The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1010

Thalassa hesitated for a moment. She gazed instinctively at Lysander, whose handsome face was as stoically cool as ever. He took the wine glass from her hand and looked intently across the table at Joshua.

"She's got work later. I'll drink this one." Lysander declared, emptying the glass in one smooth motion.

Thalassa was astonished, not expecting Lysander to intercept the drink meant for her.

His reason was because she had work later, and he was concerned that drinking might impair her performance.

Was it because Atticus had mentioned earlier that he would be waiting at home for her, ready to tutor her on the new software and help with her workload?

Thalassa couldn't tell if Lysander was stepping in to prevent disappointment for Atticus, who might be left waiting in vain if she returned home drunk and unable to focus, or if he was simply worried about her getting intoxicated.

In that moment, was it Atticus, his son, whom Lysander truly cared about, or was it Thalassa herself?

After a second of astonishment, Thalassa's rationality returned. Of course, he cared about his son. How could he possibly care about her?

If he really did care, he wouldn't have put her through hell time and again, especially at her most vulnerable moments, without any regard for her feelings.

"Well, it's all the same if Lysander drinks it." Joshua said with a smile that was loaded with meaning as he glanced between Thalassa and Lysander.

Thalassa snapped back just in time to catch Joshua's knowing smirk, full of implication and a hint of mischief.

It was obvious he was relishing the drama unfolding between Lysander and her.

Thalassa's eyes widened for a moment, feeling uncomfortably exposed by the blatant and yet subtle gossip about her relationship with Lysander, especially coming from an elder. This was a first for her.

Feeling awkward and at a loss for words, she wanted to clarify that there was nothing between her and Lysander, but she didn't know where to begin.

Joshua's smile faltered upon hearing her words. Then, he let out a sigh that was both lamenting and laughing. "You're young. There are some things that you just don't see through yet. But, please remember to cherish what you have."

Sensing Lysander's icy glare and the tension rising, Richard knew he was on the verge of provoking his anger.

He quickly attempted to defuse the situation. "Mr. Joshua is right. The most important thing in a relationship is to cherish what you have."

He busied himself pouring wine for Joshua and Lysander and skillfully changed the subject. "Mr. Joshua, have you had any luck finding those Phoenix jade pearls you mentioned?"

"I took a look at the Draven Group's jade auction today. There was a variety of jade and emeralds, but nothing that I was searching for." Joshua replied, getting back to business and taking a sip of red wine from his glass.

Joshua's main reason for returning to the country was to find a set of jade pearls he had given to a woman 28 years ago. The jade pearls were engraved with the image of a flying phoenix.