I Married His Uncle for Revenge

Chapter 5

The moment Quentin Sterling pushed open the door, the private dining room fell silent.

Five years had passed, and if anything, he seemed even more composed and restrained than I remembered.

His tailored suit hugged his tall, commanding frame perfectly, and every movement radiated the effortless authority of a man who was no stranger to power.

Everyone stood up in unison.

His overseas business ventures had been immensely successful, bringing huge benefits even to the Sterling family back in Northcrest.

All eyes were on him—but his gaze locked onto me.

When he noticed Ethan standing next to me, Quentin's eyes darkened.

I opened my mouth to explain, but Ethan's phone suddenly rang.

"I need to grab someone," he muttered, before hurrying out of the room.

Without hesitation, Quentin strode forward and took Ethan's vacated seat.

"Let's begin," he said, his voice smooth and commanding.

He gestured for everyone to sit, then immediately began peeling shrimp for me.

I tried to speak, "Ethan just—"

"Eat first," Quentin interjected, his fingers deftly placing the peeled shrimp into my bowl before serving me steamed sea bass—my favorite—even removing every bone with careful precision.

My plate quickly piled high with food.

Just as I was beginning to enjoy the meal, the door swung open.

"Hello, Uncle and Auntie!"

Stella's saccharine voice rang out.

The illegitimate daughter of my uncle, she had never been accepted by Northcrest's elite circles.

The room's atmosphere soured instantly.

Ethan's father slammed his chopsticks down onto the table.

"Who invited an outsider to a family gathering?"

Stella's eyes welled up as she ducked behind Ethan, who had just returned.

"Stella is Bianca's cousin—that makes her family too," Ethan quickly defended, though his face tightened when he saw Quentin sitting next to me.

My phone buzzed with a message from Ethan: [You let my uncle sit next to you just to provoke me?]

I flipped my phone face down without a word.

Across the table, Ethan's glare burned into me.

Then his father raised his glass, breaking the tension.

"Tonight's gathering is to finalize a joyous occasion for our family," he said.

Ethan cut in eagerly, "Don't worry, Dad. Bianca and I—"

"I'm talking about your uncle's engagement!" his father snapped, cutting him off.

Ethan paled.

I sipped my tea, keeping my eyes lowered, as Quentin's hand found mine under the table.

"Everything depends on Bianca's wishes," he said calmly.

Ethan shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Uncle, what the hell—? Bianca is mine!"

"Enough!" his father bellowed, slamming his hand on the table.

"Your uncle and Bianca's marriage was arranged by both families a long time ago!"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Ethan stared at me, his face a mix of disbelief and anger.

Without saying a word, I blocked his number—right in front of him.