His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 24

Cedric clenched his hand just enough to crumple the paper before tossing it into the corner of the desk. His gaze was icy. “Kaelin was right. He must have a death wish.”

Hilton didn’t dare respond. After a few tense seconds, he continued his report. “The digital copy of the medical record has already been sent to the main house. Also, the company will hold a press conference to address the situation. It shouldn’t cause too much of a stir.”

Lumina listened nearby, her hand unconsciously brushing her belly.

Just a suspected pregnancy, and it already warranted a press conference.

This children of hers, it seemed, were more precious than royal blood.

“Good,” Cedric nodded slightly, signaling Hilton to leave.

Soon, only the two of them remained in the spacious office, facing each other.

“Are you satisfied now, Mr. Royce?” Lumina’s eyes were full of mockery. “Can I finally have my freedom back?”

Cedric calmly lifted his coffee cup, swirling the drink before glancing at her again, a faint warmth flickering in his eyes. “What do you want for dinner tonight? I’ll take you out.”

Lumina let out a dry laugh. “You really are an expert at giving with one hand and taking with the other, Mr. Royce.”

Hearing her sarcasm, Cedric reached out and gently ran his fingers through her long, silky hair. “Just tell me what you want.”

“I’ve had my eye on three Hermès bags.”

“If you want them, they’re yours. I’ll pay.”

Lumina looked at him, her gaze unreadable.

In the early days of their relationship, she’d accepted his money. But as her career took off and her paychecks grew, she stopped asking him for anything. Over the years, he’d sent her money from time to time, but never gifts.

She stepped closer, looping her arms around his neck. “Feeling generous today? Aren’t you afraid I’ll get used to it and bleed your wallet dry?”

Cedric’s lips curled into a subtle smile as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Go ahead. I doubt your appetite is that big.”

Lumina rolled her eyes and tossed his tie back at him. “Yadiel and I are strictly friends. Don’t twist it with your jealous mind. Not everything is about sex, you know.”

He shot back slowly, “There’s no such thing as a purely platonic friendship between a man and a woman.”

Lumina was too tired to argue. A man born and bred among the elite would never understand her kind of friendship.

She made to get up, but Cedric held her down, keeping her in place on his lap. He said, “I’ll come with you tonight.”

Lumina’s eyes widened in surprise. “Have you lost your mind?”

“You said the Sterlings are like your family, didn’t you?” Cedric replied matter-of-factly. “You met my family yesterday, so I’ll meet yours today. What’s the problem?”

“You really have lost your mind!” Lumina muttered, completely bewildered by his logic. “We’re not at the ‘meet the families’ stage.”

Cedric just laughed softly, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. “And what kind of relationship is it, exactly, when you start meeting each other’s families?”