Elizabeth paid no attention to Elijah, acting as though he didn’t exist, her focus entirely on savoring her meal.
The table overflowed with dishes, and after such an exhausting day, hungry hands eagerly spun the lazy Susan in a never-ending whirl.
She had been too timid to fight for food earlier, and now, with everyone momentarily distracted, she seized the opportunity to satisfy her hunger.
To her, Elijah was nothing more than another face in the crowd. Whether he was irritated or content was of no consequence to her.
In her eyes, no man could rival the allure of a good meal!
Elijah’s gaze shifted to Elizabeth, who was still absorbed in her meal, oblivious to the tension around her. A cold, hard glint flickered in his eyes.
Could she truly be so indifferent? They were openly encouraging her husband to meet other women, yet she sat there calmly, still managing to eat?
His hand clenched around the glass so tightly that the veins on his wrist throbbed visibly, a silent testament to the storm brewing within him.
A wave of rage surged within him, yet he restrained himself from lashing out at her.
His face set into a stern, foreboding expression.
The jovial atmosphere at the table quickly dissipated; smiles vanished, and an uncomfortable silence took over. No one dared to utter another word.
Leaning back, Elijah fixed Oscar with a piercing look, his mouth curling into a wry half-smile. “Is this your idea of professionalism?” he asked, his tone cold and sharp.
Oscar’s face flushed with a mix of shame and forced indignation. “Our projects are serious and legitimate,” he retorted defensively. “We would never engage in underhanded activities. Should anyone attempt such a thing, I’d be the first to intervene!”
Then, turning back to Elijah, Oscar’s expression softened into a fawning grin.
“Mr. James, please understand, these men are just rugged, straightforward types; they spend their days on construction sites and aren’t refined in their manners. After a couple of drinks, their mouths run wild, tossing out jokes without hesitation. Please forgive their blunt nature,” Oscar said.
Quickly grasping their mistake, the others chimed in with apologies. “Indeed, Mr. James, please overlook our coarse ways. We’re simple people, unrefined by much schooling, and our words have inadvertently upset you. We’ll make up for it by downing three glasses ourselves!”
With a laugh, even those previously silent grabbed their glasses, filled them to the brim with potent liquor, and gulped them down, their eyes turning a shade redder with each swallow.
Elijah responded with detached indifference.
He waited a beat, then casually reached for his cup of tea, savoring a deliberate, tiny sip.
It was only after this pause that the atmosphere relaxed, and the gathering continued their meal and laughter, but in a more subdued manner than before.
Meanwhile, Aspyn, slightly tipsy herself, saw her regard for Elijah soar, fueled by the alcohol and her vivid imagination.
What a dashing, prosperous, and honorable gentleman he was.
She knew she couldn’t let this chance slip through her fingers.
