Chapter 274 Can You Imagine It?

Chapter 274 Can You Imagine It?

But Elena wasn't stupid. How could she not sense what he was getting at? Her expression turned icy. "Are you really that interested in this?"

Roman froze, catching the sharp edge of anger in her voice.

But he didn't want to pass up such a perfect opportunity to take a jab at Sebastian, so he pressed on. "Not exactly. It's just that when I came out with you, I noticed he looked pretty upset, so I thought I'd ask."

At that, Elena let out a cold snort and shot him a glare. "Mr. Quinn, if something's none of your business, don't ask."

"Besides, this is my issue. It has nothing to do with you."

Roman's words caught in his throat. He wanted to say more, but he was afraid she'd get angry with him.

After all, their relationship had finally thawed a little—he couldn't let it freeze over again!

His thoughts churned as he glanced toward the kitchen, then quickly changed the subject. "Well, uh, I've already prepped all the ingredients. Let me go cook."

"No need."

Despite his low, gentle tone, Elena waved him off.

Right now, her emotions were too unstable. She was afraid that if she said one more word, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from asking Roman to leave.

So after delivering that cold reply, she turned and headed straight for the kitchen.

Roman watched her retreating figure. After a moment's thought, his gaze fell on the toys Lucas had brought along. He immediately walked over and started building with him.

Before long, the dishes were ready.

Once again, the atmosphere at the dinner table was unbearably tense.

Roman couldn't help but resent Sebastian for it. After all, if it weren't for him, maybe he and Elena would have had a lovely evening together.

At that thought, Roman's expression darkened slightly.

But then something occurred to him, and he shot Lucas a meaningful look.

Catching his signal, Lucas pursed his lips but still struck up a conversation with Elena.

"Mommy, guess what? There's been so much going on at school lately…"

As Lucas launched into stories about school, the mood at the table gradually eased.

Noticing this, Roman breathed a quiet sigh of relief and seized the opportunity to engage Elena in conversation several times.

Though her attitude was still somewhat cool, it was much better than before, which put Roman slightly more at ease.

By the time dinner was over, it was already past nine. Roman glanced at the time and prepared to take Lucas home.

As they were leaving, Lucas threw his arms around Elena, saying he'd miss her.

Feeling Lucas's soft little body against hers, Elena's eyes flickered briefly before she gently hugged him back.

"Alright. Study hard at school."

"I will. Bye, Mommy."

Lucas nodded firmly. At the door, he waved goodbye to Elena before pushing it open.

Roman, meanwhile, gave Elena a long, lingering look and said softly, "Take care of yourself."

With that, he didn't linger. He turned and left.

Before long, the man and child arrived downstairs.

Just as Roman was about to head to his car, he suddenly felt a gaze heavy with disgust land on him.

Sensing something was off, Roman frowned and looked up.

That's when he spotted Sebastian sitting in his car, smoking. The man's eyes were shrouded in shadow, revealing only his tightly pressed lips.

Seeing him looking like a defeated lion, Roman raised an eyebrow, a faint sneer crossing his face.

In fact, just to make sure Sebastian could see him clearly, he lifted his chin slightly, letting the streetlight illuminate his face.

Sure enough, he saw the man's hand tighten around his cigarette—clearly provoked by the gesture.

Thoroughly satisfied, Roman let out a cold snort. Then, like a victor savoring his triumph, he curled his lip in disdain before turning and walking away.

Watching the Mercedes roar past him, Sebastian's expression grew even darker.

He picked up his phone and opened his chat with Elena. After staring at it for a long moment, his fingers began tapping across the screen.

Meanwhile, Elena had already returned to her study and opened her laptop. She planned to review the studio's financial reports and organize the schedule for the next quarter.

She'd just opened the report and read two lines when her phone buzzed—a message had come in.

Sebastian: [Elena, I'm truly sorry. What I said earlier was way out of line, but that wasn't what I meant. I just…]

Due to character limits, Elena could only see that much on her locked screen.

But soon, she looked away.

She had no intention of replying to Sebastian. After all, words once spoken were like water spilled—they couldn't be taken back.

Besides, she was in a terrible mood right now.

Saying anything more would only make her more irritable.

Just as she was about to refocus on her laptop, her phone buzzed several more times.

Hearing the noise, Elena frowned.

What now? Was Sebastian not done yet?

With that thought, she picked up her phone. But the moment she saw what was on the screen, her expression changed completely.

Jasmine: [Elena, you bitch! You're a vicious, snake-hearted harpy!]

Jasmine: [Someone like you will never have a good ending! Bitch! Bitch!]

Her phone kept buzzing as one abusive message after another came through.

After glancing at them, Elena immediately knew who was behind this.

Her face darkened, irritation flashing in her eyes.

God, Jasmine was absolutely disgusting!

"Jasmine! Don't think I don't know it's you! I already told you—I have no intention of stealing anyone's man! Are you deaf?"

"I'm warning you, if you send me another message like this, don't blame me for what happens next!"

After hitting send, she immediately blocked the number.

Once that was done, Elena slammed her phone down on the desk, forcibly suppressing her anger, and redirected her attention back to the financial report.

At that moment, Jasmine saw Elena's reply—and it made her shake with fury!

Just thinking about Sebastian running around after that woman, bending over backward for her, made Jasmine's eyes turn bloodshot.

Especially with the current troubles facing Colton Group—she was more convinced than ever that Elena was the one sabotaging them behind the scenes!

"Damn bitch!"

She cursed through gritted teeth, her fingers flying furiously across her phone screen.

But when she tried to send the message and saw the exclamation mark appear, her eyes went wide.

She actually blocked me?!

The moment that realization hit, her teeth ground together audibly, her expression turning dark and venomous.

"Damn you, Elena! Damn you!"

She kept cursing as she hurled her phone across the room.

The screen shattered on impact, cracks spreading like a spiderweb. Jasmine's reflection on the broken screen became distorted and fragmented, making her look especially terrifying.

"Elena, you just wait! This isn't over! I will make you pay for this!"