A Billionaire In Disguise

Chapter 13

Two months went by naturally and during that time, Rome had watched Catherine's cousins avoid her,

treating her like an outsider just as their parents did to her.

But she found a new friendship with him, and both of them became a bit closer than before.

Although they were far from acting like a married couple, she felt a bit at ease around him and that was

more than he could ask for.

That morning when Rome rolled over in bed, his hand touched Catherine's arm, and he slowly raised

his eyelids and stared at her.

‘I can't believe we've been sleeping in the same bed for a week now. All thanks to that cold I caught last

week.’ Rome thought, staring at her long lashes.

Suddenly, Catherine's eyes opened, and they stared at each other for a while. Then she got out of bed

without saying a word to him.

“Good morning, wife,” Rome shouted, staring at her back.

Without replying, Catherine rushed into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

“She's cute when she blushes,” Rome mumbled, pushing the blanket off him.

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened and Chloe marched in, glaring at Rome.

“Where's Catherine?” She said, rolling her eyes at him.

“In the bathroom,” Rome said, gazing away from her.

Both of them waited awkwardly for a while, then Catherine came out of the bathroom, and a frown

surface on her face when she saw her cousin.

“What do you want?” Catherine asked, letting out a harsh breath.

“Grandpa called for a meeting in his study,” Chloe said with a frown.

Then she walked out of the room and slammed the door shut.

“I wondered what it could be about?” Catherine mumbled, gazing at Rome with worry in her eyes.

However, those were his exact thoughts too.

The past months have been going so well, but Rome knew that that didn't mean the storm was over

yet.

He had his best men watching Charles, Chloe, Jeff, and Richard's every move, and the fact that they

had done nothing wrong had only made Rome more suspicious of them.

“I should go and see what the meeting is about,” Catherine said, staring at Rome.

He nodded his head, but she didn't move or take her sight of him.

“Do you want me to tag along?” Rome mumbled, noticing the stress in her expression.

For someone who had lived with the Barlow family for months and had seen their awful ways, he knew

Catherine was afraid to walk into that room because she is constantly looked down upon more often

than the other cousins.

“It's okay. They might just find a reason to humiliate you.” Catherine said with worry still beaming in her

eyes.

“I'm going to support my wife, so I don't care what they say about me?” Rome said, smiling at

Catherine.

But she rolled her eyes at him, yet she couldn't help but faintly smile back.

“Fine. But don't say or do anything. My cousins are like bloodthirsty sharks waiting for the right time to

strike. Give them an upportunty and they will use it to their advantage.” Catherine mumbled.

“Okay, I won't,” Rome replied.

A few minutes later, both of them arrived in the study room and it seemed like the entire family was

already there.

“You successfully managed a project, and now you think you are above others, making everyone wait

on you,” Dana mumbled, glaring at Catherine and Rome.

“Why are you late? Didn't your cousin call for you a while ago?” Mr. Barlow said with a frown.

Staring at her grandfather, Catherine softly exhaled and said, “She did. I'm sorry, grandpa. It won't

happen again.”

But Mr. Barlow ignored her apology and gazed away from her.

“Are you two not going to sit down, or you guys are waiting for some special treatment. Also, why did

you bring your worthless man with you, he got nothing to offer to this meeting.” Elijah said, scowling at

Rome.

“I beg her to tag along because I want to learn,” Rome mumbled without meeting Elijah’s eyes.

No one spoke for a while as Rome and Catherine took their seat on the couch.

“Well, now that everyone is here. Chloe, your punishment has been lifted. You can return to work.” Mr.

Barlow said, clearing his throat.

“Thank you, grandfather. I promise that I have learned my lesson.” Chloe said, staring at Charles, Jeff,

and Richard, but they all avoided her gaze.

Although the four of them worked together, they weren't afraid to take each other down because the

only thing they all cared about was being the top inheritor of the family wealth.

“There are four huge accounts available. I heard, MC group, Roadland INC, Skylight company, and the

Fine wine industry are looking for a company to manage their projects.” Mr. Barlow said with a straight

face.

The Barlow family is well known for gaining their wealth from their company, “DreamTeam Serviceable”

which delivers projects for their customers, and it is about running projects as their business.

“Skylight company? I am friends with the chairman's son. I can handle getting the account.” Charles

said.

“Roadland INC and I have worked together before and the CEO was satisfied with my work, so I can

take over getting the account,” Jeff said, eyeing Charles's cold gaze.

The tension in the study intensifies within a matter of seconds.

“I can get the MC group's account if grandfather would allow me,” Catherine mumbled, avoiding staring

at her family's faces.

“Haha, do you think MC group is a small corporation like Greenfield company? Just because you

manage to handle such a small project, doesn't mean that you are ready for a incorporation like MC.”

Elijah said, staring at his father.

It fell silent for a minute, then Mr. Barlow stared at his wife, cleared his throat, and said, “Catherine, you

can sit this want out. Chloe will have the MC group, and Richard will handle the Fine wine industry.”

“But, grandfather.” Catherine cried, holding in her tears.

This was not the first time she had got overlooked and belittled and it was frustrating her, and when

Rome gazed at her, he could see hurt in her eyes, and it enraged him. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“How can you be so selfish? You had just worked on a project and your cousin had to stay home for

two months. Do you know how depressed she was? Can you feel pity towards your cousin?” Dana

said, scowling at Catherine.

“It was not my daughter's fault that your child had to stay home for such a long time, so why does she

have to feel pity towards her?” Catherine’s mother mumbled.

A frown settled on Mr. Barlow's face. Then he scowled at both women and gazed at Catherine’s father.

“Edward, your wife seems to be crossing the line. Get her in order!”

“Sorry, father. It won't happen again.” Catherine's father said, giving his wife an icy stare.

In the Company, Elijah had the highest accounts registered under him, and his connection in the

business world is wild, compared to his oldest brother, Edward was nothing but a mere shadow of his

brother's image.

“Mr. Ford will be having a party this weekend, and all the top-notch in the business circle are going to

be there. We got invited, and it's a perfect opportunity for us to get those accounts.” Mr. Barlow said.

At that moment, Madame Rosey’s gaze met Rome’s unbothered eyes, and she scowled at him.

“Don't embarrass our family. We all know your history with Mr. Ford, so behave yourself when we get

there.” Madame Rosey harshly said.

However, all Rome did was beam at her and nodded his head.

“Mother, he's just a fool with nothing to contribute to this family, so remind me why he's going again?”

William said, faintly chuckling.

“The entire family got an invitation, including him, that's why. If not, he would have stayed home with

the servants since there's no use in bringing him with us!” Madame Rosey said, rolling her eyes at

Rome.

When Catherine gazed at Rome, she couldn't help but feel bad that she was the reason he's getting

scolded by her family.

“Grandma, Rome is trying to be better. He's been doing some part-time jobs these past months, and

he’s been making a few dollars.” Catherine softly said, staring at her wedding ring as she twisted it on

her finger.

“Do you hear yourself, grandchild? The Barlow family son-in-law is a part-time worker? That's so

disgraceful! Keep your husband in check at the party.” Madam Rosey said.

“Yes, grandmother.”

“Good! This family has had enough humiliation for you too.”

After the meeting was over, Rome went back to the room, and at that moment, his phone rang, and he

answered the call.

“Young Master, your father wants to have a brunch with you at the BlackStar golf courtyard.” Mr.

Orlando’s voice echoed out of the phone speakers.

“What is this breakfast date about?” Rome asked, massaging the back of his neck.

Every interaction with the Barlow family had him feeling tense and excited at the same time.

“It's about your birthday party.”

“Okay. Pick me up at our usual meeting spot.”