She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 140

Lyra swallowed hard, not saying a word.

Right on cue, Charles and his wife stepped through the front door.

Arthur immediately surged to his feet, a warm, welcoming smile plastered across his face as he extended a hand. "Commissioner Jameson, Victoria. Thank you so much for coming. Please, have a seat."

Delilah's tone was incredibly gracious. "We've been looking forward to this all week. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

Charles offered a polite, diplomatic nod. "The pleasure is all ours..."

After the initial round of greetings, Victoria turned her bright smile on Kayla. "You must be the beautiful bride. You look absolutely stunning."

Arthur chuckled in agreement and gestured for everyone to take their seats at the grand dining table.

Lyra peered over their shoulders. Seeing that the entrance was completely empty, she finally let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Rowan wasn't coming at all.

After all, he was actively trying to keep his distance from her these days.

But the second Lyra lowered her guard, a tall, elegantly imposing figure strode right through the front door.

Lyra's entire body went rigid.

She had literally been on her way to lock the front door, but she immediately scrambled backward.

Arthur blinked in mild surprise at Rowan's sudden appearance but quickly recovered, warmly inviting him to take a seat.

Caleb was in the middle of a phone call, so he simply offered a casual wave in Rowan's direction.

Noticing how tense Kayla looked around the Jamesons, Lyra quickly pulled out the chair next to her and sat down. She reached under the table to give Kayla's hand a reassuring squeeze, whispering in her ear, "Don't worry, Kayla, it's totally fine."

Kayla nodded gratefully.

Once Caleb hung up and claimed the seat on Kayla's other side, she visibly relaxed.

The dinner conversation flowed smoothly between the older generation. The Fairchilds were the picture of hospitable warmth, while the Jamesons were all polite smiles and easy charm.

Caleb even managed to exchange a few superficial pleasantries with Rowan.

The atmosphere at the table was surprisingly pleasant.

Lyra was just stabbing a piece of beef tenderloin with her fork when she glanced up and spotted Liam slipping through the front door. Realizing the house was packed with VIP guests, he tried to tiptoe his way through the foyer unnoticed.

It only took one look for Lyra to realize something was horribly wrong, a sickening wave of dread crashing over her.

Liam was wearing a suit made of incredibly expensive fabric, but the fit was an absolute disaster. It hung off his frame in baggy, awkward folds, making him look like a little boy playing dress-up in his father's closet. The entire ensemble screamed of bizarre impropriety.

But in her panicked frenzy, she unavoidably locked eyes with Rowan.

Clearly thinking she had been staring at him, Rowan arched a single, predatory brow in her direction.

Lyra's chest tightened violently. She fought to keep a stiff, artificial smile plastered on her face, desperately clinging to the very last shreds of her dignity.

"Are you feeling a bit too warm?"

Rowan asked, his voice cutting clearly through the chatter.

The moment the words left his lips, every single person at the table followed his gaze, their eyes locking onto Lyra.

A literal drop of nervous sweat rolled down Lyra's forehead. She grabbed a napkin to dab at her skin, forcing a strained composure. "I just think..."

Liam was walking right behind Rowan at that exact second.

"I just think you... you're so..."

She couldn't even force the word "handsome" out of her mouth.

Because Liam had finally scurried out of sight.

Lyra's soul finally slammed back into her body. She braced herself, cleared her throat, and pushed back her chair. "Excuse me. I need to run to the restroom."