Elijah’s temperament was bitter.
When did Elizabeth become the focus of every man’s gaze? Initially, she created a connection with Soren, and now she was openly siding with Asher. Even Stewart had recently defended her.
Suddenly, it struck Elijah that Elizabeth had always been drawn to charismatic individuals.
He remembered overhearing her once, admiring his appearance to a friend.
At the time, it hadn’t seemed significant. But now, as Elijah observed Asher and Stewart, both strikingly attractive, and recalled Soren’s fame for his good looks among the elite, an unease crept over him.
The look on Elijah’s face hardened, and he sneered internally. Was her affection merely shallow?
Sandra noticed the shift in Elijah’s attitude. She understood that he wasn’t truly standing up for her but was instead grappling with a surge of envy.
Choosing to overlook it, she softly rebuked him, “Elijah, it’s not worth losing your temper over them because of me.”
She aimed to ensure Elizabeth understood that Elijah’s actions were entirely in her defense.
“It’s simply a misunderstanding,” Bart interjected quickly, pushing open the door to the private suite to diffuse the tension. “Mr. James, your timing couldn’t be better. We’ve just arrived. Sandra must be exhausted and starving from her shoot this afternoon. Let’s not linger here. Please, come in and take a seat.”
Elizabeth’s gaze landed on Elijah, whose sour expression made her question if his earlier apology back at the apartment had been a figment of her imagination.
Whenever Sandra was nearby, Elijah became someone unrecognizable.
Elizabeth had grown accustomed to his frosty demeanor and apparent inability to love,
yet seeing him passionately defend another felt like a dagger to her heart—one she couldn’t easily ignore.
Had she met Elijah before Sandra entered his life, could there have been a spark between them?
Yet the world left no room for such “what ifs.”
Lowering her eyes, Elizabeth shook off the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind.
Pretending Elijah was merely a phantom in the room, she turned to Asher and said, “I’m starving. Let’s head inside and get something to eat.”
Hearing Elizabeth’s words, Asher quickly swung the door open, skillfully redirecting the conversation. “Do you enjoy seafood? The house specialty here is exceptional.”
“Elijah,” Sandra murmured, gently tugging at his hand.
Elijah’s attention shifted from Elizabeth as he followed Sandra and the others into the adjacent private room.
