”He’s here!” 

“His wife is finally here too!”

“I'm finally meeting the legate from my dreams!”

Cheers rang throughout the rooftop garden as Adrian and Samantha stepped out of the chopper. 

Samantha was shaking. Everything that was happening was like a dream. She was still shocked. She finally understood that she was not the CEO of the House of Bailar today, but the wife of the famous war legate. 

All eyes were on her. 

She turned around and saw Adrian coming down from the other chopper. He was in military uniform and looked grand—exuding an outstanding demeanor. 

The venue quieted down after the crew members stepped in. No one spoke but everyone was excitedly looking at Adrian and Samantha. Some of them were even jealous.

Samantha turned around and looked toward the crowd. She knew that she was the main character of the day and everyone was there to see her. 

She did not know wh

No matter how dumb they were, it was evident what was happening.

That was why Adrian said he could get an invite from the legate because he was legate!

The Cowells lost their minds. They all did.

They stood up and looked at the couple.

Hugo said, “Samantha, here! This way! It’s me, your Uncle Hugo!”

“Sam, look over here!” Francis waved at her too.

Never would they imagine that Adrian was the legate. If they had known, they would not have treated him the way they did.

Violet picked up her cane and waved it at Adrian too. “Adrian, Samantha, it’s your grandmother. I’m over here.”

The Cowells seemed to have forgotten how they treated Samantha before this and all they wanted to do was to get close to her.

However, the couple ignored them.

“Mother, we need to speak to Adrian!” Hugo said excitedly.

Violet nodded.

When the Cowells were going to leave their seats and walk over, they w

Everyone agreed with Nathan. If Samantha was shameless enough, she could get in by pretending to be a Cowell.

If she went in with Adrian, they would be so ashamed.

Violet rushed to the front desk and asked the receptionist and security guard. “If a woman named Samantha Cowell tries to get in saying that she’s with the Cowell family, do not let her enter.”

After they said okay, she went in with the rest of the family. Right before stepping in, she reminded everyone. “Behave yourselves. Everyone here is important.”

“Don’t worry, Grandmother. We won’t be humiliated as long as Samantha doesn't get in.” Clara smiled.

Violet nodded and went in.

***

At the conference venue, the rooftop garden.

The affluent families of Swallonston were there. All of them were well-known throughout the city.

People from the top four families were there too.

Two choppers were waiting on both sides of the venue. The legate and his wife would each fly into the venue in one of these choppers.

People standing in the rooftop garden were able to see that the building was surrounded. Six rows of soldiers working under Battle Warrior Lucas surrounded Swallow Central. Twenty armored vehicles were parked there.

The scene was majestic!

“Respect. This is all because of respect.” The Cowells grew excited upon seeing the place. Nathan spoke first because he was in awe of the scene.

Clara had never seen anything like this before, so she was giddy. “Samantha will never get the chance to see anything like this. The Cowells are respected here.”

“Clara is right. There are so many important figures here. It’s so lively. We’re going to meet the legate too. I’m just excited!” Francis started shaking.

This was not a chance just anyone would get.

Violet was just as excited. She too had never experienced anything like this before. She felt that her family was getting closer and closer to being affluent.

“Look! General Summers is coming!” someone suddenly said out loud.

Everyone stood up as Daniel walked in with a dozen men. Everyone started greeting him.

This made them even more thrilled. It was as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” Daniel walked over, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

Everyone took their seats and waited for him to speak.

“Today is a grand day. Battle Warrior Lucas is already here, and the legate and his wife will be arriving in choppers soon. Please remain calm.”

Everyone cheered after he said that. All the families there, including the Cowells, were elated.

Meanwhile, Harold was seated with the rest of the Xanders and they were taking everything in.

He shook excitedly. For the Xanders, the chance for their family to soar was here.

Everyone there started cheering.

***

Meanwhile, Samantha, Rue, and Adaline followed Derek through the VIP walkway. Samantha still had no idea what was happening.

Suddenly, Derek led them to an elevator and said, “Mrs. Rue, Ms. Adaline, please step into this elevator and head toward the rooftop. Someone will be waiting for you when you get there.”

“What about Sam?” Adaline asked when she heard this.

Derek smiled. “Ms. Samantha is unique. Please come with me, miss.”

He then gestured. Samantha looked in the direction he was gesturing and saw another special walkway, but she did not know where it led to.

“General, can I stay with Sam?” Adaline asked Derek as she was a little worried.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Samantha. Everywhere under the legate’s control is a safe place. We have professionals who will be with you all the way. Please don’t worry,” he responded.

Adaline did not want to press the matter after hearing this, but Samantha was still suspicious.

Samantha said to the other two, “Ada, Mother, I’ll see you guys upstairs.”

They both nodded and got into the elevator which went straight to the rooftop garden.

When they walked out, the crew members there ushered them to the VIP seats.

Back downstairs, Samantha walked through the special walkway and was shocked to see what was on the other side.

A chopper was parked right in the middle of Central Garden, and it was an armored one.

“What’s this?” Samantha stared at it blankly as she shuddered.

A woman stepped out of the chopper and walked toward her. “Ms. Samantha, please get into the chopper.”

“Wh-What’s happening?” Samantha looked at the chopper in awe and started feeling scared. Never in her wildest dreams would something as this happen.

What was going on? She had no clue and could not figure it out.

The woman smiled at her. “This way, miss.”

Samantha’s mind was blank. She followed the woman into the chopper and took her seat, then turned around and said, “Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll find out soon,” the woman replied.

Samantha’s heart thumped as her suspicion grew stronger and stronger. She had no idea who had arranged all of this.

***

Time ticked past. Everyone invited had arrived at the conference venue.

Daniel stepped onto the stage and said, “Welcome, friends of Swallowston. I now announce that the investment conference for Swallow Central has now begun!”

There were cheers off-stage.

“The time that everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived. Now, let’s welcome the war legate and his onto the stage!”

“Wow!” Applause rang out and some women screamed in delight. Everyone was cheering.

Two armored choppers slowly descended toward the landing pad and touched down.

“They’re here!”

“The legate and his wife are here!”

All eyes were on the two choppers. Slowly but surely, the legate in his full uniform and his elegantly beautiful wife stepped out…

”He’s here!” 

“His wife is finally here too!”

“I'm finally meeting the legate from my dreams!”

Cheers rang throughout the rooftop garden as Adrian and Samantha stepped out of the chopper. 

Samantha was shaking. Everything that was happening was like a dream. She was still shocked. She finally understood that she was not the CEO of the House of Bailar today, but the wife of the famous war legate. 

All eyes were on her. 

She turned around and saw Adrian coming down from the other chopper. He was in military uniform and looked grand—exuding an outstanding demeanor. 

The venue quieted down after the crew members stepped in. No one spoke but everyone was excitedly looking at Adrian and Samantha. Some of them were even jealous.

Samantha turned around and looked toward the crowd. She knew that she was the main character of the day and everyone was there to see her. 

She did not know why, but tears started rolling down her cheeks. She was crying. 

Adrian, who was standing next to her

Chapter 20