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Novel Catalog
Chapter 99
The tension in the restaurant had thickened to an almost unbearable level. Catherine could feel the weight of Shaun’s icy glare, and the more she tried to deflect his probing questions, the more intense the situation became. Despite the civil gestures and words exchanged between Wesley and Shaun, she could sense the underlying animosity simmering beneath the surface.
Shaun, as always, exuded an air of superiority, effortlessly dominating the room with his presence. It was like a magnet pulling everyone’s attention, making the atmosphere feel claustrophobic. Catherine couldn’t help but feel like she was trapped between two powerful men—one who had been a part of her past and another who was now a part of her present.
Wesley, still trying to keep the peace, turned to Catherine with a slight frown. “Cathy,” he started, his voice polite but edged with concern, “If you’re uncomfortable, we can always leave. I don’t want you to feel any pressure.”
But Catherine wasn’t sure what to do. The last thing she wanted was for Wesley to think she was embarrassed or worried about the situation. She had already been through so much, and she wasn’t going to let Shaun’s sudden appearance throw her off balance, no matter how unnerving his presence was.
“No, it’s fine,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I’m okay.”
Her words were firm, but her heart was racing as Shaun continued to watch her, his sharp eyes analyzing every move she made. It was as if he could sense the unease she was trying to hide, and it only fueled his amusement.
Chase, trying to lighten the mood, quickly jumped in. “Well, since we’re all here, why not make the most of it?” He glanced at Wesley and then at Catherine, his grin widening. “A meal together sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it?”
Wesley hesitated for a moment, clearly not wanting to further provoke Shaun, but the suggestion seemed to mollify him. After all, it was rare for someone to so casually try to diffuse a situation that had already escalated.
“Alright, I suppose we could have lunch together,” Wesley said, though there was a slight tension in his voice as he gestured toward the waiter. “But only if everyone’s comfortable.”
Shaun’s eyes flickered with something dangerous, though his outward demeanor remained calm. “Comfortable?” he repeated with a soft chuckle, almost as if the word amused him. “I’m sure we’ll all be very comfortable.”
Catherine clenched her fists under the table, trying to stay composed. She was done with all the games, the power plays. The last thing she needed was another round of passive-aggressive moves from Shaun. She had worked hard to get where she was, and she wasn’t about to let him undermine her anymore.
As they sat down to eat, the conversation seemed to stutter, the words heavy with unsaid things. Wesley tried to make small talk, but it was clear that Shaun wasn’t interested in engaging. His eyes kept darting toward Catherine, as if he were waiting for something, or perhaps expecting her to say something that would reveal more than she was willing to share.
The meal passed in awkward silence, and Catherine couldn’t shake the feeling that she was playing a dangerous game with both men. The past was never truly behind her, and now, more than ever, she realized just how tangled her life had become.
When the bill came, there was an unspoken expectation hanging in the air. Shaun, ever the person to assert dominance, effortlessly picked up the tab, as if it were a statement in itself. “I’ll take care of this,” he said coolly, not waiting for any objections.
Catherine glanced at him, but the words stuck in her throat. She wasn’t sure whether to thank him or to bristle at the control he seemed to exert in every situation. Either way, the lunch had turned into more of a battle of wills than anything else.
As they all stood to leave, Catherine felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had survived the lunch, but the lingering feeling of being trapped between two competing forces wasn’t something she could easily shake off.
Wesley gave her a reassuring smile as they walked out together, but Catherine couldn’t help but feel the cold chill of Shaun’s gaze still lingering on her back.
She had once been a woman who made her own choices, but now, it seemed like the past was constantly knocking at her door, trying to drag her back into a life she was desperately trying to escape.