Free Web NovelChapter 211: Chapter 211
Aria’s POV
I didn’t look up immediately. I finished chewing, calm and unhurried. Across from me, Stephan froze, his fork hovering midair.
“Stephan Morris?” Ken sneered, his refined appearance cracking instantly. “I didn’t think anyone still wanted to sit at a table with you.”
The insult was crude and intentional.
Stephan’s hand tightened slightly around his fork. The movement was subtle, but my wolf noticed.
I set my utensils down and lifted my gaze, my eyes cool as moonlight. “What?” I asked flatly. “Can’t afford your own meal? Came over to beg?”
“Pfft—”
Francis nearly spat out his tea.
He swallowed it down hastily, coughing as he covered his mouth. I glanced at him, helplessly amused. He waved it off with an apologetic smile, regaining his composure.
Sophia’s face drained of color.
Her gaze sharpened as it landed on me, dark and unsettled.
“Sis,” Sophia said stiffly, “Nathan would be surprised if he saw you like this.”
“Surprised?” I took a slow sip of my tea, utterly composed. “He already knows enough. There’s nothing for him to be surprised about.”
I let my eyes linger on her for a heartbeat longer.
“It’s only you,” I added mildly, “who still thinks otherwise.”
The implication struck home.
Sophia’s complexion shifted between pale and flushed, frustration warring with disbelief. She was surprised at how lethal my tongue had become even though that shouldn’t be new to her anymore.
Francis glanced sideways at Sophia, then at Ken glaring daggers at Stephan. Annoyance flickered across his usually detached face.
He set his cup down gently.
“Ms. Darvin,” he said coolly, addressing Sophia without warmth, “could you and your... Ken step aside?”
His eyes hardened slightly.
“You’re ruining our appetite.”
For a split second, the words hit me wrong.
I choked.
“—cough, cough!”
I grabbed a napkin in time, pressing it over my mouth and nose as I bent forward. My wolf startled, hackles rising slightly. Francis was already there, his hand settling on my back, patting gently but firmly.
When I finally caught my breath, I shot him a sideways look, amused despite myself. So Francis Murray isn’t as mild-mannered as he pretends. Who would’ve guessed he could cut so cleanly with words?
Francis met my gaze and lifted an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“Francis,” Sophia snapped, her voice sharp with anger, “do you really think so highly of yourself? Hemsworth Group doesn’t need your help anymore! Who are you to challenge me? And this is a public place, where I stand is none of your business!”
Her scent spiked with embarrassment laced with fury.
I frowned, irritation crawling up my spine. My wolf huffed. Some people really do exhaust the air around them.
Before I could speak, Ken puffed out his chest, his hands on his hips, basking in borrowed arrogance.
“Sophia is Alpha Nathan’s darling now,” he declared smugly. “Forget this ordinary restaurant, if she kicked you out, you’d have to obey!”
The pride rolling off him was almost laughable.
I took another bite calmly, chewing slowly. “Does Nathan know that she is his darling?” I asked lightly.
That did it.
Francis’s indifference and my casual mockery drained the color from their faces. Ken whirled on Stephan, redirecting his frustration.
“Your reputation in the legal field is ruined!” he sneered. “Your old friends abandoned you, didn’t they? I can’t believe you’ve fallen so low, associating with people like this!”
Two insults in one breath. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
I exchanged a glance with Francis. Both of us twitched slightly.
Does he think we’re prey? my wolf wondered coolly. Or just stupid?
I rubbed my temples. My patience was fraying.
“If you don’t leave,” I said flatly, “we’ll see whether Nathan’s luna carries more weight than your... ambiguous relationship title.”
I slammed my fork down.
The sharp clink echoed like a warning snap of jaws.
I hated invoking Nathan’s name.
But I wasn’t foolish enough to deny its effect.
Sophia stiffened. Heads had turned; nearby diners were openly watching now. Left with no choice, she retreated to her seat with Ken, scarfing down a few bites before standing up again.
Before leaving, she shot me a vicious glare.
I met it calmly.
Using Nathan’s name left a faint bitter taste in my mouth, but nothing more. His name carried power, that was fact. And lately... his behavior had made me wonder whether his attachment to Sophia was truly what I’d once believed.
My thoughts tangled briefly before I shook them off. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
The word Luna is just a name, I reminded myself. A title. And as long as we’re married, I owe no one an explanation.
I looked up and finally noticed the strange tension at the table.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Stephan’s hand trembled slightly around his fork. His head was lowered, his shoulders heavy.
“Attorney Aria,” he said quietly, “you and Mr. Murray are intelligent people. You must’ve heard what Ken said earlier. Is there... nothing you want to ask me?”
I studied him.
The dimness in his eyes, the struggle beneath his calm was unmistakable.
Francis took a measured sip of tea. “If I invited you,” he said evenly, “it means I investigated you.”
Stephan nodded, surprised but understanding. “Even so... you have no questions?”
