Chapter 90
The air in the room turned heavy, as if everyone had stopped breathing all at once. The rich kids sitting nearby fell silent, barely daring to inhale.
Albert’s fingers curled tight against the table, then slowly relaxed. He lifted his eyes, cool and unreadable, and looked straight at Latham. His gaze was all shadow.
Latham lounged back in his chair, looking lazy and bored, but his eyes were sharp, icy, and full of contempt.
Albert swallowed, keeping his voice steady. “Looks like you’re not in a great mood today p>
Latham leaned forward, taking his time as he spun the lazy Susan and poured himself some wine. The deep red liquid slid down the inside of his glass. He swirled it, looking as if he had all the time in the world. “Just get to the point, Albert. No one wants to listen to you ramble p>
He looked over the rim of his glass, his eyes landing on Albert’s face, which had gone a shade darker. “We’re not exactly friends who drink together, are we p>
Albert tried to smile, but it didn’t quite make it. “I just don’t get how Layton managed to piss you off. Was taking that piece of land really necessary p>
Latham shrugged, not even pretending to care. “Yeah, I took it. So what? Am I not allowed to take what I want from Layton p>
Albert let out a quiet laugh, but there was nothing friendly about it. “Latham, you know there’s got to be a reason for everything. Should I take this as you having a problem with me p>
Latham watched the wine in his hand, taking a tiny sip like the whole thing was just a minor annoyance. “Not really. I just can’t stand Layton. Or Carola. Honestly, their whole family makes my skin crawl. You get it p>
Everyone tensed up. It was basically the same as cursing Albert out to his face.
Latham didn’t care how ugly Albert’s expression had gotten. He stood up, calm as ever. “You really called me here for something this petty? I’m out, Albert. Don’t waste your energy trying to play mediator p>
“If you actually care so much,” he added with a lazy smile, “just buy Layton a new plot of land. Problem solved, right p>
That was it. Their brief standoff was over.
Albert still couldn’t figure out why Latham hated the Brown family so much, but it was obvious there was no fixing this.
He stood up too. “You all go ahead and eat. I’m leaving p>
With both of them gone, everyone else finally let out a relieved breath.
“I thought they were about to throw down,” someone whispered.
“No way. If those two really fought, the whole city would feel it p>
At ten, Latham came home right on time.
He pushed open the door. The entryway’s motion sensor light, flickered on, fling the space soft
wit
nge yellow fight and chasing away the darkness behind him.
Linda was already asleep in her room next door.
He slipped off his suit jacket, his movements instinctively gentle, even his breathing quieter than usual.
The guest room door was open.
Dorothea was lying quietly on the et
bed inside, the covers slipping dow to reveal one pale shoulder.net>
Latham stared at her smooth, white skin, feeling his throat tighten.
He moved closer without thinking. Moonlight spilled across her face through the window, her long lashes casting delicate shadows beneath her eyes. Hertips were softly pressed together her breathing light and steady.