Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 407

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 407: Tension and Temptation**

Emma found herself in a rather peculiar position. With Calum’s unexpected arrival, Lucien’s feelings were a tangled web of relief and apprehension. The air around them crackled with uncertainty; Calum’s status was not just high—it was intimidating. His temper was as unpredictable as a storm at sea, and the shadows of the unknown loomed large. Lucien knew he had to neutralize any potential threats before they could escalate.

Through the display of her lightcore, Emma observed the three men, each one emanating an aura of lethal intent that sent shivers down her spine. Her heart raced as she felt the weight of the situation.

“They’re not really going to fight, are they?” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

With one man at Rank 12 and two others at Rank 11, the stakes were impossibly high. If a brawl broke out, her manor could be reduced to mere rubble in an instant.

“I have to see for myself,” she muttered, her resolve hardening.

If the manor were to be destroyed, she could always acquire another; her collection of star coins was ample. But the thought of them unleashing their powers on the entire Central Planet filled her with dread.

“Emy, it’s fine,” Silas reassured her, gently grasping her hand and offering a warm smile that was meant to soothe her frayed nerves. “Even if they want to fight, it won’t happen here, on the Central Planet. Calum knows his boundaries—he won’t actually kill Lucien or Marcus.”

Emma narrowed her gaze, a flicker of suspicion crossing her features. “Silas, did you already suspect that Lucien and Marcus would challenge Calum?”

He tapped the display of her lightcore thoughtfully. “I had a hunch that Lucien would.”

There were too many uncertainties surrounding Calum, and Lucien was not the type to rest easy. He needed to gauge Calum’s capabilities for himself, to see where the limits lay.

As for Marcus, Silas had been oblivious to their history at first, but now he understood the depth of Marcus’s resentment—he had tasted defeat at Calum’s hands before, and it was no wonder his expression soured at the mere mention of Calum’s name.

Emma’s anxiety swelled. “Calum is Rank 12. Do you think they stand a chance against him?”

Silas cast a glance at Lucien on the display, his expression contemplative. “Whether they win or lose isn’t really in their hands. It’s all up to Calum.”

In the living room, a palpable shift occurred as Calum’s voice broke through the tension.

“I accept your challenge.”

When Marcus issued his threat, and Lucien stepped up beside him, Calum’s reaction was surprisingly composed. Instead of anger, a knowing smile crept across his face, and he nodded, unfazed. “You’ve just returned from your journey. You should eat and rest before you challenge me.”

His expression remained serene, almost detached, as if he were unaware of the effect his appearance had on those around him. The effortless allure he exuded was almost ascetic, juxtaposed against the exposed skin that drew the eye, leaving her captivated and curious about what lay beneath the fabric.

He must have noticed her momentary distraction, for he stepped closer, eliminating the space between them. His warm presence brushed against her cheek, igniting a spark of awareness within her.

Lowering his head slightly, his towering frame cast a shadow over her, enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth. His voice, deliberately husky, caressed her ears like a lover’s whisper, or the gentle stroke of a feather against her heart.

“Ms. Tibarn.”

The words flowed from his lips, soft and deliberate, rising slightly in pitch, imbued with an indescribable blend of intimacy and seduction that sent a shiver down her spine.

Warm breath danced against her sensitive ears, jolting her back to reality. Her earlobes flushed a deep crimson.

He’s definitely doing this on purpose!

“What are you doing?” she stammered, stepping back half a pace, her eyes wide with surprise.