Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 87

Kingshire had seen a few spells of rain, and the weather was steadily warming up.

Audrina stuck to her usual routine: work, broadcasting, and going home. Occasionally, when she passed by the Everest Law Group building, her eyes would involuntarily drift toward it before she forced her gaze away, pretending nothing was wrong.

Sebastian hadn't bothered her at all during this time. It was as if they had a silent agreement to retreat safely behind their respective boundaries.

Layne spent every day walking on eggshells, meticulously reading the room. His boss worked normal hours, did the usual overtime, and maintained his regular temper—yet every single thing about him felt incredibly off.

Layne didn't dare utter a word.

On the afternoon of the twenty-sixth, Layne took a phone call. After hanging up, he anxiously knocked on Sebastian's office door.

The man was reviewing a document and didn't look up.

"Mr. Hawthorne," Layne observed Sebastian's expression, hesitating before continuing, "Someone from Ms. Monroe's side just called to invite you to dinner at the end of the month."

The pen hovered over the paper, leaving a tiny dot of ink.

Then, he looked up. "Did she call you herself?"

Sebastian's voice was completely flat, his gaze indifferent.

Layne thought for a second. "It wasn't Ms. Monroe's voice. It was an unknown number."

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, lazily twirling his pen.

Audrina would never invite him out like this, let alone have some random number make the call for her.

So who was making decisions on her behalf without telling her?

Sebastian dropped a few simple words. "Accept it."

On the last day of the month, downstairs at the Kingshire Financial News building.

Audrina walked out of the revolving doors, her head down as she scrolled through her rideshare app. A sleek, black Maybach was parked by the curb, but she didn't notice it and kept walking.

The horn honked once.

She looked up just as the window slowly rolled down, revealing a familiar face.

Zachary was sitting in the back seat, smiling at her.

Audrina froze for a split second before her eyes crinkled into a bright smile. She opened the door and slid into the car.

"I thought you weren't coming back until the tenth? How are you back so early?"

She sounded absolutely thrilled.

Zachary reached over to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his voice soft. "I wanted to give you a surprise."

Zachary's gaze rested on Audrina's profile, though the smile playing on his lips completely failed to reach his eyes.

After watching her for a few seconds, he looked away.

About twenty minutes later, the Maybach eased to a stop, and the two stepped out.

Audrina hooked her arm affectionately through Zachary's as they walked into the restaurant, looking like the picture-perfect couple in love.

Their reservation was for a private room on the second floor. It featured chic, understated decor, with an elegant ink-wash painting hanging on the wall.

Zachary pulled her chair out for her, smiling. "This place looks nice. I haven't been here before."

Audrina raised an eyebrow. "Willow brought me here a few days ago. The food is pretty good."

This was the exact same restaurant where the four of them had dined that night.

Zachary flipped open the menu. "What do you want to eat?"

"You can order. I'm not picky."

Zachary murmured an agreement. After giving his order to the waiter, he casually checked his watch.

Audrina took a sip of her tea, letting her gaze sweep over his face.