Chapter 81
Ares did not answer. He didn’t need to.
His gaze had already shifted—slow, deliberate—to the entrance of the restaurant.
The glass doors parted smoothly, held open by two waiters in crisp white linen shirts, their posture rigid with the kind of discipline reserved for high-profile guests.
And then she walked in.
Lara.
Beside her was Yannis Fenn.
Ares felt it before he understood it. Something about her had changed.
There was no hesitation in her steps now. No searching. She seemed even more self-assured.
Yannis leaned slightly toward her as he spoke, animated, confident. His hand hovered near the small of her back—not touching, not claiming—but close enough to suggest he could if he wanted to.
The private room Ares had chosen was designed for discretion. Tinted glass walls allowed those inside to see everything, while outsiders saw nothing but a reflective surface.
And Ares saw them the moment they crossed the threshold.
The shift in him was immediate.
Subtle to anyone else but Scarlet felt it.
She followed his line of sight.
And froze.
Her green eyes narrowed just slightly, calculation flashing through them before it smoothed into something pleasant.
“Why is she here, too?” she asked lightly, though her tone carried a blade beneath it. She glanced toward Shay briefly, as if assigning blame, before returning her attention to Ares.
He didn’t respond.
Instead, he raised a hand and murmured something to the attending waiter.
The waiter nodded and moved swiftly.
Moments later, he approached Yannis and Lara, speaking politely before guiding them toward the private room.
It wasn’t an invitation but a summons.
Yannis noticed Ares first.
His expression shifted—just a flicker—but it was there.
Ares stood, and the entire room felt smaller.
Like oxygen had just been rationed.
Yannis’ jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He had been looking forward to a private lunch.
Now?
Now it was a battlefield.
“Well,” Yannis said smoothly as he guided Lara forward, “what a coincidence… President Zuvel p>
The title was deliberate.
A reminder. A challenge.
Ares inclined his head, controlled as ever.
“Doctor Fenn p>
Yannis extended his hand, and Ares took it.
The handshake lasted a second too long.
Ares’ grasp was firm, unyielding. A silent measurement of strength.
“I didn’t know you were dining here,” Yannis added casually. “If I had, I might have chosen somewhere else p>
Ares’ eyes darkened.
“And why is that p>
A faint smile curved Yannis’ lips.
“A doctor’s concern,” he replied. “I prefer to observe my patient in a natural setting p>
His gaze shifted to Scarlet.
“And I see you’re here as well, Doctor Collins p>
Scarlet leaned closer to Ares before answering.
“We were just catching up,” she said lightly. “Old memories p>
Her hand rested briefly on Ares’ sleeve, claiming familiarity and possession.
Not enough to be inappropriate, but more than enough to be noticed.
Lara saw it. But since entering the restaurant, her expression did not change.
That was what unsettled Ares the most. Not a sign of jealousy, no confusion, but just a quiet awareness.
Like she was watching a game unfold… and already knew how it would end.
The waiter pulled out an extra chair.
Yannis did not hesitate. He positioned it beside Lara.
Close enough that their arms nearly brushed when they sat. Close enough that conversation didn’t need to travel.
Ares noticed.
Of course he did.
Yannis leaned slightly toward Lara as the menus were placed in front of them.
“I was telling her,” he said smoothly, addressing the table but speaking for Ares to hear, “that she hasn’t been eating properly p>
His voice lowered just a fraction as he turned to her.
It wasn’t a question. It was a statement, a familiarity.
Lara’s fingers paused on the menu.
“You’re exaggerating. I am eating properly p>
“Ah, but it doesn’t look like you gained a lot of weight p>
The words were mild. The tone wasn’t.
“I gained two kilograms in a month. Any more would be unhealthy p>
Yannis reached past her to adjust the napkin that had fallen slightly against her dress. His knuckles brushed the edge of her waist briefly.
It looked too natural, like Yannis had done it before.
Ares’ glass stopped midway to his lips.
Scarlet saw it.
And she smiled.
Oh. So that was the game.
She shifted in her seat and moved closer to Ares — their chairs now nearly touching.
“Well,” she said brightly, as though the air wasn’t tightening by the second, “Ares used to be worse p>
Her hand slid onto the table.
Then, lightly — casually — onto her hand, he covered his.
Lara had a clear angle, and she saw it.
Scarlet leaned toward Ares, lowering her voice just enough to create intimacy.
“He would forget to eat entirely when he was focused. I had to drag him out for meals p>
Her fingers pressed slightly.
Claiming history. Claiming knowledge. Claiming territory.
Yannis’ smile sharpened almost imperceptibly.
“Oh?” he replied. “That must have been years ago p>
“It was,” Scarlet said. “We were inseparable back then p>
Her hand moved from his hand to his forearm, sliding upward as if it belonged there.
It lingered.
Ares had not moved.
His jaw, however, was carved from stone.
Yannis turned to Lara again.
“You should really eat more,” he said softly.
He reached for the water pitcher before the waiter could.
He poured for her first.
Not out of courtesy, out of instinct.
He adjusted the glass slightly closer to her right hand.
A small detail, but intimate.
He remembered which hand she favored.
Ares noticed that too.
Lara thanked him quietly. Still calm. Still composed.
That composure unsettled everyone at the table more than jealousy ever could.
Scarlet’s fingers tightened subtly around Ares’ arm.
“You know,” she said, her voice turning silky, “I am planning a small gathering this weekend. Just old friends. You should come, Ares. You can bring Lara along, too, to expand her network. I heard she came from the countryside p>
Her thumb traced a faint line along his sleeve.
“I’ve missed having you around p>
Yannis’ chair shifted half an inch closer to Lara.
Barely audible. Barely visible.
“Lara,” he said mildly, “she has a follow-up consultation scheduled with me this weekend p>
His gaze met Ares.
“I like to keep a close watch on her recovery p>
Close watch.
Scarlet’s smile broadened.
Ares finally spoke. His voice was quiet, controlled, but it carried weight.
“Doctor Fenn,” he said, eyes steady, “how close is necessary p>
The temperature at the table dropped.
Yannis didn’t look away.
“As close as required p>