HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 846

“Nothing.” Cale shrugged.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

Cale shifted slightly in his seat. Looking at Naomi with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Because you're worried about me.”

Naomi immediately turned her face away. “Don't flatter yourself.”

Unfortunately, that reaction only made Cale's smile widen.

After that, Naomi no longer brought up Brandon.

Not because all her curiosity had been satisfied, but because she knew Cale would not say any more tonight. And if the man had already made up his mind about something, forcing him to talk would only make Cale enjoy the situation even more.

Annoying.

Truly annoying.

But at least one thing managed to put her mind somewhat at ease. Cale knew who Brandon was and about his connection to Falcon. If Cale had chosen to work with him, that meant he had already ensured the security of their partnership.

Which meant none of it had escaped his attention.

They returned to the main hall not long afterward. The banquet was still underway, but the atmosphere was no longer as lively as before. Some guests had begun taking their leave. Others had gathered in small groups, continuing conversations that had been interrupted earlier.

Naomi returned to sit with Lydia and Chris. Occasionally, a few people came over to greet them, but there were no more conversations as draining as the ones earlier.

Perhaps it was because of Cale's presence. Or perhaps because everyone had already gotten enough entertainment for one night.

For some reason, Naomi felt the second possibility was more likely.

As the hour grew later, Silas finally announced the end of the banquet. The guests began leaving the Evermont family mansion one by one. Outside, the night air felt much colder than when they had arrived.

Naomi only realized how exhausted she was when she finally sat inside the car. Exhausted physically and mentally.

Too many things had happened in a single night. And Naomi did not want to think about any of them. Not to mention all the stares that had followed her from the moment she first entered the hall.

At first, she still tried to listen to the conversation taking place inside the car. Chris and Cale occasionally argued about something she did not fully understand. Lydia chimed in several times, while Vincent, seated in the front, seemed busy answering several work-related calls.

But as time passed, their voices seemed to grow farther and farther away. Her eyelids felt heavy. Naomi tried to fight it, but in the end, she failed. Her head gradually tilted to the side until it finally came to rest on Lydia's shoulder.

The woman turned her head. Her gaze immediately softened.

Without saying a word, Lydia brushed aside a few strands of hair that had fallen across Naomi's face. The girl did not even react. Her breathing was soft and steady, a clear sign that she was truly asleep.

“I’ll carry her,” Chris continued casually.

For several seconds, no one spoke. Then Cale let out a long breath. “I’m starting to regret letting you get too close to her.”

Chris chuckled softly, but he did not deny it. He climbed back into the car and carefully bent down. One arm slipped beneath Naomi’s knees while the other supported her back.

Strangely, Naomi did not wake up at all.

She merely wrinkled her nose slightly, then unconsciously reached for the edge of Chris’s suit jacket like someone searching for a comfortable position to sleep.

Chris froze for a moment, only for a fraction of a second. But it was enough for Lydia to notice. Because for the first time that night, Chris did not look like he was joking around.

“Don’t get any funny ideas, Chris,” the woman said.

“What do you think I’m going to do with a little girl who’s curled up asleep like a baby?” Chris protested with an annoyed sneer. “Anyway. Servant, show me where Naomi’s room is.”

The servant who had welcomed them immediately nodded and guided Chris, making sure nothing obstructed his path as he carried Naomi up to her room on the second floor.

Meanwhile, Cale simply watched the scene in front of him for a few moments before finally turning toward the mansion. “I really have a bad feeling about this.”

“Just let it be.” Lydia slipped her arm through her husband’s. “Besides, this was your idea, wasn’t it?”