His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 52

Her smile didn’t falter, but coldness crept up from her toes, seeping through her body like icy water.

“It’s fine, I’ll wait for him to finish. Mr. Windsor, Mr. Langley, take care on your way home.” Lumina gave a graceful wave, bidding them goodbye.

As the last person left, her legs went weak. Leaning against the glass wall, she caught her own reflection in the mirror opposite—a face drawn with exhaustion and a crooked, joyless smile.

After a while, Xenon returned, files in hand. He looked a little surprised to find Lumina waiting by the door. “Ms. Jardin, why are you out here instead of going in?”

“Waiting for Mr. Royce.” Lumina replied with a faint smile. “But I’d advise you to stay out for now—he’s busy.”

Xenon understood the implication, but after years by Cedric’s side, he knew the man had no taste for that sort of distraction. In fact, Cedric was almost obsessively fastidious—physically and mentally.

“Come on in with me,” Xenon said, opening the door.

The room was empty, except for the inner lounge, whose door stood slightly ajar.

“I wouldn’t dare~” Lumina hugged her arms, lingering at the threshold and raising her voice in a mockingly dramatic tone. “Last thing I need is to stumble on something R-rated, and have Mr. Royce take it out on me.”

Inside the lounge, Cedric sat on the sofa, long fingers resting beside a glass of wine. Hearing Lumina’s teasing tone outside, he let out a soft, cold laugh.

Xenon just grinned.

Those two were so stubborn and proud. It always fell to him to play mediator.

Without waiting for her consent, he tugged her in. “Ms. Jardin, since when did you get so shy?”

Lumina dug in her heels at the lounge doorway, refusing to budge. “If you’re that curious, Xenon, you go see for yourself. Don’t drag me into it…”

For some reason, a subtle relief washed over her.

On the wide armchair, Cedric lounged against the armrest, lazily swirling the base of his wine glass. The deep crimson caught the light, reflecting off his handsome, inscrutable face.

Across the room, the beautiful woman by the window stood with her clothes perfectly intact, eyes rimmed red, tears threatening to fall, looking completely lost.

Judging by her anxious, crestfallen look, she was probably just like Tonia—a woman hoping to get close to Cedric, only to be thoroughly rejected.

Cedric watched Lumina’s furtive scanning with a trace of a headache, rubbing his brow with long, elegant fingers. His voice was cool and commanding, “Come here.”

Lumina strolled over, her tone light and teasing. “Mr. Royce, did this lady fail to take good care of you? Look at you, no sense of chivalry at all, making her cry like that.”

She barely finished before Cedric reached out, grabbing her arm in one swift motion and pulling her firmly into his arms, leaving her no room for protest. His chin rested against her forehead, arms wrapped around her so tightly it almost hurt.