Chapter 439
Intervening Hand
Arabella didn’t let it go. “So did you book the table for one, or for two?”
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Lucas scrambled. “It’s a private room. Doesn’t matter how many.” Internally, he breathed a sight of relief. Thank God he’d booked a private room, or he’d be caught red–handed.
Because yeah–he wasn’t just “passing by“. He’d come specifically to see her.
Arabella shot him a sideways glance, and Lucas felt his stomach tighten.
Did she believe him or not?
Before either of them could say anything else, a sweet, breathy voice cut through the air. “Mr. Stewart–my dad said he’ll be right back. Can you wait just a little longer?”
Both of them turned. Lucas‘ eyes widened. “Mr. Stewart? Matthew?” He spotted the figure walking briskly toward them, a young woman practically jogging to keep up. “That’s him, right?”
Arabella watched as Matthew strode past without slowing down, his expression carved from ice.
“Tell your dad I have other things to handle,” he said flatly.
The girl kept chasing after him, undeterred. “Mr. Stewart–please, just wait!”
Then she stumbled. Her heel caught on something, and she went down hard. “Ow!”
Matthew didn’t even glance back.
Lucas winced. “Damn. That’s cold. She falls and he just keeps walking?”
Arabella raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re feeling chivalrous all of a sudden? Go help her up.”
Lucas shook his head fast. “No thanks.”
Arabella rolled her eyes. Then keep your comments to yourself.
Lucas caught the shift in her mood. He hesitated, then ventured carefully, “You… seem kinda annoyed?”
“I’m not.” Arabella turned toward the restaurant. “Come on. Let’s eat.”
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Lucas nodded and started to follow.
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But before he could take two steps, a dark figure brushed past him–fast. Lucas stumbled back, and by the time he registered what was happening, Matthew had already taken Arabella by the arm and was leading her away.
Lucas froze for half a second. What the hell?
Then he moved. He stepped right into Matthew’s path, blocking him. “Hey. What are you doing?”
Matthew’s gaze was cold. “Move.”
Lucas didn’t budge. “Let her go, and I’ll move.”
Arabella pulled her arm back, though Matthew’s grip didn’t loosen. “Mr. Stewart. Let go of me first.”
She was genuinely confused. This whole thing had happened so fast.
Before the standoff could go anywhere, the girl finally caught up, breathless and flushed.
“Mr. Stewart!” Her voice wavered. “Please wait for me.”
Matthew shot her a look. “You wait here. For your dad.”
Lucas seized the moment. “That’s cold, man. You brought her here, and now you’re just ditching her?”
Matthew’s eyes narrowed. “Which one of your eyes saw me bring her?”
Lucas lifted his chin. “Both of them.”
He turned to Arabella. “Right, Arabella?”
Arabella gave him a look that clearly said please stop. Then she turned back to Matthew. “Whatever’s going on here, Mr. Stewart, it’s between you and her.” She pulled her hand free- firmly this time. “We’ll get out of your way.”
Something flickered in Matthew’s eyes. His voice dropped. “What did you just say?”
Arabella met his gaze, clearly annoyed now. “I said you’re interfering with my lunch. Would you mind?”
Matthew’s jaw tightened. “Lunch. With him?”
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Chapter 439 Intervening Hand
Arabella’s eyebrow arched, “Obviously.”
The air between them crackled.
The girl glanced between them nervously. “Um… do you two know each other?”
No wonder Matthew had grabbed her like that.
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But the tension between them didn’t look like familiarity. It looked like something else.
Matthew ignored her completely. He turned to Lucas. “Since you’re so eager to play the gentleman, she’s your problem now.”
And just like that, he took Arabella’s hand again–firm, unapologetic–and pulled her toward
his car.
“Matthew!” Lucas gritted his teeth and started after them.
“Mr. Stewart, wait!” The girl ran too.
But all they got was the slam of a car door and the screech of tires as the car tore out of the lot.
The girl spun on Lucas, furious. “Why didn’t you stop him?”
Lucas was already annoyed. Now he was pissed. “The car’s gone. What was I supposed to do, jump in front of it?”
She looked panicked. “What am I supposed to do now?”
Lucas threw his hands up. “I don’t know. Figure it out.” He turned and walked toward his own
car.
Lunch was ruined. Great.
“Hey–wait!” She hurried after him.
Lucas stopped, frowning. “What now?”
She glanced around nervously, then looked up at him with wide, pitiful eyes. “I don’t want to
be alone.”
Lucas stared at her. “And that’s my problem because…?”
She bit her lip. “My dad’s not coming.”
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Chapter 439 Intervening Hand
Lucas‘ frown deepened: “What do you mean?”
She dropped her gaze. “He wanted me to get close to Mr. Stewart. So he left me here on purpose. I just… I didn’t think Mr. Stewart would actually just walk away like that?
Lucas blinked. Then he laughed short and humorless. “Are you serious right now?”
She flinched slightly. “If you don’t take me home, I’ll be stuck out here,”