Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 170

Chapter 170

How fucking pathetic I was, I thought, stirring the pot with more

force than necessary, splashing some of the broth onto the counter.

When I carried the silver tureen into the dining room, I froze, nearly

dropping the heavy dish. Drake sat at the head of the table, his cold

eyes fixed on me. The soup nearly sloshed over the sides as my hands

shook violently.

“Drake,” I acknowledged, my voice remarkably even despite the way

my heart hammered against my ribs. “I didn’t know you’d be joining

us.”

“Evidently,” he replied, his gaze sweeping over me like a physical

touch.

Miranda beamed. “Elsa made your favorite soup, Drake! The silver fish

one you used to request every Sunday.”

I set the tureen down carefully, wiping my sweaty palms against my

skirt. “Oh, that was years ago. When we were young and didn’t know

better.” I met his eyes directly, chin lifting defiantly. “I’m sure your

tastes have… evolved since then.”

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Chapter 170

Something flickered in his eyes–anger? Surprise? I couldn’t tell, but

the satisfaction of provoking any reaction made my pulse quicken.

“How thoughtful,” he said, his voice like ice.

Throughout dinner, Mrs. Stone sang my praises. “Such a considerate

girl,” she said pointedly, while I pushed food around my plate. “Much

better than those self–important types who think a good family name

is all that matters.”

I felt Drake’s eyes boring into me as I described my mother’s

improving condition, my fork stabbing at my food between sentences.

“The silver poisoning has stabilized.

“Wonderful news,” Marcus said warmly. “I’ve always admired Lillian’s

spirit.”

Drake cleared his throat, interrupting the conversation. “Wasn’t there

business you wanted to discuss with me?”

I stood abruptly, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. “I should

1. go. It’s getting late.”

“Nonsense!” Mrs. Stone protested. “I’ve prepared my special berry tart

for dessert. Your favorite, if I recall correctly.”

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Chapter 170

“Please stay,” Miranda added, reaching for my hand. “We’ve missed

you around here.”

Marcus nodded, his expression making it clear that in his mind, I was

a far better match for his son than Vera could ever be.

I reluctantly agreed to stay for dessert and headed back to the

kitchen, muttering curses under my breath as I went to help prepare

1. it. As I reached for plates in the upper cabinet, stretching on tiptoe, I

sensed a presence behind me. The hair on my neck stood up before I

even caught his scent, a shiver running down my spine.

“Your little scheme worked beautifully,” Drake’s voice came low and

dangerous. “They’re all charmed by your grateful little Omega act.”

I whirled to face him, nearly knocking over a glass in the process, my

chest heaving. “There’s no fucking scheme. I’m genuinely grateful for

your father’s help.”

“Is that why you’re buying my family trinkets? Learning their

manipulation tactics?”

I reached past him for the dessert forks, accidentally brushing flour

from my hands onto his immaculate black suit. I stammered an

apology, instinctively reaching to brush it away, cursing my

clumsiness.

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