197 A Secret in the Spotlight
197 A Secret in the Spotlight
“Was that Fiona the Vicious I just saw?” Vera asked, eyebrows raised.
Heat crept up my neck as I read his message.
“Just catching up with an old classmate,” she replied with fake sweetness. “And wondering when the Hazel Shaw bubble will finally burst.”
“Go ahead,” he said with an understanding nod. “I have some university board members to greet anyway. Find me later?”
After extracting himself politely, Sebastian rejoined me. “Sorry about that.”
“People think you’ve been cheating on your husband,” she pressed. “That this money is hush money from some affair.”
“Unfortunately,” I confirmed.
His knowing look told me he wasn’t convinced. “Your face says otherwise.”
The main auditorium was already filling when we arrived. We found seats midway back, perfect for observing without being observed.
His lips quirked up. “Not by choice.”
I met her gaze steadily. “You’ve been waiting for that since our first design class, Fiona. Must be exhausting”
“The ceremony starts in twenty minutes,” Cora reminded us. “We should head to the auditorium soon.”
Before I could respond, a group of alumni swarmed around us–or rather, around Sebastian. I stepped back slightly, watching as they vied for his attention. He handled them with practiced ease, but his eyes kept finding mine over their heads.
Spotting Vera and Cora waving from across the hall, I turned to Sebastian. “My friends are here. Would you mind if-
Fiona leaned closer, her smile sharp. “Everything about the great Hazel Shaw is everyone’s business now. You’ve made quite a name for yourself since graduation.”
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“Should we move?” Cora asked with concern.
I watched as Sebastian spoke with the officials, his confident posture and subtle smile commanding the room without effort. Then his gaze swept the cafeteria and landed on me. His expression softened momentarily.
“Is there a point to this conversation?” I asked.
“The usual. To remind me of my failures and imply I’m sleeping my way to success.”
## Hazel’s POV
As we gathered our things, I stole another glance at Sebastian. He was now surrounded by a group of alumni, all eager for his attention. I wondered if he ever tired of being the most important person in every room.
I laughed despite myself. “Tempting, but she’s not worth the dry cleaning bill.”
“Speak of the devil,” Cora murmured.
I smiled, typing back: *“And yet you still look completely engaged in their conversation. Impressive acting skills.“*
1 forced a smile. “I’m not.”
“That’s your man,” Vera whispered, nudging me excitedly.
Vera nudged her playfully. “The very one our Hazel has been secretly dating.”
Alistair and Ivy stood in the doorway, scanning the room. I turned away quickly, focusing on the stage preparations.
“It’s not exactly dating,” I protested weakly.
“Liar,” she accused with a laugh.
My phone buzzed with a text message:
**Wish I could join you. These board members talk even more than they eat.“*
“It’s fine. I imagine you’re used to being the center of attention.”
My stomach tightened with sudden understanding.
“Tell that to his hand on your waist, Vera countered. “The man couldn’t be more
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obvious if he tried.
My breath caught. Was he speaking to me?
Across the room, I saw Sebastian discreetly check his phone, a small smile playing on his lips. How strange to be in the same room, carrying on two separate conversations- one private, one public.
On stage, Sebastian’s eyes briefly found mine in the crowd, his smile warming almost imperceptibly.
My heart raced as Sebastian approached the podium. The man I’d been secretly involved with—the man whose messages had made me blush minutes ago–now stood before hundreds of people, completely in his element.
I stopped abruptly, turning to face her. The hall suddenly felt too warm, too crowded. I kept walking. “I don’t track rumors.”
The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause as Sebastian walked confidently onto the stage. Under the bright spotlights, he looked even more commanding than usual. His tailored suit accentuated his broad shoulders, his expression conveying both authority and approachability.
Cora grimaced. “What did she want?”
I shook my head slightly, a silent request not to approach. Public attention was the last thing I needed after Fiona’s accusations.
“Thank you for that kind introduction, Sebastian began, his voice carrying effortlessly through the auditorium. “It’s a privilege to return to these halls that shaped so much of who I am today.”
As applause washed over the auditorium at the conclusion of his speech, one thought crystallized in my mind: Was I ready for what stepping into Sebastian’s spotlight truly
meant?
“The path forward isn’t always clear,” Sebastian continued, “but with courage and integrity, we can transform challenges into opportunities for growth.”
Fiona Xu’s venomous words still hung in the air as Sebastian and I made our way through the university’s grand hall. Her attack had struck closer to home than I wanted to admit.
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She followed, persistent as a shadow. “Did you know there are rumors circulating about you receiving a gift of 300 million dollars recently? Care to explain where that came from?”
“No, but some are definitely bitter,” I replied coolly. “Excuse me, my friends are waiting.”
As he continued his speech, I felt a strange mixture of pride and uncase. This was Sebastian in his public persona–polished, powerful, and completely out of my league according to people like Fiona.
“Look who’s here,” Vera whispered, nodding toward the entrance.
As I walked away, I heard her call after me: “This facade won’t last forever!”
He gave an almost imperceptible nod, returning to his conversation.
I reached Vera and Cora, exhaling slowly to release the tension Fiona had caused.
I toyed with my fork. “It’s complicated.”
“Vera!” I hissed, feeling my cheeks warm.
Beside me, Vera shot me a knowing look. “Oh, he’s good,” she whispered.
I sidestepped her. “I don’t owe you explanations, Fiona.”
upon which
“The relationships we forge here,” he said, “often become the foundations we build our futures. Sometimes, the most important connections are the ones we least expect.”
“You shouldn’t let her get to
lower back.
you,” Sebastian said quietly, his hand firm against my
“Oh my god, your face!” Vera exclaimed, trying to peek at my phone. “What did he say?”
“So,” Cora leaned forward over her salad, “are you going to tell us what’s really happening between you two?”
**One of my many talents. Though I’d much rather demonstrate my others to you later.“*
introduce our
“And now,” the president announced, “it is my great honor to distinguished alumnus speaker–a man whose innovations have transformed multiple
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industries, whose philanthropy has changed countless lives, and whose ongoing support of this university has enabled us to establish three new research centers in the past five years.”
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Alistair staring at me, his expression unreadable. Had he made the connection? Did he now understand who Sebastian was to me?
I nodded, grateful for his understanding. As I made my way toward my friends, Fional stepped directly into my path.
We made our way to the cafeteria for lunch before the main ceremony. The room had
and
been transformed with elegant tableclothe centerpieces, but it still held the
familiar buzz of conversation and clattering dishes.
“Speaking of designer items,” Cora said, “did we just see you arrive with Sebastian Sinclair? The Sebastian Sinclair?”
“Well, well,” she said, arms crossed. “Hazel Shaw with Sebastian Sinclair. How did manage that?”
She just
grinned. “Am I wrong?”
you
Her smile faltered. “Your father’s company collapsed in scandal. Your husband left you for your sister. Now suddenly you’re wealthy and dating Sebastian Sinclair? People aren’t stupid, Hazel.”
The university president took the stage, welcoming alumni and announcing the day’s schedule. I half–listened, my attention divided between avoiding Alistair’s gaze and wondering where Sebastian had disappeared to.
I tucked my phone away. “Nothing important.”
“No,” I said firmly. “I’m not hiding.”
“Ex–husband,” I corrected, keeping my voice level. “And what I do with my life is none of your business.”
“Please welcome to the stage, the CEO of Sinclair Innovations and chairman of the Sinclair Foundation, Mr. Sebastian Sinclair!”
“Want me to spill something on her designer dress?” Vera offered, only half–joking. “Did you just have a telepathic conversation?” Vera asked, amused.
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“Translation: they’re definitely sleeping together,” Vera stage–whispered to Cora.
I watched Sebastian command the room with effortless charisma, and suddenly the full reality of our situation hit me. This wasn’t just about us anymore. Whatever happened between Sebastian and me would happen under scrutiny–his wealth, my recent divorce, both our names in headlines.
Before I could answer, a ripple of whispers spread through the cafeteria. Sebastian had entered with the university president and several board members.
