The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 161

The corridor was dim, the only light flickering from the cigarette resting between the man's lips. Each inhale made the tip glow, then fade, casting shifting shadows across his sharp features, though his expression stayed unreadable. He stood there, so present and intense that Catherine noticed him right away. Once she laid eyes on him, it was impossible to look away.

“Lance.”

She pulled herself together, closed her office door, and walked in his direction. The flats on her feet barely made a sound against the floor. Her tall figure made the dress hug her in all the right ways, giving her a lively, almost college-girl kind of energy.

“Yeah.” The reply was little more than a grunt, deep and low. Smoke curled from his lips and drifted over his face, hiding whatever he was feeling. He took another drag, looking as calm and distant as ever.

A few seconds of silence hung between them. Finally, Catherine shifted and headed to the elevators. She stepped inside, then looked back. Lance was still there, smoking like he had every right to be exactly where he was. He was striking and out of place, but somehow, in that moment, he just fit.

The elevator doors started to slide closed. Right before they could shut, a hand reached in and stopped them. Catherine’s heart skipped a beat. Lance stepped in, bringing with him the faint smell of smoke mixed with something deeper, like sandalwood. The space was suddenly small, full of his presence.

She moved to the farthest corner, keeping as much distance as possible. The elevator started to descend, quiet except for the soft hum of machinery. Time stretched out, then a phone rang.

It was Lance’s. He fished it out of his pocket and answered. As soon as he spoke, the tension in his face faded, replaced by a gentle warmth. “Adelina.”

“Lance, you’re not home yet?” Adelina’s voice was soft on the other end.

“Still at work. Had something to finish up.”

“I haven’t seen you in days. When will you come see me?”

Back at home, Catherine sent a message to her team. Tomorrow at noon, they’d have lunch with people from Golden Horizon Enterprises. She’d reserved a big private room at The Cabinda Restaurant for eleven in the morning. She’d worried earlier about lunch plans with Gavin clashing with Lance’s schedule, but now there was nothing to worry about. Lance would be with Adelina.

By the time she got everything sorted, it was almost midnight. Her morning sickness was gone now, appetite coming back, but she found herself more tired than ever. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was out.

The next day, The Cabinda Restaurant was bustling in the middle of the business district. Catherine and her team walked over, only about ten minutes away. When they arrived, she was surprised to see that Gavin had come alone. There were a dozen of them, and across the table sat Gavin by himself. The atmosphere felt a little awkward.

“Catherine, should we… still go in?” Letty whispered, glancing at the open door.

Gavin was inside, talking on the phone, completely unaware that everyone else had already arrived.