Page 44 of King of Rage

‘Even after knowing what he did in the past, how could I believe him again?’ she asked herself bitterly. ‘He’s about to get married, and yet he’s fooled me all over again.’

She had spent an entire year convincing herself that Lucius wasn’t as twisted as she had once believed. Yet now, after only a few days of being with him again, she was already facing the possibility of breaking up with him for a second time.

A sudden commotion swept through the hotel lobby, drawing everyone’s attention. Jennifer and Catherine had already left, and Lucius was now entering through the main doors.

Several executives immediately hurried toward him, eager to greet him and report on whatever business had brought him there. The waiters who had been gossiping nearby noticed the commotion and quickly scattered, rushing back to work before their boss could catch them slacking off.

Lucius crossed the lobby with measured, confident strides, and Stella caught sight of him from the corner of her eye.

She immediately turned away.

Hurrying toward the seating area, she slipped behind one of the couches, hoping to stay out of his sight. She was too angry to face him. She didn’t fully understand what she was doing. She only knew that she wasn’t ready to see him.

Just as she turned away, one of her business partners stepped out of the elevator and spotted her.

“Miss Gibson, you’re still here?” the woman called, raising her voice.

Stella turned around at once, forcing a bright smile onto her face.

The woman approaching her, Clara Dennis, was one of the partners who had helped oversee the deal with Frost Hotels. Her smile widened as she reached Stella.

“Are you already leaving? I thought you were going to stay a little longer.”

“Yes, it was getting late. I wanted to go home early today.”

Lucius turned at the sound of Stella’s voice, and his gaze immediately found her.

“Mr. Frost,” Clara greeted him, her expression lighting up. “What a coincidence. We were just here discussing a deal with your company. It’s lovely to run into you.”

Lucius walked toward them and stopped in front of Stella.

His hands slid into his trouser pockets, and the faintest smile touched his lips when he saw her. However, he concealed it almost immediately, keeping his expression composed as he nodded in greeting to Clara.

He hadn’t come to the hotel by chance.

The moment he learned that Stella would be there to discuss the partnership, he had made his way to the hotel. It was Friday, the first night of their arrangement at his home, and he couldn’t deny the anticipation stirring inside him.

He had felt the same excitement years ago whenever he knew Stella would be spending the night with him.

He wanted her beside him as soon as possible.

Now, standing directly in front of her, Lucius kept his hands tucked into his pockets. His intimidating expression was enough to make anyone else instinctively straighten beneath his gaze.

“Miss Gibson, are you going on a date?” he asked.

He already knew that she was supposed to spend the evening with him, but he wanted to hear it from her own lips. He kept his expression neutral, refusing to let his anticipation show as he raised an eyebrow.

Stella, however, looked far from pleased.

‘He’s about to marry another woman, yet he’s standing here flirting with me as if nothing has happened.’

Lucius continued to watch her expectantly, his jaw tightening slightly as he waited for her answer.

“Yes, I’m going on a date,” Stella replied dismissively. “I’m going to the movies and then dinner with Shane.”

“Shane?” the older woman beside them repeated, her expression brightening with interest. “Is that your husband? I’ve seen him before. He’s so handsome. I can hardly believe he isn’t an actor. He’s practically a celebrity.”

She smiled at Stella.