Chapter 664

“Get in,” Cale ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Lydia only glanced at him. There were so many things she wanted to say, so many questions pressing at the back of her throat, but… her husband’s face told her everything she needed to know. He wasn’t in the mood to be challenged.

She gave a small nod instead and gestured for Naomi to go first.

Naomi hesitated, clearly lost. She stepped forward anyway, unable to escape the situation that had just unfolded around her. Nothing about this made sense. And worse, it was frightening.

Especially after the man who had opened the way for them arrived.

That face… Oh. Right. The man at the airport.

Naomi’s breath caught. She should have recognized him sooner. He was the same man who had gripped her hand so tightly back then. Even during their first encounter, his presence had been intimidating. But now? It was far worse. Not just intimidating-terrifying.

The car came to a stop right in front of the hotel, yet none of them moved.

The engine was still running, but the air inside felt colder than the night outside. Cale sat in the front seat without so much as glancing back, his jaw set, his hands firm on the steering wheel.

And that was exactly why Lydia stayed silent.

The entire drive, he had barely spoken. Not a single word. No reprimand, no questions. Just silence. Heavy, suffocating silence that pressed against her chest. And somehow… it felt far more frightening than anger.

In the back seat, Naomi sat stiffly beside Lydia. Her fingers were tightly intertwined in her lap, her shoulders tense ever since they left the museum. Every now and then, she stole a glance at Lydia, as if wanting to say something, but each time she stopped herself. The situation didn’t allow it.

She should have been at work by now.

What am I going to do? Naomi thought anxiously. I hope I don’t get fired just for being late this once.

“It’s alright,” Lydia whispered softly, noticing the girl’s unease. She reached over, gently taking Naomi’s hand in hers, offering what little comfort she could. Her voice was warm, a stark contrast to the suffocating tension around them. “You’re sate.”

Naomi turned to her, uncertain. “I… I don’t want to be a burden,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I’m already so grateful I got away from them.”

“You’re not a burden,” Lydia repeated, firmer this time, as if stating something undeniable. She briefly glanced toward the front, but Cale didn’t react at all.

“So… can I go home now? I have to work.”

Unfortunately, that didn’t seem like a request that would be granted.

Cale stepped out of the car first without a word Lydia let out a quiet breath before following, with Naonit trailing behind, still hesitant. Without waiting, Cale strode straight into the lobby, his steps long and unwavering.

Lydia reached out, lightly touching Naomi’s arin to stop her for a moment.

“Come on,” she said gently.

They followed in silence.

The elevator felt far too small for just three people. No one spoke. Naomi kept her head lowered, her gaze fixed on the floor

while Lydia stood straight beside her, doing her best to remain composed. Next to them, Cale stood motionless, his expression unreadable, yet the weight of his presence pressed down on the space around them.

When the elevator doors slid open, they headed straight for the room.

The moment they stepped inside, Naomi stopped near the door, as if she didn’t dare go any further. Lydia glanced at her and gave a subtle gesture, encouraging her to come in, before closing the door behind them.

Only then did Cale speak.

“Why?”

His voice was flat, but it made the room feel even tighter.

Lydia turned to him. “What?”

“Why did you have to interfere?” Cale repeated, his eyes locking onto hers now. His gaze was sharp, restrained, as if he were holding something back.

Lydia fell silent for a moment, then let out a quiet breath. “I couldn’t just stand there and watch someone be treated like that,” she answered at last. Her tone remained calm, though there was quiet firmness beneath it. “Besides… don’t you know Naomi?”

Naomi flinched when her name was mentioned. She looked at Lydia, then shifted her gaze to Cale, confusion written all over her face. “What do you mean?” she asked, startled.

But Lydia didn’t look away from Cale. “You know her, don’t you?” she continued. “So why are you acting like you don’t care?”

A silence followed, long enough to make Naomi’s unease grow heavier.

Cale didn’t answer right away. He simply stared at Lydia for a few seconds before looking away. “You…” he muttered, dragging a hand over his face with a frustrated exhale. Then he looked at her again. “Go to your room.”