His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 55

No matter how harshly she lashed out, he only held her tighter, murmuring soft words of comfort in her ear. His face betrayed nothing—no anger, no joy.

Outside the door, Xenon listened to the chaos within, cold dread crawling over his skin.

All these years working for Mr. Royce, not once had he seen anyone curse him out with such venom. Yet Mr. Royce, incredibly, wasn’t angry at all. He just soothed her gently, as if nothing could shake his calm. Maybe only Ms. Jardin could get away with this.

Eventually, Lumina’s fury sputtered out. She’d cried herself dry, slumping in his arms as her body trembled with exhaustion.

Cedric bent his head and asked quietly, “Are you calm now?”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, but she no longer had the strength to fight him. She just sagged against his chest, defeated.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her delicate brow. “That’s better. That’s my good girl.”

“Yadiel is leaving Banyan Town. His parents will have no one left to care for them.”

Cedric’s fingers drifted through her hair, his voice unhurried. “Go let Yadiel know you’re ready to step up and be a good ‘daughter’ to them.”

Lumina stared at him, eyes wide in shock, her fingers balling tightly. “You’re sending Yadiel away?”

“This is his choice. No one’s sending him anywhere,” Cedric replied, his tone level. He met her furious glare with a kind of patient warmth. “You wanted to leave. How much of that was his doing, his encouragement? I’m letting him go, that’s the most mercy I can give.”

Lumina felt his fingertips weaving through her hair, cold and unsettling, like a serpent coiling against her scalp.

She glared at him, her eyes rimmed red.

Cedric only released her, draping his suit jacket over her shoulders.

“Hungry?” he asked lightly. “Come eat with me.”

She let him pull her to her feet, numb and listless. He slipped his hand into hers and led her toward the door.

Xenon had been waiting outside for nearly two hours, going through several cigarettes before they finally emerged.

Unbothered, he just smiled and bent down to press a kiss to the back of her hand. “Still sulking, are you?”

They drove in silence to Moon Pinehouse, a quiet, elegant bistro known for its refined, understated charm. The air inside was tinged with the fresh scent of lilies and water lilies. Pools lined each side of the entryway, mist curling above the surface as fat koi drifted lazily below.

This was one of Banyan Town’s most exclusive Black Pearl restaurants—pricey enough to scare off all but the wealthy elite.

Cedric was a part owner here, so the maître d’ recognized him immediately and led them to a private dining room.

Cedric leafed through the menu with long fingers, nonchalantly ordering a few dishes before glancing at Lumina. “Anything you want to eat?”

She didn’t even look at him, snapping, “I’m not eating.”

He sipped his coffee, a smile playing at his lips. “I heard your stomach rumbling in the car. Are you sure?”

Lumina ignored him completely. So he went ahead and ordered several of her favorite dishes anyway.