The Pretender and The Prince novel Chapter 54

Seth paused, the realization finally dawning on him. Today wasn’t a holiday visit; it was a blind date.

His eyes, deep and cold, settled on Athena. “Where do you live, Ms. Monroe? I can have someone drive you home.”

Athena was taken aback by his directness. She looked down, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “I… I’m not in a hurry to go back just yet. We could take a walk.”

Seth’s gaze held no warmth, as frigid as a winter lake. “I’m sorry, I don’t have time.”

Athena’s head snapped up, her face burning with embarrassment. She stammered, “I… well… I thought you knew that we were… being set up today.”

“I didn’t,” he stated, his tone glacial.

“Well, now you do, so perhaps we could…”

Seth cut her off, his voice low and dismissive. “Not interested.”

Athena froze, speechless.

Without another word, Seth walked past her and got into his car. The black Cullinan sped away, leaving Athena standing alone in the biting wind, her face a mask of humiliation.

Just as she was about to pull out her phone, a black Maybach glided to a stop in front of her. The driver got out and approached her respectfully. “Ms. Monroe? Mr. Thorne asked me to drive you back to your hotel.”

…

“I am so terribly sorry. What Seth did was completely out of line.”

“No, no, that’s not what he meant. He’s just been so busy, something urgent came up at the company that he had to handle personally. It’s not that he doesn’t like Athena, not at all. My apologies…”

“My personal life is none of her business.”

“Then it’s my business!” Hayden roared. “I’m your father!”

Seth’s expression remained unchanged. “If you’re that bored,” he said, his tone biting, “I can put you in charge of a few overseas mergers and acquisitions.”

“You—!” Hayden sputtered, speechless with rage. The audacity of his son, assigning him work!

Seth turned to leave, but paused at the door. He glanced back at his father. “I’m already in love with someone. Don’t waste your energy.”

Hayden, still fuming, froze.

What? Did he hear that right?