From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 449

Chapter 449

Chapter 253: Calder Hudson

Savannah

When Reginald pushed his chair back and stood, I was ready for the axe to fall.

I felt it in my bones–that familiar tightening in my chest that came whenever power decided to remind you exactly where you stood beneath it. I expected

ne here was over. I expected a dismissal. him to announce that my decision was irrelevant, that my stubborn defiance had merely entertained him, that

Punishment. Retaliation.

Instead, he simply stood. Very slowly.

The scrape of wood against marble echoed far louder than it should have in the vast dining hall. Every movement he made felt calculated, choreographed, as though he knew every pair of eyes–mine included–was trained on him. And he loved it.

He reached for his cane and Cassandra rose beside him at once, smooth and silent, like she’d rehearsed it a thousand times.

And I noticed, unlike the first time I met her. She rarely spoke. She’d never said a word all night.

Then Reginald spoke, dragging me out of my thoughts. “Good choice, Miss Hart. I wish you all the best.”

That was all. No venom. No challenge. No hint of the storm I’d braced myself for. Just that.

For a moment, I wondered if I’d misheard him.

He didn’t look at me as he said it. Didn’t wait to see my reaction. Didn’t grant me the satisfaction of acknowledgement. He merely turned and began to walk away, his cane tapping lightly against the floor.

Тар.

Тар.

Тар.

Each step almost felt like a countdown.

“You see that young, hot–looking guy over there?” Riley whispered suddenly, nudging my arm.

I blinked, startled out of my thoughts.

She gestured discreetly toward the guard who’d been standing behind Reginald’s seat earlier,

I followed her gaze just in time to see the man stride after Reginald, posture straight, movements controlled, eyes forward.

“Yes,” I murmured.

“That,” Riley said, “is exactly why River couldn’t stop staring at the door.”

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Chapter 449

turned so quickly the room tilted. “Are they…” I hesitated, searching for the right word. “Together?”

Riley scoffed softly. “Please. No.”

She glanced toward the door again, as if hoping the man might turn around so she can get a glimpse of his face again.

“That is Calder Hudson,” she said. “Chief Protective Officer to General Reginald Blackwood.” She smiled faintly, almost fondly. “And River’s been crazy in

love with him forever.”

I frowned. “Does he know?”

Riley burst out laughing. “Of course not. That man has the emotional intelligence of a brick wall. River

remember, and he’s never noticed. Not once.”

heart–eyes at him since before I can

I studied River again.

“And she still likes him?” I asked quietly.

Riley shrugged. “You can’t blame her. He’s hot. Like–criminally hot. You should see him working out or riding a horse. Full–on erotic cinema.”

She fanned herself dramatically.

I wrinkled my nose. “Doesn’t matter how hot he is. If I’d had feelings for someone for years and they never noticed feelings would die quicker than they bloomed.”

Riley snorted. “Yeah, right.”

But Reginald wasn’t completely out of the room yet. He’d only gone a few feet when he stopped.

My spine stiffened. And I’m sure Riley’s did too. Did he perhaps… hear us?

or barely acknowledged me, those

He turned. But this time toward Reese.

“Zachary,” he said calmly, his voice carrying effortlessly across the table. “I’d like to see you in my office tomorrow after breakfast. Don’t be late.”

Reese didn’t hesitate. “Yes, Father.”

Reginald’s gaze drifted over the rest of his children then, slow and assessing, like a general surveying troops.

“Dinner was lovely, as always,” he continued mildly. “But someone should inform Grace that if it requires as much force as ploughing a field simply to bite into my steak, then the stables will be gaining a new occupant.”

Alex snorted, unable to stop himself.

Reginald didn’t acknowledge it. “Good night,” he said.

And then he was gone.

How cruel.

The door closed behind him with a quiet finality that somehow felt louder than a slam.

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From Best Friend To Flancé