The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 198

198 A Rival’s Public Humiliation

“Just a friendly heads-up.” Her voice dripped with false sweetness. “My family is having dinner with the Sinclairs next weekend. A matchmaking arrangement, you know how these old families operate.”

“Nonsense! Alumni should mingle.” She turned to Vera and Cora with false brightness. “You don’t mind, do you? I’ll just borrow the other empty chair for myself.”

Alistair reached the stage, extending his hand to Sebastian with a practiced smile. Sebastian shook it firmly, his face revealing nothing as he handed over the plaque.

“I’m just asking after my dear stepsister. The one you left me for on our wedding day, remember?”

“Look who I found wandering around,” she said with mock sweetness. “Mr. Everett was just telling me how he knows you.”

“One hundred million,” I whispered. The same man who had told me six months ago that he couldn’t spare even ten million to save my struggling company. The man who had claimed financial constraints while abandoning me for my sister.

kept my expression neutral. “Is there something you wanted?”

“Your Sinclair certainly knows how to put someone in their place without saying a word,” Cora observed quietly.

Heads turned our way. Alistair’s face flushed with embarrassment.

The ceremony concluded, transitioning into an evening gala with performances and dinner. We moved to assigned tables in the transformed gymnasium. Sebastian had been seated at the president’s table, while I was with other design alumni.

On stage, the university president had returned to the podium.

I placed a hand on Vera’s arm, stopping her retort. “Thank you for the information, Fiona. If you’ll excuse us, the ceremony’s continuing.”

Sebastian owned the stage with a natural charisma that left me breathless. His voice

resonated through the auditorium, commanding attention without effort. I couldn’t tear

my eyes away.

“I’m not hiding, Fiona. Just having a private conversation.”

The crowd hushed in anticipation.

“Hazel Shaw?”

The applause was deafening.

He flinched. “Hazel, please.”

I smiled at her unwavering confidence in me. Before I could respond, a shadow fell across

my screen.

“One point five billion,” Vera whispered. “That’s…”

“Ladies and gentlemen, we now come to our recognition of exceptional alumni

contributions. This year, we are honored to announce an unprecedented donation that will transform our institution for generations to come.”

Sebastian remained on stage, I now realized. As chairman of the alumni association, he

would be presenting these awards.

My stomach dropped, but I refused to let it show. “How nice for you.”

Those words sent a flutter through my chest. Was he mine? The thought made me both

dizzy with excitement and terrified of the implications.

Vera leaned forward. “Funny, I didn’t realize living off daddy’s money while failing at design school counted as the ‘right background.””

Without waiting for permission, she pulled out the chair on my other side and sat down, effectively trapping me between her and Alistair.

My breath caught. Alistair stood from his seat several rows ahead, making his way to the stage with his characteristic confident stride.

I nodded, relaxing slightly as I enjoyed the first musical performance-a string quartet playing classical pieces. Between sets, waiters served an elegant dinner.

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“He’s incredible,” I whispered to Vera beside me.

“It wasn’t like that,” Alistair hissed. “You know it wasn’t.”

*”Everyone’s watching him. He’s in another league entirely.”

*”So what? You’re Hazel Shaw. You belong in any league you choose.”*

I couldn’t deny the satisfaction I felt watching Alistair’s moment of glory completely overshadowed by Sebastian’s presence. For six years, Alistair had made me feel small, inadequate. Now he stood diminished beside Sebastian’s greatness.

Vera checked her phone and typed back:

“More than acquainted, from what I hear.” Fiona’s smile turned vicious. “Ex-spouses,

right? What a coincidence!”

I looked up to find Fiona Xu standing over me, her designer dress hugging her curves

perfectly, her smile sharp as a blade.

Before I could respond, she pushed Alistair toward the empty chair beside me. “Why.

don’t you sit here? I’m sure you two have so much to catch up on.

“What was it like then?” I challenged, past caring about making a scene. “Enlighten us

all.”

pulled out my phone, texting Vera despite her sitting right next to me:

“About Sebastian Sinclair, no doubt.” She slid into the empty seat beside me, uninvited. “I

saw you arrive with him. Clever move.”

My ex-husband was about to receive recognition from the man I was now involved with.

He stood from the president’s table, excusing himself with a polite smile. Then he began making his way toward us, his movements unhurried but purposeful.

“At least we don’t have to worry about Alistair bothering us,” Vera said as we settled in. “He’s probably at some VIP table.”

Fiona had gone silent beside me, her earlier smugness evaporated.

Alistair hesitated, but Fiona had already created a scene. Other guests were watching

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curiously.

“Mr. Everett, we thank you for your contribution,” Sebastian said, his voice professional. “One hundred million will certainly make a difference to our medical facilities.”

Fiona’s face had gone pale beside me. I couldn’t help but feel a small thrill of satisfaction.

“Yes, we’re acquainted,” I replied coldly.

“Still hiding behind your phone, Hazel? Some things never change.”

“Mr. Sebastian Sinclair has committed 1.5 billion dollars to establish the Sinclair

Innovation Complex, which will include cutting-edge laboratories, startup incubators, and

scholarship programs for underprivileged students.”

Our eyes met briefly. In that moment, I saw something shift in his gaze-a cold

determination that sent a shiver down my spine.

Alistair looked as uncomfortable as I felt, his eyes darting around as if searching for

escape.

“Unimaginable,” I finished for her.

Vera squeezed my hand. “Did you see his face? Priceless.”

She smirked. “And he’s yours.”

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