Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 654

This was a Japanese restaurant.

Lambert had brought Ariana here before, but after just one visit, she refused to come again. She couldn't stand the fact that the Japanese cuisine was paired with Chinese tea ceremonies—it simply didn’t sit right with her.

As for Lambert, it was even simpler.

If his wife didn’t like it, then neither did he.

Now, seeing the tea served here once more, Lambert’s brow lifted slightly.

Nathan noticed the subtle shift in Lambert’s expression and immediately tensed, fearing he had caught onto something.

But he quickly composed himself and smiled, saying, "President Stone, the tea ceremony here is exceptional. Would you care to try it?"

Lambert replied coolly, "Chinese tea in a Japanese restaurant—how fitting."

Nathan’s face stiffened.

Irene quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Let me give it a taste." She took a small sip and smiled. "It really is quite good. Lambert, why don’t you try some?"

Lambert remained indifferent. "No, thank you. I have matters to attend to. If there’s nothing else, President Harper, I’ll take my leave."

Nathan hadn’t expected Lambert to be so blunt. His frown deepened, a hint of displeasure creeping into his voice. "Another engagement so late, President Stone? You truly are a busy man."

Lambert responded flatly, "No engagements. My wife is pregnant, and she gets upset if she doesn’t see me. So unless there’s something else, I’d like to head back."

As for the project, they had already wrapped up discussions earlier. Nathan had no real reason to keep him.

And indeed, there was none.

But that wasn’t what Nathan had planned at all!

At that moment, his plan was simple: come up with a plausible excuse to get Lambert to agree to this meeting. Once he arrived and laid eyes on Irene, would she even need persuading to stay? He'd be glued to the spot of his own accord.

But now...

Things had taken an unexpected turn.

To his surprise, Lambert was acting as if Irene were a complete stranger—his expression hadn't changed once since the moment he arrived. If not for Irene's firm assurance that they had once been involved and that he still had feelings for her, he might have suspected Irene had lied to him.

The tension in the air was palpable. Nathan pressed his lips together, his face darkening with displeasure.

Meanwhile, Irene bit her lower lip, her fists clenched so tightly her nails threatened to draw blood from her palms.

After a long silence...

"Brother," Irene finally spoke, her voice quiet but resolute, "you should go first. I need to talk to Lambert alone."

Nathan glanced at his sister, then at Lambert, before giving a curt nod. His tone was flat as he replied, "Fine. I’ll leave then. Call me if anything comes up." Without another word, he turned and strode away.

He seemed genuinely upset—and who could blame him?

Lambert’s behavior had been nothing short of dismissive. As heirs to prominent families, they were equals in status, yet his attitude was downright insulting.

If not for his sister’s sake, he would’ve lost his temper long ago.

Deep down, he was convinced Lambert looked down on him because of his status as an adopted son of the Harper family. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have treated him with such blatant disregard.

Irene stared at him with a pale face, her voice trembling as she asked, "Do you really despise me that much? Can't you even stand to be with me for one more second?" The pain she had been suppressing finally broke through, and she burst into uncontrollable sobs.

Lambert remained silent for a long moment before letting out an exasperated sigh. "Irene," he said, his tone laced with irritation, "This is the last time I'll say this. We broke up back in college—we have no ties anymore, understand? And now I have a wife and three children." He paused, then added coldly, "Besides, my marriage to Ariana has nothing to do with you. Any resemblance between you two is a pure coincidence. Is that clear enough for you?"

His words cut into Irene's heart like a knife.

Her face drained of color, and she had never felt such agony before.

It took her a long while to regain her composure.

Finally, she lifted her gaze to meet his, forcing a bitter smile as she nodded. "I understand... I'm sorry. I apologize for my behavior. I shouldn't have clung to you like this."

Lambert replied indifferently, "It's fine."

Irene let out a soft, sorrowful laugh. "Then let this tea serve as a farewell drink," she said, her voice hoarse with emotion. "After this cup, we'll have no connection left. I'll forget the past. From now on, we'll just be... ordinary acquaintances. That's best for both of us."

Her voice was so raw it made one ache to hold her close.

But it was no use.

Though Irene bore a resemblance to Ariana, their voices were nothing alike. Had it been otherwise, Lambert might have softened just a little.

He glanced at Irene, then down at his own cup of tea.

With a slight nod, he agreed, "Fine."

At his response, Irene smiled—a smile that seemed both resigned and self-mocking. She lifted her cup and drank first, tilting her head back. Lambert watched her for a moment before following suit, raising his own cup to his lips. As he drank, he didn't notice the quiet, complicated gaze she fixed on him—filled with unspoken emotions.