Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
As soon as the handshake ended, the others piled in.
“Can’t play favorites. You shook her hand – you’ve got to shake ours too.”
Yunice obliged, smiling gently at each one.
Once the greetings were done, the woman named Maine threw an arm around Yunice’s shoulders and pulled her into the room like they were old friends. “We’re all Wyatt’s close friends. And of course, I am too!”
“If you ever need anything, just say the word – we’ve got your back!”
Yunice smiled faintly. The words sounded nice, but the tone made it clear – this was a declaration from someone in a superior position.
Only someone in charge would say they were “covering” someone else.
And the casual arm around her shoulders? That was the body language of someone treating her like a tagalong sidekick.
But if Yunice pushed back, she’d come across as overly sensitive or snobbish.
She kept her expression easy and said, “I don’t have much to offer, but I do know a little traditional medicine passed down through my family. If anyone has an annoying little health issue, I can probably help.”
Maine grinned, loud and carefree. “I know a ton of international medical experts. If you’re ever looking for a mentor, just say the word – I’ll hook you up.”
No wonder they’re Wyatt’s inner circle, Yunice thought. None of them pull their punches.
Maine had smoothly brushed off her offer and regained control of the moment.
Yunice followed her lead and sat down beside her, still smiling. “That’s too bad. Academician Laurie Shen’s already taken me in as her final apprentice. If she hears I’m trying to switch mentors, she’ll probably smack me with a test tube.”
Someone cut in. “Laurie took you on?”
Most people might not understand what that meant – but these people did.
Laurie was one of the founding members of Wellinges Pharma. If she weren’t so eccentric and lacking in social tact, she might have already become part of this very group.
That was why, when Laurie first met Yunice, she had no problem dragging her straight to confront Wyatt. Laurie might be rigid and sharp-tongued, but agreeing to mentor Yunice meant she respected her.
Yunice added smoothly, “I helped out on the recent ward research project, so Academician Shen broke her own rule and made me her last disciple.”
Translation: I’ve got real skills. Got it?
Maine smirked. “No wonder everyone says Wyatt spoils you. He really went all out polishing your r?sum?. But hey, with solid credentials, no one can dig up dirt on you.”
Yunice turned to her, brows slightly raised. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Were you implying Wyatt faked my credentials?”
She looked innocently at Wyatt. “Wyatt, is that true?”
The others shot each other amused glances around Yunice, exchanging looks with Maine.
Their expressions practically said it all: Yup, definitely not easy to deal with.
Of course she’s smart – how else could she get Wyatt to fall for her?
Wyatt waited for the dust to settle before walking over to sit beside Yunice. He swept his gaze across the room. “Anyone here got a problem with my wife?”
His teasing tone made the others laugh it off.
“We were just joking around. You gonna get all defensive now? When did you turn into such a softie?”
“Call her your sister-in-law,” Wyatt said.
“Tch, I’m older than you!”
Wyatt wrapped an arm around Yunice’s waist. “Then why don’t you have a wife?”
Across the room, someone scoffed, “Listen to you.”
Wyatt shot a careless look at the group. “I don’t care if any of you date or not, but just know-whoever brings a partner here in the future, however you treat my wife today is exactly how I’ll treat yours.”
He bit down on a cigarette, while Yunice leaned casually against his arm, the curve of her smile cool and composed-like a queen holding court.
Maine let out a loud laugh. “Alright, alright, we’ll stop teasing. You make it sound like we’ve been bullying your wife.”
Then she turned to Yunice. “He was the first of us lonely singles to betray the cause. We just wanted to see for ourselves-what kind of charm does it take to make someone like him settle down?”
People at their level rarely went out of their way to pick on others for no reason.
Yunice smiled. “I used to be all for staying single, too. But Wyatt had something special that made me change my mind. That’s why I’m here, meeting all of you.”
Maine froze, genuinely caught off guard.
A few seconds later, the rest of the group caught on to the sarcasm buried in Yunice’s words.
To these “chosen few,” it had always seemed obvious that Yunice came from a lower tier-that someone like her must have used tricks or luck to snag a man like Wyatt.
But from Yunice’s point of view, their relationship was between equals. Why couldn’t it have been Wyatt who won her over?
Was someone like her not worth chasing?
Besides… Yunice knew the truth. Wyatt had used tricks to get her to marry him.
Maine forced a smile, brushing it off and moving the conversation forward.
But Yunice’s quiet pushback did its job: the group backed off from using social rank to suppress her.
She understood perfectly-Wyatt could defend her all he wanted, but that kind of protection would only breed resentment.
Reputation wasn’t given. It had to be earned. Only when she stood firm would people stop looking down on her.
As the awkward silence settled, one of Wyatt’s buddies called out, “What are we all just sitting around for? Come on, help me pick out some drinks.”
He tugged on Wyatt. “C’mon, man. Stop clinging to your wife-it’s embarrassing! You think she’s gonna vanish if you let go for five minutes?”
Maine stood too. “I’ll go with you. It’s been ages since we all hung out. Gotta toast properly tonight for Yunice’s sake!”
Calling Yunice by name, casually and directly, was her way of signaling that Yunice was now one of them-at least on the surface.
Naturally, Wyatt couldn’t hover by Yunice’s side all evening.
A few left to get drinks, while others stayed behind to chat with her.
But because of how sharp Yunice had come across earlier, no one dared tease her again.
Outside the private room, Wyatt and his buddies headed toward the bar.
One of them nudged him. “So, how was that massage oil I gave you last time?”
Wyatt replied, “Mediocre.”
“Mediocre?” The man raised his voice in disbelief, then quickly lowered it. “No way. Your wife didn’t react?”
Wyatt gave him a cold stare. “Was that stuff even legit?”
“Of course it was. Your wife’s the one who’s not letting you sleep with her, right? That stuff guarantees she won’t be able to resist. And if she can resist, then something’s wrong with her.”