Chapter 4 She Is Mrs. Rivers, Then Who Am I?

It's her.

Ruby!

After seeing who it was, I suddenly wasn't surprised anymore about why Nathaniel agreed to replace me on the project.

To say my heart didn't ache would be lying to myself.

So, in Nathaniel's eyes, I'll always come second to Ruby?

The doubts growing in my heart spread once again.

"Seraphina, so you wanted this project too. But sorry, Nathaniel already promised it to me. He didn't want me to struggle so hard finding partners when I'm just starting my business, so he chose to give it to me. You won't blame me for it, will you?

If you're going to blame Nathaniel for this, I can give the project to you."

Ruby spoke generously, but I didn't feel a bit of guilt from her.

Instead, I felt a strong sense of provocation.

But why should I put up with this?

However, if I just fought with her directly, like some shrew, how embarrassing would that be.

I lifted my lips in a light smile, "Working with anyone is still working, right? Either way, the money earned will have my share."

Even though at this moment, I wasn't actually sure whether Nathaniel's promise to revise the prenup would also be canceled just like this collaboration.

But in front of Ruby, I acted as if the new agreement had already been signed.

Then the money the Rivers Group makes would have my share.

I did successfully see Ruby's expression change - she almost couldn't maintain her composure.

She knew my identity, so naturally she understood what I meant.

After all, she probably didn't know about my prenup with Nathaniel.

"If you can think of it that way, then I'm relieved."

Ruby's words sounded more like they were squeezed out through gritted teeth.

But inside, I still didn't feel happy at all.

I tightened my hands hanging at my sides, took a deep look at Ruby, and turned to walk out.

I didn't expect Ruby to still not give up and chase after me.

I heard footsteps behind me, held back, but finally couldn't help pausing.

However, before I could say anything, Ruby walked past me, came to the outer office area, and clapped her hands.

"Hello everyone, for the upcoming project, I hope you'll all cooperate. This is also my first time working on a project like this, so if there's anything wrong, please bear with me."

Ruby, wearing a haute couture outfit and speaking polite, friendly words, immediately won over quite a few people.

Then she said, "Since this is our first meeting, how about this - today I'll treat the entire department to desserts and coffee from that shop downstairs."

The project manager chimed in, "Why don't you all thank Ms. Rivers?"

Ruby immediately waved her hand, "No need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Mr. Rivers. It's all because of him that I got this collaboration opportunity. I'm also treating everyone on Mr. Rivers' behalf."

As soon as she said this, quite a few people couldn't help whispering.

Some voices even reached my ears.

"Which family's daughter is this Ms. Rivers? Everything she's wearing is haute couture!"

"Do you think she might be Mr. Rivers' wife? Since she can say she's treating us on Mr. Rivers' behalf, and she's so generous and wealthy, she probably is. Plus I heard Mr. Rivers' wife is a designer!"

"Then she and Mr. Rivers really are a perfect match."

I heard this, and Ruby naturally heard it too.

I frowned.

Ruby looked at me with an innocent expression, "Weren't you leaving? Don't tell me you want coffee and dessert too? Should I have them buy an extra portion?"

My gaze turned cold, but I didn't step forward to say I was Nathaniel's wife.

First of all, this was just their private discussion.

And even if I did say it, given Ruby's high profile right now and what the project manager just said, these people probably wouldn't believe me anyway.

Besides, since Ruby is Nathaniel's sister, these rumors should be cleared up by the person involved.

That would work best.

"No need. If I want to eat, I'll have my husband buy it for me."

As I spoke, I turned around and headed toward Nathaniel's office.

Seeing that I wasn't planning to leave but was instead walking toward Nathaniel's office, Ruby finally got a bit anxious.

While chasing after me, she lowered her voice and said, "Seraphina, is this really necessary? It's just a cup of coffee and a dessert. Do you know how busy Nathaniel is every day? Not only can't you help him this way, you're actually causing trouble for him and dragging him down."

She was practically saying I wasn't worthy of Nathaniel at all.

In the past, when I was able to marry him, I actually worried anxiously whether I was worthy of Nathaniel.

But in the years we've been together, through my own efforts, I got my own studio, and I've never taken advantage of him for anything. We're equals.

Why wouldn't I be worthy of him!

On the other hand, Ruby could say she relied on the Rivers family when she was younger.

But now? She's already an adult, yet she still has to live off projects given by the Rivers Group.

Since she was being so blunt, I didn't hold back either, "All the things I've troubled him with over these years still aren't as much as what you've troubled him with in the few days since you came back. By that logic, you're the one dragging him down."

After saying this, I gently pushed past her blocking my way and quickly arrived at Nathaniel's office door.

Chris Diaz, as Nathaniel's assistant, looked very surprised to see me.

"Mrs. Rivers, what brings you here?"

Hearing Chris's words, sadness swept through my heart.

Nathaniel was indeed going back on his word about the agreement he promised me, otherwise Chris's first thought should have been that possibility.

Just like with this design project - even Chris, Nathaniel's personal assistant, didn't know about it.

This was enough to show that Nathaniel might have just been placating me and never really intended to give me the new project.

"I'm here to see Nathaniel." I composed myself and said.

Chris looked at me somewhat apologetically, "Mrs. Rivers, I'm sorry, Mr. Rivers has an international conference call right now and probably doesn't have time. Should I take you to the lounge first?"

"I told you, Nathaniel is very busy."

Ruby, who had caught up, naturally muttered this sentence.

That intimate tone made it seem like she and Nathaniel had such a close relationship.

And made me, Nathaniel's wife, look more like an outside intruder.

"No need. Since he's busy, I'll head back first."

I suddenly wasn't sure whether barging in to have him deal with the rumors about him and Ruby would just bring me humiliation.

To protect my pitiful dignity, I declined Chris's suggestion.

Ignoring Ruby's presence, I escaped from there as quickly as possible.

Nathaniel's call came two hours after I got home.

I didn't even know whether he had really been in meetings the whole two hours, or whether he'd spent part of that time with Ruby.

"Seraphina, I'll have the driver pick you up later. I have a surprise for you."

When the call connected, I was still hesitating about whether to bring up the rumors about him and Ruby, but he spoke first.

"Okay!"

I was still unwilling to let it go, and had accumulated a lot of grievances. I really wanted to get to the bottom of it all.

So I'd take this opportunity to have it out properly.

If we couldn't sort it out clearly, then there was no need for us to continue living together.

Of course, I was also a bit curious about what surprise he was talking about.