Citrine didn’t notice anything unusual, but Sebastian caught every flicker of emotion on the others’ faces.
Damn that bastard—did they really think he was invisible?
Sebastian clenched his jaw, cursing Vester under his breath for having no shame.
Not far away, Darius Archer glared daggers at Citrine, his face twisted with resentment.
So that was it. No wonder things had gone sideways—someone from his own family was conspiring with that infuriating Northriver girl. If only he’d taken care of her when she still lived under his roof. And that traitor—he should’ve smothered the brat when he was a child.
Meanwhile, Vester seemed entirely focused on Citrine, so caught up in the Northriver girl that he didn’t even notice the venomous look Darius was shooting his way.
He turned to Citrine, voice earnest. “Ms. Carmichael, would you mind stepping outside for a moment?”
“Of course.” After all, he had helped her earlier—she couldn’t refuse.
She glanced back at Sebastian. “I’ll just be a moment.”
Once Citrine and Vester left the room, Sebastian’s carefully composed expression fell away.
He stalked off to a quiet corner, face hardening, unable to hide his frustration any longer.
Ileana’s eyes followed him hungrily. She’d thought they’d never meet again, but fate, it seemed, had a sense of humor. With her father’s bankruptcy, her mood had been sour anyway—what better time to find a man to blow off some steam? And here he was, practically delivered to her doorstep.
Confidence had always come naturally to Ileana. She picked up a glass of wine and sauntered over.
“Mr. Vesper. Fancy seeing you again.”
She flicked her hair, gaze full of certainty, as if she’d already won.
Sebastian looked up, his mood already dark, his expression turning positively glacial.
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