HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 841

After that, the atmosphere of the party gradually returned to normal.

Although some guests still occasionally glanced in Naomi and Chris’s direction, no one openly questioned their relationship anymore. At least for the time being.

Brandon remained with them for quite a while. His presence shifted most of the guests’ attention away from Naomi and onto him. And for the first time that evening, Naomi was able to breathe a little easier.

Meanwhile, Falcon had moved away from the table where they had been sitting and talking, and where no one had paid him any attention. They had not even noticed when he left.

Most of the conversations among them revolved around business. About TnC Group’s new projects in Carrington Bay, which companies were beginning to establish partnerships with the Devereux family, and various expansion plans that Naomi did not truly understand.

She mostly listened in silence.

Unlike Lydia, who never fell behind in conversations related to business. Naomi found herself admiring more and more how the woman matched her partner, Cale Miller, who was known as an exceptional businessman.

Occasionally, someone would ask Naomi a question. About her life in Carrington Bay. About the university she wanted to attend. About how she was adapting to her new life.

Naomi answered only as much as necessary, exactly as Lydia had taught her.

Even so, there was a significant difference between Naomi and Lydia when it came to handling a banquet like this. Lydia appeared completely composed. As though there were no situation capable of making her lose control.

Unlike herself.

Perhaps that was why Naomi was beginning to feel a little tired.

“I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”

Chris, seated beside her, immediately turned toward her. “Do you need company?”

Naomi shot him a sharp look. “No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Chris.”

The man immediately raised both hands in surrender while Brandon chuckled softly at Naomi’s irritated expression.

Naomi shook her head lightly and walked away from them.

The farther she moved from the main hall, the fainter the soft music that had been playing all evening became. The bustle of the party gradually faded behind her, replaced by the much quieter atmosphere of the mansion’s corridors.

For a moment, Naomi enjoyed it.

She let out a long breath.

Allowing herself to truly be alone after spending the entire evening as the center of attention for people she barely knew. But her steps gradually slowed when she heard someone mention her name.

At first, it was only a passing remark—very quiet, almost impossible to hear. But it was enough to make Naomi turn her head.

The voice came from a small lounge not far from the corridor leading to the restroom. Several members of the Devereux family were standing there, enjoying their drinks. Some of the faces looked familiar. Others Naomi had only seen once or twice before.

They were unaware of her presence.

And Naomi had no intention of eavesdropping—at least not at first.

“So it’s really true?”

Naomi stopped walking.

“If Naomi is engaged, why hasn’t there been an official announcement?”

“That’s a good question.”

“I’ve been wondering the same thing.”

Naomi frowned in disbelief at what she had just heard. She should have kept walking. She knew that. But for some reason, her feet refused to move.

“Maybe because everything is still too new.”

“If it’s that new, then why Chris Miller?”

The question immediately made the atmosphere grow quieter.

Someone had asked it in a firm voice filled with caution.

“That’s exactly what makes me suspicious.”

That statement suddenly plunged the lounge into silence. No one immediately argued against it. Instead, several people appeared to be considering the possibility. Because what Silas had said had led them to think that way.

And that only made Naomi angrier.

They spoke as though they knew everything. As though they understood everything that had happened.

But they didn’t.

They had never seen what Cale had done for her. Even if he sometimes appeared selfish, Naomi could feel the sincerity behind everything Cale had done so far. All they saw was the final outcome.

And from that alone, they drew their conclusions.

Naomi’s fingers slowly curled into fists at her sides. Her jaw tightened. The longer she listened, the harder it became to remain standing there in silence.

What exactly did they mean? If they truly had questions, why not say them directly to Cale’s face? Why talk behind his back like this? Why did they sound as though they cared so much about her when all they had discussed was influence, power, and position?

Naomi’s breathing began to feel heavy. She had heard enough. More than enough, and she no longer wanted to hold herself back.

Especially when it came to Silas.

From the moment she started listening to this conversation, everything Silas said had guided them toward questioning Cale.

Without realizing it, she took a step forward.

She had only one intention: to walk into that lounge and ask them directly what exactly they meant by all of this.

But just as she was about to pass the corner of the corridor, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“Ah!”

A startled cry immediately escaped Naomi’s lips. Her heart pounded so hard that she nearly lost her balance. She spun around quickly, ready to scold whoever had dared touch her without permission.

Although...

She was also gripped by an overwhelming sense of fear. The incident at that banquet still had not completely left her mind. Unfortunately, because of that cry, someone inside the lounge immediately called out in a raised voice.

“Who’s there?!”