Chapter 645 – I Plead The Fifth
Lux exhaled softly through his nose. His hand slid up her back, resting lightly between her shoulder blades. She was soft. So soft it made his pulse throb with things he didn’t want to think about too hard. Not here. Not now.
Behind them, the butler cleared his throat with polite timing.
"Shall I prepare so tea and snacks, Mr. Vaelthorn?"
Lux looked up, still cradling Ariel in his arms. "Yes, please. Nothing too heavy."
"Of course, sir."
The man bowed and turned to leave.
Lux added, "I won’t be here too long."
He tilted his head down, whispering near Ariel’s ear.
"But yeah... I guess I need to stay a little longer for this lil rmaid."
Ariel’s blush deepened.
She bit her lip, smiling against his chest like she couldn’t decide if she was flustered or just stupidly happy. Her fingers curled tighter against the back of his blazer, like she was afraid he’d vanish if she let go too soon.
"You talk like you’re leaving already," she mumbled.
He tilted his chin and looked at her. "Am I not allowed to run my billion-coin business anymore?"
"No," she said, still hiding her smile. "I forbid it."
He chuckled, low and warm. "You’ve been hanging around Sira too much."
She pulled back just enough to look up at him. "Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"That soone’s using your na to... do things?"
Lux’s brows lifted. "That reached you too?"
"So of the staff were whispering," she admitted. "At first I thought it was just gossip. But then..." Her face fell a little. "Then they said you’d been seen with other won. That you said horrible things to people."
She looked down.
Lux didn’t say anything.
"Even if I didn’t believe it," she added, voice quiet, "it still hurt."
He gently cupped her face. Tilted it back up so she had to et his eyes.
"I didn’t do any of it," he said softly. "None of it. That guy out there using my face? He’s not just a copycat. He’s strategic. Sleazy. Smart enough to mimic the brand, but not the man."
Ariel swallowed. "So it really wasn’t you?"
Lux shook his head. "You think I’d sleep with married won in broad daylight and rage-bait butlers in public? I have better taste. And way better insults."
She giggled despite herself. Then caught her bottom lip between her teeth again, serious.
"But why?" she asked. "Why would soone do that?"
Lux let out a breath and walked her over to the couch. They sat. Her legs folded up beside her like the tail that used to be there.
"He wants what I have," Lux said eventually. "Wealth. Won. Freedom. But without the risk. Without the weight of responsibility. So he stole the look. The vibe. But not the work behind it."
Ariel rested her head on his shoulder. "Will he go away?"
"No," Lux said honestly. "Not until I make him."
She didn’t speak for a mont.
Then... softly. "Will you be okay?"
He smiled again. Smaller this ti. Not the CFO grin. Not the seductive smirk. Just sothing real.
"I’ll be fine," he said. "I’ve survived worse."
She looked up. "Like what?"
"Like being tied to a bed by six angry won."
She gasped. "Did that happen?!"
Lux raised a brow. "Do I look like I’m joking?"
Her mouth dropped. Then her eyes narrowed.
"...Was Naomi involved?"
"I plead the fifth."
"You totally deserved it."
"Did not."
"You did."
He laughed.
She slapped his chest lightly, cheeks puffed in playful offense. "You’re impossible."
"And yet you missed ."
She narrowed her eyes. "I’ll deny it in court."
Lux grinned. "Good. I like a challenge."
Ariel snuggled into his side again, shaking her head softly, strands falling around her face like a veil. Her voice dropped. "But really... you scared ."
His fingers brushed her hair behind her ear. "I know."
"I thought maybe you changed. Or left. Or..." She trailed off. "That you just got tired of being around ."
He tilted her chin up. t her eyes with a seriousness that wasn’t playful.
"Ariel," he said. "If I ever leave... it’s not going to be because I’m tired of you."
Her lips parted.
"I’d leave to protect you. Not to abandon you."
She stared at him like she wanted to believe it. Needed to.
"I’m not going anywhere," he added, softer. "Not unless you ask to."
Ariel blinked rapidly, then smiled through the rush of emotion. "Then I’m never asking."
He kissed her forehead again. A promise made in silence.
Just then, footsteps approached from the hall. The butler returned, carrying a silver tray adorned with fine porcelain teacups, a pot of steaming herbal blend, and a delicate selection of biscuits, sea-salt shortbreads, and soft sponge cakes dusted with powdered sugar.
"Tea and snacks as requested," the butler said with a professional bow. "I hope it suits your preferences, sir... miss."
"It’s perfect," Ariel said sweetly.
Lux nodded. "Thank you."
The butler discreetly placed everything on the side table and gave a polite step back.
Ariel sat up properly, pouring a cup for Lux first. "Still warm," she said. "The blend is from our coastal garden."
He took it with a nod, sipping carefully. "Not bad. I was expecting sothing sweeter."
"You always expect sweet. That’s your problem."
He raised a brow. "And here I thought you were the sweet one."
She looked at him over the rim of her cup. "You think I’m sweet?"
"I think," he said, leaning in slightly, "you’re dangerous when underestimated."
She smiled. Proud. "Good."
They sipped in silence for a mont. The sunlight shifted. The house was too quiet, serene, like a museum where laughter wasn’t supposed to exist. But they made it exist anyway.
Eventually, Lux set his cup down.
"I should go," he said.
Ariel looked at him, disappointnt flickering across her face, then nodded. "Okay..."
He walked toward the hall, and she followed.
At the door, she caught his hand.
"I’ll send your invitation," she said.
"For what?"
"The gala," she smiled. "My parents plan to announce they’ve found . It was supposed to be a week ago, but... they postponed it."
"Because of the trauma?"
She nodded. "Because I wasn’t ready."
Lux brushed her hand with his thumb. "And now?"
She looked up at him, steady.
"I want to show them I survived."
He nodded once.
"I’ll be there."
User Comments
0 comments from readers