The grand dining table was a far cry from the warm atmosphere of a month ago. Though there were more people tonight, a heavy silence hung over the room as everyone focused on their own plates.
The only movement that felt natural was Quentin's. His timing was impeccable; as soon as Amanda finished a portion in her bowl, he would smoothly place another dish before her. Throughout the entire meal, Amanda barely had to lift her own utensils.
Watching their synchronized movements, a bitter trace of unwilling jealousy took root in Javier's heart. He couldn't stand seeing the woman he had once discarded being cherished so openly by someone else.
His eyes flashed with a strange, dark light. He picked up a shrimp and dropped it into Amanda's bowl, offering a "generous" smile. "My mother made you unhappy earlier. Accept this shrimp as an apology on her behalf."
"Javier!" Tiffany snapped, slamming her fork onto the table.
Javier ignored her. Beside her, Dylan quickly placed a calming hand on Tiffany's shoulder to keep her from making a scene.
Amanda stared at the shrimp in her bowl, her appetite instantly vanishing. She frowned, put down her spoon, and looked up at Javier with the coldness one reserved for a stranger.
"I remember you loved shrimp, Mandy," Javier said gently, though his eyes were mocking. "Does this one not suit your taste?"
Amanda pursed her lips, cursing him silently. Before she could speak, a large hand settled gently on her shoulder. She turned to see Quentin; the deep frown of discomfort he had been wearing since they sat down suddenly smoothed into a calm, protective smile.
Quentin calmly removed the shrimp from her bowl and replaced it with a piece of de-boned fish in tomato sauce. He did this with practiced ease, ignoring Javier's darkening expression.
"Mandy is allergic to shrimp," Quentin said, his lips curling into a slight, cold smile. "Thank you for your kindness, Javier, but you should keep it for yourself."
Javier was stunned. Allergic? He watched as Amanda obediently lowered her head to eat the fish Quentin had prepared. How did he not know? When they were together, he had always picked up shrimp for her. Confusion flickered in his eyes before he regained his mask.
"Is that so? My apologies then... Youngest Aunt."
Javier lingered on the title, dripping with venom. Amanda raised her eyes, meeting his gaze with a faint, bored expression. "It's a small matter. I don't care."
Javier's smile stiffened. He could feel the mockery in her tone. Why is she so different?
As dinner ended, Mr. Harris called Quentin to the study. At the top of the stairs, Quentin paused to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Amanda's ear.
"I'm going to talk to Dad for a bit," he said softly. "If you're tired, my bedroom is at the end of the hallway on the right. Rest there, and I'll come find you the moment I'm done."
Amanda pouted, feeling like he was treating her like a child. "I can take care of myself. And don't rush—just don't make Dad so angry that his health suffers."
She knew Quentin's "virtue." To the world, he was serious and calm, but with family, he was a master at teasing until Mr. Harris's mustache practically stood on end.
Quentin laughed softly and leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. "I won't tease him. Go upstairs."
Amanda blinked, her cheeks flushing a deep rose. She turned and hurried toward the bedroom, her mind so preoccupied with the unexpected kiss that she failed to notice the shadow following her.
She reached the bedroom door, but before she could turn the knob, a hand clamped onto her wrist and yanked her back. Amanda gasped, her heart leaping into her throat, but a hand quickly covered her mouth.
"See how scared you are?"
The fear in Amanda's eyes instantly sharpened into blades when she saw it was Javier. She pushed him back with all her strength, putting three steps of distance between them.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed.
Javier gave a harsh, humorless laugh. "It seems marrying my Uncle Quentin was a very good move for you, wasn't it?"
"It has nothing to do with you," Amanda replied, her back against the door.
Javier's smile vanished, replaced by a dark, brooding stare. "You betrayed me."
Ever since the auction, he had suspected his "pawn" was no longer under his control. Seeing her with Quentin tonight confirmed it.
Amanda let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "I betrayed you? Have you ever looked into your own conscience and asked how you treated me? Or do you even have a conscience left to speak of?"
Javier remained eerily calm, though his laughter sounded manic. "Mandy, Mandy... don't think that just because Quentin is behind you, you can oppose me. You'll die without even realizing why."
At the mention of "death," the mockery in Amanda's eyes vanished, replaced by a pure, icy hatred. Her gaze turned so dark it seemed to swallow the light in the hallway, momentarily unnerving Javier.
"I don't need him to do anything," she said, her voice a low, terrifying whisper. "In this life, I'm keeping my eyes wide open just to see who dies first—me, or you."
Javier frowned. He had planned to make her life a living hell, but he hadn't even started yet. Where did this bone-deep hatred come from?
Before he could process it, Amanda stepped into the room and slammed the door in his face.
Javier stood in the hallway for a long moment, deep in thought. Finally, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Elena? I need you to do something for me. Are you willing to help?"
He wasn't worried. He was a man who preferred to clear the road before he walked it, and he certainly wasn't going to let Amanda get away with this.