Free Web NovelChapter 21: Chapter 21 Buffalo Wings
Sylvia’s POV
I caught Caesar’s eyes, reading his silent message: don’t run away, face this.
With a deep breath, I rolled down the window, meeting Zane’s furious gaze with feigned confusion. "Something you need, Zane?"
Zane’s eyes widened when he spotted Caesar inside the car. His expression darkened as he attempted to make out my companion’s features in the dim parking lot lighting.
"Sylvia," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "Already found your next meal ticket, I see? No wonder you had the nerve to speak to me that way at the gala. Found yourself a rich boyfriend already?"
Beside him, Chloe leaned in with a poisonous smile. "Honestly, Sylvia, if you’re going to hook up with someone for their money, couldn’t you at least find someone more impressive? He doesn’t look like much from here."
Heat rushed to my face, anger burning through my veins. The audacity of these two was truly breathtaking.
"Are you seriously this delusional, Zane?" I responded, my voice carrying the chill of a winter storm. "Who I spend my time with is absolutely none of your business. And Chloe," I shifted my gaze to her, letting my Alpha energy seep into my stare, "you might want to mind that tongue of yours before it gets you into trouble you can’t handle."
Without waiting for their response, I hit the button to roll up the window, effectively cutting off whatever retort they might have had prepared.
Caesar nodded to the driver, who smoothly pulled away from the curb, leaving the fuming couple behind us.
In the rearview mirror, I could see Zane violently kick a nearby trash can, his shout just audible through the closed windows: "You’ll regret this, Sylvia! This isn’t over!"
Chloe tugged at his arm, her voice sickeningly sweet. "Zane, honey, don’t let her get to you. She’s just trying to make you jealous."
"Jealous?" Zane laughed bitterly. "If she thinks this pathetic display will make me come crawling back, she’s delusional." freewebnovel.cσ๓
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Inside the car, I was still seething, taking deep breaths to calm the fury coursing through my body. Zane’s venomous words had lodged themselves under my skin like splinters, irritating and impossible to ignore.
I snuck a glance at Caesar, who seemed completely unruffled by the encounter. He was scrolling through something on his phone, his handsome profile illuminated by the screen’s soft glow.
"About what Zane said," I began hesitantly, choosing my words carefully. "You shouldn’t take any of that seriously. He’s just being a complete asshole, talking nonsense."
Caesar chuckled softly, reaching over to place his warm hand over mine. The simple touch sent a surprising tingle up my arm.
"I know," he replied, his deep voice reassuring.
His hand felt strong and warm around my cooler fingers, a steady anchor when I needed one most.
"Are you sure?" I pressed, still concerned. Zane’s words had been deliberately hurtful, designed to wound. "I just want to be clear that whatever was between me and him is completely over."
"I believe you," he said, his fingers gently brushing against my cheek in a touch so tender it made my breath catch. "Don’t let irrelevant people ruin your night. They’re not worth your energy."
My heart skipped a beat, warmth spreading through my body that had nothing to do with embarrassment or anger. Something about his quiet confidence and understanding touched me in a way I hadn’t expected.
For the first time, I wondered if this whirlwind marriage to Caesar might actually be something good.
When we arrived home, I was stunned to find that Caesar had arranged for a full meal to be prepared—all my favorite dishes waiting on the elegantly set dining table.
The delicious aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air as the crystal chandelier cast a warm glow over the fine china and gleaming silverware.
I stared at the feast before me, particularly drawn to what looked like perfectly prepared Buffalo Wings. Taking one, I bit into it, savoring the tender meat and rich, spicy flavor that exploded across my taste buds.
"How did you know Buffalo Wings are my favorite?" I couldn’t help asking, curiosity evident in my voice.
Caesar only smiled without answering my question. Instead, he placed a piece of grilled ribs into my bowl.
"Try this, it’s delicious too," he suggested, his voice deep and soothing.
I stared at the meat in my bowl, feeling a strange mixture of emotions churning inside me. During the three years I spent with Zane, he never even bothered to learn what foods I liked. Yet Caesar, who I’d married on a whim, showed such thoughtfulness toward me.
The contrast made my heart ache and touched me deeply at the same time. My mind drifted back to dinners with Zane, where he always ordered without consulting me, choosing only what he preferred.
Once, I had gathered the courage to say I wanted something spicy, and Zane had frowned, saying, "Why would a she-wolf want something so spicy? It’s bad for your skin."
A cold laugh rose in my throat at the memory. Bad for my skin? My inner wolf growled at the remembered slight.
Now, Caesar had laid out all my favorite dishes before me. This feeling of being considered, of being important enough to remember such details, felt both foreign and wonderfully warm.
Caesar must have noticed my hesitation. He set down his utensils and looked at me, his voice gentle. "What’s wrong? Not to your liking?"
I quickly shook my head. "No, it’s delicious."
"Then eat more." He smiled, ladling some soup into a bowl for me. "You’ve been working hard lately. You need to take care of yourself."
I accepted the soup, taking a small sip. The warm liquid slid down into my stomach, warming not just my body but my heart as well. My wolf purred contentedly at his attention, something that surprised me given how recently we’d met. There was something about Caesar that resonated with my hidden Alpha nature.
As I set the bowl down, I suddenly remembered the purpose of attending tonight’s gala, and a small pang of disappointment rose within me.
"By the way," I asked casually, "do you know the CEO of Vertex Group?"
Caesar’s hand paused mid-movement as he was about to pick up some food. He raised his eyes to meet mine.
"Why do you ask about him so suddenly?"
I felt my eyes dart away for a moment. "Nothing really. I just went to the gala hoping to meet Vertex’s mysterious CEO. I’ve heard he’s quite impressive and wanted to... learn from him."
I laughed awkwardly. "But he never showed up. Probably too busy. Maybe next time."
Caesar set down his chopsticks and gazed at me intensely, his lips curving into an enigmatic smile. Something in his stare made my wolf stand at attention, sensing power.
"Oh? You wanted to meet him? Why?"
I felt strangely nervous under his gaze, my eyes unable to hold his. "Just... just wanted to meet a major player in the industry, expand my network. It could help my career..."
"Is that so?" Caesar’s tone was neutral, impossible to read. "How much do you know about him?"
"Not much," I admitted, fumbling for words. "Just that he’s young, capable, and built Vertex Group into what it is today. Pretty impressive..."
"Vertex projects aren’t easy to secure," Caesar said, putting down his utensils and wiping his mouth with a napkin in a graceful motion. His voice carried a hint of deeper meaning.
His eyes settled on my face with a playful glint. "You need to work hard."
"Of course," I replied with determination. "I must land that Vertex project!"
"However..." I set down my fork, my voice hesitant. "I need to visit Frostline Enterprises tomorrow."
Caesar raised an eyebrow. "Going to Frostline? What for? To deal with Leo?" he asked casually, though his voice carried an unmistakable chill. My wolf immediately recognized the protective dominance in his tone – it was Alpha King.
I jerked my head up, staring at him in surprise. "How did you know?"
Caesar looked at my surprised expression, his lips curving into an indulgent smile. His eyes softened with something that looked remarkably like devotion.
"Because I understand you," he said simply.
He reached out and gently ruffled my hair, his touch sending tingling sensations down my spine. My wolf leaned into the contact before I could stop myself.
"Go ahead and do what you need to do," he said softly. "I’ve got your back."
