The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1292

"Come on, you can't just ask 'why' right off the bat. You've gotta take a guess first," David chimed in, lightening the mood with the tacit approval of Mr. Sinclair.

He didn't need to say a word – Mr. Sinclair's eyes were practically nudging him to pipe up.

"Mom, take a guess. Why do you think David's turned into such a dark knight?" Thalassa teased, her lips curling into a smile as she nudged Evelyn playfully.

Evelyn had been down in the dumps the whole trip, and Thalassa wanted to cheer her up by drawing her into the conversation.

Evelyn lifted her gaze, glanced ahead, then turned to Thalassa, her voice still heavy with emotion, "What else could it be? He's tanned, obviously."

David laughed heartily. "Sharp as a tack, you got it in one!"

Thalassa didn't find the joke all that funny. It was more like dry humor, if you ask her.

"Guess again – which sun do you think kissed me so deeply tan?" David kept his eyes on the road as he drove and spoke.

"Besides the blazing sun of Afriland, where else could you get such a quick tan? Have you looked in the mirror lately?" Thalassa quipped with a laugh.

"I dare not. I'm afraid I wouldn't see my own face," David joked back.

"Isn't it strange," he mused, "that we all share the same sun, yet it feels so different depending on where you are? Some places scorch like the Sahara, others are as cold as the Arctic. It's kinda like people – some are warm as a summer's day, others as frosty as winter."

With that, David shot a glance at Lysander – the man who was as chilly as the metaphorical tundra he was alluding to.

Thalassa's heart skipped a beat at David's words, worried for him.

David was not only bold but apparently had nerves of steel to openly call Lysander an iceman to his face. Wasn't he afraid of being sent on a one-way trip to the Arctic?

"Are we heading back to Royal Estates?" he ventured to ask.

The question instantly tensed Thalassa. She looked nervously at Lysander, catching only his profile from her angle. His features were sharp, exuding a raw masculine allure, yet he remained an intimidating presence.

"To Star Harbor Villa," Lysander stated in his deep voice.

Thalassa had been worried he'd want to go straight to Royal Estates, but hearing those words, her tense heart finally settled.

She wanted to see the kids too, but her mother was in the car, and her mood wasn't the best. Lysander wasn't fond of her mother, and even if he brought both her and Evelyn to Royal Estates, he wouldn't be any warmer to Evelyn. That would only serve to make her mother feel more out of place and dejected.

For now, Thalassa had to be mindful of her mother's feelings. She held Evelyn's shoulder a little tighter in silent support.