He Waited She Wilted (Ottilie and Yorath) novel Chapter 286

Nyssa sat obediently next to Jevon, keeping her head down and sipping her tea.

At the phrase "keeps me up at night," her heart skipped a beat.

She leaned in and whispered to Jevon, "Is Yorath in a bad mood lately?"

Jevon lowered his voice to reply, "Yeah, terrible. He chewed Yvonne out earlier today and even docked her pay."

"Kendrick has been off the grid for over ten hours. Did you know?"

"Is that so?" Jevon feigned surprise before offering comfort. "It's fine. He's an adult; you can't even file a missing person's report until twenty-four hours have passed. Being out of touch for a few hours is completely normal."

Nyssa nodded.

But her anxiety only deepened.

She glanced over at Shawn and felt a fraction more secure.

Yorath's slow, deliberate voice carried across the room again. "Admiring the lotuses is getting a bit dull. Nyssa, why don't you perform an aria for us? Let everyone enjoy your talent."

Opera was her specialty, but being suddenly singled out made her freeze.

It took Jevon repeating it in her ear before she finally stood up. Walking to the center of the room, she forced a smile. "I'll do my best. I'll perform an aria from 'Tosca'."

She had an excellent voice and sang the piece flawlessly.

The room broke into applause.

"Magnificent... simply wonderful!" Heath praised loudly. "Like the tragic heroine of the piece, waiting faithfully for a man, only to enjoy her reward for a few fleeting days before losing it all. At least she got to enjoy it for a moment. You, Ms. Tarrant, played the devoted martyr and ended up with absolutely nothing!"

The barb was an obvious shot at Yorath's lack of gratitude.

Yorath sat dominantly on the sofa. Ignoring the jab, he looked down at Ottilie. "This pastry is excellent. Take a bite, I guarantee you'll love it."

He lifted it directly to her lips.

With so many eyes on them, Ottilie didn't want to undermine his authority, so she took a small bite.

Her bright red lips and delicate tongue created a picture too beautiful for words.

Yorath's gaze darkened. He subtly shifted his body to block everyone else's view, unwilling to share the sight of his treasure.

While putting on this public display of affection, he had absorbed every word Heath said.

Lifting his gaze, Yorath said, "I wasn't aware Nyssa was playing the martyr for me. I haven't enjoyed a single benefit from it. Has Mr. Heath, perhaps?"

"Handle it for now. I can't leave."

Heath hung up. Gripping the armrests of his chair, murder flared in his eyes before he quickly suppressed it.

"Mr. Fordham, I have a small matter I'd like to discuss with you in private."

Yorath looked down at Ottilie with a smile. "Do I have your permission?"

She didn't understand why he was asking her about this.

She had no right to restrict his freedom, so she just nodded.

Yorath stood up. "Follow me, Mr. Heath. We can talk in the tea room in the back."

Heath got up and walked over to Nyssa. "Why don't you join us, Ms. Tarrant?"

Nyssa initially wanted to play dumb and refuse.

But the words died in her throat as she remembered Heath claiming he had a way to get her out of Yorath's grasp.

If she turned him down now, she might not get another chance.