Betrayed Spotlight
Chapter 22: I don’t smile on command

"Mrs. Liu," Derek said quietly as they ascended, "I want to apologize again for what happened. That receptionist will be terminated immediately, and we’ll be reviewing our security protocols."

Sarah nodded, smoothing down her blazer. "Thank you, Derek. I appreciate how you handled the situation."

The elevator dinged softly as they reached the penthouse floor. The doors opened to reveal a sophisticated reception area with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. Everything was pristine, modern, and intimidating – much like Mason himself.

Derek led her down a hallway lined with abstract art and glass-walled conference rooms where serious-looking people in expensive suits were already conducting morning meetings. Sarah felt a flutter of nervousness. This was Mason’s world – cold, efficient, powerful.

They stopped in front of massive double doors made of dark wood. Derek knocked twice and waited for Mason’s voice before opening the door.

"Mr. Liu, Mrs. Liu is here to see you."

Mason’s office was even more impressive than Sarah had imagined. The space was enormous, with one entire wall made of windows that showcased the city sprawling below.

Mason stood behind his desk, looking every inch the billionaire CEO in his perfectly tailored charcoal suit. His expression was unreadable as he looked at Sarah, but she caught something in his eyes, concern, perhaps, or anger about what had happened downstairs.

"Thank you. Close the door behind you," Mason said, his voice as controlled as always.

Derek left them alone, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other across the vast office. Sarah felt the familiar urge to break through Mason’s walls, to see some emotion in those carefully guarded eyes.

"Nice office," she said, walking toward his desk with deliberate casualness. "Very... intimidating. I can see why people are scared of you."

Mason didn’t respond to her attempt at lightness. Instead, he gestured to one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. "Sit down. We need to talk about the Antonio situation."

But Sarah didn’t sit. Instead, she moved closer to his desk, her fingers trailing along its smooth surface as she walked around it. She noticed how Mason’s jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t move away.

"You know," she said conversationally, "I heard something interesting downstairs. That receptionist mentioned how many women try to get close to you. Tell me, Mason, do you let other women touch you?" She didn’t know what the hell took over her tongue for a second.

A few days ago, she was always having a fight with Mason because he was arrogant. And today, she was flirting with him. So what if their marriage was contractual?

He was still her husband.

Mason’s eyes narrowed. "Sarah."

"I’m serious," she continued, now standing directly beside him. Without warning, she reached out and straightened his tie, her fingers brushing against his chest. "See? You’re not pushing me away. You’re not flinching. But I bet if any other woman tried this..."

Mason caught her wrist, but he didn’t push her away. His grip was firm but not painful. "You’re avoiding the conversation we need to have."

Sarah smiled up at him, enjoying the fact that he was holding her wrist rather than rejecting her touch entirely. "Maybe I like avoiding serious conversations with you. You’re always so stern and businesslike. Don’t you ever just... relax?"

"No," Mason said simply, but he still hadn’t released her wrist.

"Never?" Sarah asked, stepping even closer. "Not even a little bit?"

"Sarah." His voice carried a warning, but there was something else there too. Something that made her pulse quicken.

"Fine," she said with an exaggerated sigh, finally stepping back. "But I’m not sitting in that chair like I’m in trouble. We’re married, remember? I can stand wherever I want in my husband’s office."

Mason watched her for a moment, then moved to lean against the front of his desk, crossing his arms. The position brought him closer to her eye level, and Sarah felt a small victory in getting him to abandon his formal stance behind the desk.

"Derek told me what happened downstairs," he said, his voice carefully neutral.

Sarah shrugged. "She insulted me. I don’t take insults well."

"You physically assaulted her."

"I slapped her," Sarah corrected. "There’s a difference. And she deserved it."

To her surprise, Mason’s lips twitched slightly. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was the closest thing to approval she’d seen from him.

"You could have handled it differently," he said.

"I could have," Sarah agreed, moving to perch on the edge of his desk, ignoring his slight frown at her casual disregard for professional boundaries. "But then people would think they could walk all over Mason Liu’s wife. We can’t have that, can we?"

Mason was quiet for a moment, studying her face. "You did a good job."

Sarah laughed, the sound bright and genuine in the sterile office.

She felt a warm flutter in her chest. Was that almost humor in his voice?

"So," she said, swinging her legs slightly as she sat on his desk, "what’s the plan for dealing with Antonio and Diamond? And don’t tell me to let you handle it. I want to know what we’re going to do."

Mason straightened, his expression becoming serious again. "I’ve had Derek research Diamond Sound Entertainment. They’re in financial trouble – worse than they probably let on to their clients. The demand for $500,000 from you is likely a desperate attempt to shore up their cash flow."

Sarah nodded. "That makes sense. Antonio’s always been greedy, but half a million dollars seemed excessive even for him."

"My legal team is reviewing your original contract with them," Mason continued. "Lucas thinks we can find grounds to not only dismiss their penalty claim but potentially counter-sue for harassment and breach of their obligations to you as a client."

"Lucas?" Sarah asked.

"My attorney. The best in the business."

Sarah studied Mason’s face. He was telling her the truth, but she sensed he wasn’t telling her everything. There was something calculating in his eyes, something that suggested his plans went deeper than just legal defense.

"What aren’t you telling me?" she asked directly.

Mason’s expression didn’t change. "I’m telling you what you need to know."

"That’s not the same thing."

"No, it’s not."

Sarah hopped down from the desk and moved closer to him again. "Mr. Liu, we’re supposed to be partners in this. I have a right to know what you’re planning for me."

"You have a right to be protected," Mason corrected. "That’s what I’m doing."

"By keeping me in the dark?"

Mason looked at her steadily. "By handling the situation in the most effective way possible."

Sarah reached out and placed her hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart under her palm. Again, he didn’t pull away.

"I trust you," she said softly. "But I also want to be involved. This is my career, my reputation, my life that they’re trying to destroy."

Something flickered in Mason’s eyes at her words. He covered her hand with his own, the gesture so unexpected that Sarah’s breath caught.

"They won’t destroy anything," he said, his voice carrying a cold certainty that sent a shiver through her. "We had an agreement."

The intensity in his voice, the protective edge to his words, made Sarah’s heart race. This was the closest thing to emotion she’d ever heard from him, and it was all directed at protecting her.

"Mr. Liu," she whispered, looking up into his face.

For a moment, the air between them sparked with tension. Sarah thought he might actually show her some real emotion, might let down his guard just a little.

But then his phone rang, shattering the moment again. Mason retreated, removing his hand from hers, and answered the call.

"Yes?" His voice was back to its usual controlled tone.

Sarah watched his face as he listened to whoever was on the other end. His expression grew thoughtful, then decisive.

"Good. Set it up for this afternoon," he said, then hung up.

"Who was that?" Sarah asked.

"Zachary," Mason replied, straightening his tie. "Your new manager wants to see you at the studio this afternoon. Something about new opportunities."

Sarah felt a flutter of excitement. "New opportunities?"

"He didn’t elaborate. But he seemed... optimistic."

Sarah grinned, unable to contain her happiness. She had turned off her phone, maybe that was why he couldn’t reach her.

Sarah moved closer to him again, unable to resist trying to break through his professional facade one more time.

"You know what this calls for?" she asked, reaching up to touch his face.

"What?" Mason asked, though his body had gone slightly tense.

"A smile," Sarah said, using her fingers to gently push up the corners of his mouth. "Just one little smile to celebrate."

Mason caught her hands and pulled them away from his face, but his touch was gentle. "I don’t smile on command."

"Do you smile at all?" Sarah asked, genuinely curious.

"When there’s reason to."

"And there’s no reason to smile about your wife potentially getting new career opportunities?"

Mason was quiet for a moment, looking down at her hands, which he was still holding.

"There might be," he said finally.

It wasn’t a smile, but coming from Mason, it felt like a victory.

"I’ll take it," Sarah said, grinning up at him. "Now, what time do I need to be at the studio?"

"Three o’clock. Derek will arrange transportation."

"Will you be there?"

Mason shook his head. "I have meetings. But Derek will make sure you get there safely."

Sarah felt a small disappointment, but she pushed it aside. This was progress – Mason was letting her be involved in her own career decisions, and he was protecting her from Diamond’s threats. For now, that was enough.

"Alright," she said, finally stepping back from him. "I guess I should let you get back to your important CEO duties."

Mason nodded, moving back behind his desk. The professional distance was back in place, but Sarah could swear the air between them still hummed with something unresolved.

"Sarah," he called as she reached the door.

She turned back to look at him.

"Be careful today. And if anyone gives you trouble – anyone at all – you call Derek immediately."

The protective note in his voice made her chest warm. "I will."

"Good."