customised plate number belonging to the Volkov family.

I stiffened for a moment seeing the car. Raphael noticed and leaned towards my ears. "Let’s go inside. " he urged but it was too late.

The door was pulled open and naturally Ronan got out first looking as handsome as ever, Raphael got his genes from his father, obviously. Although Ronan was stern with a calculative air around him, it never changed the fact that he had a magnetic aura.

Despite being in his 50s Ronan could be mistaken for being in his late 30s and this charm had always made Natalia insecure. Natalia was gorgeous without a doubt and younger than Ronan but they aged at different paces.

Natalia stepped out next looking elegant and refined evidence of all the skin care spent to meet up with her husband but a fact no one said out loud was the fact that she looked older than Ronan. It wasn’t because she was an old hag, she actually looked great for her age but the god of beauty wasn’t fair...

There was a point I was worried that Raphael had his father’s ageing genes and I would end up looking like an old hag next to him. He always laughed it off saying that wasn’t possible after all my late mother Avelina was known for being ever young which some women enviously said it was because she was child-free most of her life.

The paparazzi wasn’t instantly drawn to Ronan and Natalia that was before a 3rd figure stepped out of the limo looking like the star of the show. My eyes instantly dulled once it fell on Amelia dressed in red looking like trouble. His blonde hair caught the light. Her expensive diamond hairpins glittered...

She looked perfect and that wasn’t all. I felt Raphael stiffen, he also noticed it. The expensive necklace on Amelia’s neck. It wasn’t just any necklace but the infamous heirloom of the Volkov family passed through the years to the wives of the main heir.

A necklace by right was meant to be mine but was never given to me. Natalia’s excuse was that I hadn’t earned the right yet because I was childless..

But now a discarded mistress was wearing the same piece. I wanted to laugh but my throat was dry. Raphael’s hold tightened on my waist. He looked calm on the surface but I could feel the tension underneath...

We all understood Natalia’s bold move. Not just Raphael and me, but some top partners who knew the Volkov family long enough. Amelia sensed our gaze and stared right at me with an innocent smile that looked harmless on the surface but I knew the challenge underneath.

"I had no idea Lynn." Raphael immediately got into explanation mode..I shrugged, stopping him. I knew he had no say in this, Raphael had asked his mother several times to pass the heirloom but Natalia’s excuse was the same.

He couldn’t force his mother...this was all their doing

"Let’s go in, Raphael.." I chimed, this wasn’t a place for a fight and the necklace meant nothing when I had the legal title. "Let the peacocks parade. " I chirped in

We walked past the red carpet without a hitch since everyone’s attention was on Amelia’s bold statement. We found our way to the dazzling banquet hall.

Volkov Apex was a big company and couldn’t host every staff member for the banquet but key staff in the headquarters were invited and a selected few from our numerous branches mostly comprised of high-ranking administrative staff, including our top partners and executives who could all come with a plus one..

But provisions were made for end-of-year bonuses to every staff member even to the lowest cleaner...

The banquet hall was packed already and people were seated according to rank and importance. The main entrance wasn’t crowded since only executives and high ranking guests could come through the red carpet, the rest used the other entrance...

Raphael led me to our table which was located behind Ronan’s table. We were to share it with some executives I was familiar with and according to rank share it with the man who ghosted me after a confession ..

We arrived at the table and weren’t surprised to meet some executives already in a full conversation mood. Raphael stopped for a moment but before we could say any we were spotted by the table. All the executives stood up to welcome us except for one man, Lucien Volkov who didn’t look bothered in the slightest but his gaze locked on me like a hawk.

I had no idea he was back from his trip. Everyone exchanged pleasantries. Lucien even made a lazy compliment.."You look like a lovely couple so in love..." Lucien lazily said with a smile that looked like trouble his gaze burned into me.

Raphael gave a polite smile as he pulled out a seat for me. He chose the one farthest from Lucien of course. "Thanks for the compliment. I thought you were out for a trip.." Raphael politely said. He waited for me to take my seat before sitting beside me like a barricade between Lucien and me.

Lucien straightened up. "I am just returning from the airport. I couldn’t miss my first end-of-year gala as an executive.." he chimed before his voice lowered just for Raphael to hear but I got snippets.

"I heard your dear Amelia is being a sensation at the entrance. " he slurred just to get on Raphael’s nerves. Lucien laughed like nothing happened smoothing the atmosphere

Raphael remained silent, not taking the bait. My phone buzzed with a text that made me go red..

Lucien: It’s annoying seeing you looking breathtaking beside him. Can’t wait to make you breathless without anything on...

My gaze snapped to Lucien and he was casually scrolling through his phone with a subtle smirk.