Chapter 7

Ava Sterling POV

By the time the charity night ended, it was almost midnight.

The guests left one after another, but the media still crowded around the entrance and refused to disperse.

I saw that Vanessa did not dare leave through the main entrance and could only hide in the lounge while asking her assistant to arrange a car at the back door.

Sebastian told me that Ethan had been kept by Blackwood Group’s legal team in another conference room, and both his phone and computer had been required to be sealed.

At first, he still wanted to defend himself, but after hearing the lawyers read out one email and appointment record after another that he had signed under Blackwood Group’s name, he completely collapsed.

I did not go to see Ethan’s miserable state.

I was busy comforting my team, confirming the children’s cars, handling the repaired works, and dealing with the follow-up donation agreements.

When everything finally came to an end, Sebastian was leaning at the end of the hallway waiting for me.

He had taken off his jacket, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up.

The handsomeness that had made him get mistaken for a male model was still there, but now there was also a hint of exhaustion.

I walked over and asked softly,

“Do you feel wronged?”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow.

“You protected me all night, so what is there to feel wronged about?”

“Vanessa’s words were pretty ugly.”

“I’ve heard worse.”

Sebastian held my hand.

“But tonight, someone got angry for me.”

My heart softened.

We had been married for three years, and most of the time, Sebastian was the one protecting me.

The outside world said I married into wealth and relied on the Blackwood family for resources, but only Sebastian knew how many shortcuts I had refused and how many nights I had stayed up to make charitable design work.

Tonight, when he was humiliated, I strongly realized for the first time that I also wanted to shield him behind me.

“Let’s go public in the future,” I said.

“That way, no one will treat you like someone they can casually order around again.”

Sebastian smiled.

“We can go public, but Mrs. Blackwood has to think carefully.”

“After we go public, the media will be even more annoying than tonight.”

I thought for a moment.

“Then we’ll only go public when necessary.”

“For example, when someone tries to buy my husband again.”

Sebastian laughed softly.

Just as his laughter fell, an argument came from the other end of the hallway.

Vanessa’s voice was sharp.

“What right do you have to stop me from leaving?”

“I didn’t break the law!”

The Blackwood lawyer’s tone was calm.

“Miss Reed, you may leave.”

“But regarding the damaged exhibit, business interference, and defamation, we need to confirm your contact information and attorney information.”

Vanessa trembled with anger.

“Tell Sebastian Blackwood to come talk to me!”

Sebastian and I walked over.

When Vanessa saw us, her eyes lit up as if she had grabbed her last chance.

“Mr. Blackwood, I was wrong tonight, but if this keeps blowing up, it won’t be good for anyone.”

“Your wife does charity work, and she also needs support in the circle.”

“The Reed family can give money and help her build resources.”

I understood.

This was a threat in new packaging.

If I accepted, it would be the same as admitting that my charity project needed the Reed family’s handouts.

If I refused, Vanessa would spread rumors in the circle that I did not know what was good for me.

Sebastian did not speak.

I looked at Vanessa.

“My project needs people who respect the rules, not people who throw money around whenever they want.”

Vanessa gritted her teeth.

“Are you determined to burn every bridge?”

“You narrowed the road yourself.”

Vanessa suddenly laughed.

“Ava Sterling, do you really think marrying Sebastian Blackwood makes you safe?”

“The one thing wealthy wives never lack is replacements.”

“You embarrassed me today, and tomorrow, someone will use the same method to embarrass you.”

Sebastian’s eyes turned completely cold.

But I spoke first.

“Then we’ll wait for tomorrow.”

Vanessa froze.

“Tonight, you settle what you should settle first,” I said.

The lawyer handed over the documents, and Vanessa refused to sign them.

In the end, a family representative named Michael arrived from the Reed family and accepted them on her behalf with a dark expression.

Michael was much more clear-headed than she was, and the moment he saw Sebastian, he apologized first.

“Mr. Blackwood, Miss Sterling, Vanessa was spoiled tonight.”

“The Reed family will handle this.”

Vanessa refused to accept it.

“Michael!”

Michael cut her off coldly.

“Shut up.”

“Haven’t you embarrassed the Reed family enough?”

This was the first time I saw real panic on Vanessa’s face.

It was not anger from being scolded, but the realization that the Reed family would no longer cover for her the way they used to.