The Faceless Billionaire Celebrity Wife-Chapter 342: In the Studio

The air in the room shifted suddenly, as the heavy doors to the studio swung open with a quiet creak. Instinctively, all heads turned toward the entrance. In strode the board members of Preston, their presence instantly commanding respect.

They moved in unison, a well-dressed and polished group, with their leader, Lady Preston, at the front. Her steps were steady and confident, though there was something different in her usually steely eyes, a slight look of deference as she approached Shikera and the crew members gathered nearby. Andrew followed close behind, his expression a picture of solemnity.

Lady Preston’s sharp gaze landed on Shikera, softening as she spoke. "Miss Anderson," she greeted, her tone surprisingly gentle, "You are down here already? I didn’t expect her here by this time." Her brows furrowed in worry, "You don’t look alright though?"

Shikera looked up, her expression calm and composed as she nodded. "That’s just the nerves, I’m totally alright. Thanks."

The older woman’s lips curled into a small smile, though it barely reached her eyes. "Good. We’re all eager for this to go smoothly. When will President DeLoach and the rest of the team be arriving?"

Shikera opened her mouth to answer, but before she could respond, the door swung open once again. The soft murmur that had settled over the room abruptly hushed, all eyes drawn toward the new arrivals.

Ethan strode into the room, flanked on either sides by the stone siblings, Ruthlyn and Raymond. His presence was magnetic, almost palpable as he stepped into the space. Dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit, with an equally dark coat, every inch of him exuded sophistication. His broad shoulders filled the fabric effortlessly, and his posture carried a quiet power.

The custom mask he wore—minimalist and sleek—covered the lower half of his face, a design both enigmatic and elegant. His dark hair, slightly tousled, fell just above his brow, adding an edge to his otherwise immaculate appearance. It was hard for anyone to take their eyes off him, as if he held the entire room in his grasp without even trying. Behind him, Ruthlyn wore a striking smile, her eyes alight with amusement, while Raymond’s usually serious demeanor had softened into something almost approachable. He also didn’t have a mask on, making it easy to distinguish him as Raymond Stone.

Shikera couldn’t help but stare, her lips curving into a smile as she took in Ethan’s appearance. He seemed both familiar and distant, an untouchable figure despite the fact that they saw each other earlier today, and that he’d dropped her off at the entrance and waited in the car until she texted him m. His presence tugged at something deep within her, a pull she had to ignore. They had agreed to keep the fact that they knew each other closely hidden from the public, but standing there now, it felt almost impossible to pretend.

Lady Preston didn’t need to ask before realizing this was the person they’d been waiting for. With her son and the other members flanking her on either sides, she took quickened steps to meet Ethan and his group halfway through the large studio.

"Welcome, Mr DeLoach. We didn’t expect you to arrive so early," she greeted, a reverent look in her eyes. Though, just like every other person present in the room at the moment, her eyes were glued on his mask. If their hard stares could tear it, the mask would be torn by now.

Stepping forward, Ruthlyn was the one who replied, "We were informed the show would only last for two hours. And since coming here early equals to leaving early; we had no reason to tarry." She shook Lady Preston and Andrew’s hand one after the other, engaging them in a short conversation while Ethan’s cold eyes searched the room for something... or rather, someone in particular.

And when he found her, her eyes also on him with a broad smile on her face, he was quick to avert his gaze and direct his attention back to the others in front of him.

Excited whispers spread through the studio, as every crew member and board member alike hurried toward the infamy Ethan DeLoach and Stone siblings. Since none of them were allowed in with their phones, there was nothing else to do than feast their eyes on the rare sight. Their rare appearance together in public having stirred more fascination than anyone, even Shikera, expected.

Maxwell, eager to maintain control, pushed his way to the front of the crowd, finally reaching Ethan and offering a respectful bow. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Mr. DeLoach," he greeted, his tone reverent, "Since you’re here already, we are ready to begin. Shall we proceed? I don’t want to take up too much of your time."

Ethan’s gaze flicked briefly toward Shikera, but his attention quickly returned to Maxwell, standing quietly off to the side.

"Of course," he replied, "As long as everyone is good to go, especially Miss Anderson, then I’m ready."

Maxwell brows furrowed.

"Well, Miss Anderson should be ready..." he flicked his gaze in Shikera’s direction, where she was trying to busy herself with her notepad, the only person in the room who seemed not to have noticed the powerful presences. "Shikera! Are we good to go?" he called out. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I am," she agreed, her voice more firm than she felt as she raised her head to Maxwell. She had maintain her composure. The rules were clear—they needed to act as if they didn’t know each other. The world had its eyes on him for today, and anything that hinted at a deeper connection between them could raise questions that his PR team couldn’t afford to answer.

By the end of today’s program, a lot of questions and speculations were to be expected. Especially questions on how she was able to get the almighty Ethan DeLoach onto the show.

Just like she’d told him at the garage few days ago, most people would want to make their own assumptions that her father bribed him into doing it.