Chapter 188: Liam’s doubts
Zara gave him a questioning look, not expecting such a personal question since they weren’t exactly close.
"Don’t take it the wrong way," Liam explained quickly, noticing her hesitation. "I’m not trying to pry into your private life. I just want to know you a little better. But if you are not comfortable, that’s fine."
His sincerity eased her, and she replied, "Everyone in the Grant family is nice. They treat me well, especially Grandma. But..." She gave a small shrug. "Not everyone is the same." Leaning in slightly, she lowered her voice. "My sister-in-law is difficult."
"Really?" Liam asked, curious.
"Yes. Your model, Riya, is my sister-in-law," Zara revealed. "I’m sure you know that."
Liam nodded. He already knew the Grant family well. "So you are not fond of her."
Zara pulled a face. "She hates me and thinks I’m not worthy of being Nathaniel’s wife," she said with sarcasm. "She always treats me like an outsider."
Liam was taken aback. From what he knew, everyone in the Grant family had accepted Zara and Nathaniel’s marriage back then because of Zane. No one should think that she didn’t deserve Nathaniel.
But Riya, who he thought was the spoiled princess of the Grant family—glamorous, attention-seeker, and impulsive, had carried such bitterness for Zara. She hadn’t even hesitated to plan to humiliate Zara like that just because she believed she wasn’t fit for Nathaniel.
Was this simply prejudice? Or was there something deeper behind her actions?
"Did you marry without the Grant family’s approval?" Liam asked, feigning innocence.
In truth, he wanted to gauge her relationship with Nathaniel. From his talk with Nathaniel, it was obvious the man hadn’t let go of Nora yet.
Liam suspected that Nathaniel and Zara’s relationship wasn’t good, which could explain Riya’s hostility toward her.
Zara shook her head. "No, the elders agreed to our marriage," she said. "It’s only Riya who dislikes me." She let out a small chuckle.
"And your husband?" Liam pressed. "Does he treat you well?"
Zara’s lips parted slightly. If someone had asked her that question months ago, she would have quickly said no.
Back then, Nathaniel had been cold and distant. But now, after the closeness and passion they had recently shared, she could see he was changing. She believed she was slowly making a place for herself in his heart.
"He..." She lowered her gaze, trying to hide the warmth rising in her cheeks.
At that moment, the waiter returned with pastries and juice, breaking the moment.
Zara thanked him politely, then nervously took a sip of her juice, carefully sidestepping Liam’s question.
Zara couldn’t stop replaying the memory of Nathaniel’s lips on hers, his touch, and the way he had been inside her. Heat spread through her body, making her tense. She lifted the juice, hoping it would calm her, but it didn’t help. The images of their intimacy kept flashing in her mind.
Liam, on the other hand, misunderstood her silence. He assumed she was avoiding the question because Nathaniel didn’t treat her well. After all, if Nathaniel truly cared, why would he allow Riya to mistreat and humiliate Zara for so long?
In his mind, their marriage seemed loveless, cold. Now, he was eager to see how Nathaniel would react. Would he finally stand up against Riya, or ignore it?
Zara cut a piece of pastry. "Mmm, it’s good. Why aren’t you eating?"
Snapped out of his thoughts, Liam picked up his fork and started eating. "Yes, it’s good."
"I’ll also get some pastries for Zane," Zara said as she continued eating.
Meanwhile, a woman from a distance discreetly snapped photos of the two of them together. Without wasting a second, she slipped out of the café and forwarded the pictures to a familiar number.
At Edith’s office...
"These are today’s shoot photos," Edith said, sliding a stack across the desk toward Riya. "Go through them."
Riya eagerly picked them up.
"Choose the ones you like best. Those will go into the advertisement," Edith added.
Riya flipped through the photos, but her thoughts were elsewhere. "Mr. Shay hasn’t come back yet. I was hoping to meet him."
"He is a busy man," Edith replied offhandedly, still focused on a file in front of her. "He has tied up with other work. He won’t be at the studio today."
"Oh, I see," Riya said softly, disappointment flickering across her face. She had been waiting for a chance to meet Shay Walsh, but he always seemed out of reach.
Just then, her phone buzzed on the desk. She snatched it up quickly and opened the new message. Her body went stiff as she found a few photos of Zara with a man. The man’s face wasn’t visible properly, but his side profile sparked a familiarity in her mind.
’He looked like Shay,’ Riya thought as she caught a glimpse of him at the event. That night, her manager had mentioned Shay’s presence at the venue, which had filled her with excitement and the hope of meeting him. But by the time she got the chance, he had already left, and all she managed to see was his figure disappearing through the exit. What truly unsettled her was Zara smiling at him as if she were very close to him.
Then another message popped up. ’Mr. Shay is with Zara.’
’So, that’s where he really is—busy with Zara,’ Riya seethed inwardly. ’Why does Zara always manage to steal everyone’s attention?’
Jealousy and anger coiled inside her, making her chest burn.
"I hope everything is alright," Edith said, eyeing Riya with curiosity. "You look like you just saw a ghost. Who is texting you?"
Riya glanced up, momentarily caught off guard, but quickly masked her reaction with a faint smile. "It’s my manager," she said smoothly, setting the phone aside. "Nothing important."
She shifted her focus back to the photographs scattered before her, quickly picking out a few. "I think these ones work best."
Edith checked them over and nodded with satisfaction. "Perfect." She slipped the selected photos into a folder.
As Riya studied Edith, a sly idea took shape in her mind. "Honestly, Edith, this feels unfair. I signed the contract, I’m the face of his brand, yet your boss hasn’t given me a single chance to meet him personally. Don’t you think it would be better if we actually got to know each other?"
Edith’s expression remained flat. "Like I told you, he is a very busy man. He has a lot on his plate. He entrusted me with everything here—the shoot, the designs, the advertising, the contracts, the events... all of it. So don’t worry. Even if you don’t get to meet him, your contract and position are secure."
Riya nodded, a sly gleam flashing in her eyes. "He must trust you a great deal, then."
"Yes," Edith answered with pride. "I’ve been by his side for the last five years. We went through struggles together, worked late nights, and gave everything we had to build this brand and reach where we are now."
Her face softened with a nostalgic smile. "The world knows his name, but he always made sure I went on stage to accept the awards. He said it was his way of thanking me for standing by him through everything. He dedicated every success of his to me, saying he couldn’t have come this far without me."
Riya studied her closely, her suspicions deepening. "Wow, Mr. Walsh sounds very thoughtful. He clearly knows how to value someone’s effort. And you deserve it. His success is also yours. You have worked just as hard."
She paused deliberately, then asked in a careful tone, "Such a wonderful man... It’s hard to ignore. Do you like him?"