Chapter 112 Lila’s Kindness
Chapter 112 Lila’s Kindness
Cora smiled faintly.
Lila rested her chin on one hand, her tone soft but steady. “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but… I’m really grateful you’re here. Qara’s death hit us all hard. And even though I know you’re not her, seeing you alive and well—it almost feels like she’s still here somehow.”
Cora laughed quietly. “Well, if my face can bring someone comfort, I suppose it’s finally earning its keep.”
They both chuckled, the tension between them easing into warmth.
Lila was nothing like Riley’s sultry, sharp-edged glamour. She was delicate, almost fragile, like a willow in the wind. Maybe it was because she’d admired Qara—who had that same porcelain fragility—and unconsciously modeled herself after her.
Before Cora could say more, servers appeared with dishes, clearly under Lila’s orders.
“Please, don’t get up,” Lila said with an easy smile, placing food on Cora’s plate herself. “If anything doesn’t suit your taste, tell me. We’ve got over a hundred dishes tonight, dozens of desserts and fruits. And if there’s anything you crave that we don’t have, we’ll make it or go buy it. My brother said I can offend anyone here—except you.”
Cora couldn’t help but laugh. “No need. I’m past the morning sickness stage—I can eat anything now.”
But despite choosing a quiet corner, it wasn’t long before trouble found them.
“Mrs. Watson seems awfully relaxed, hiding here to enjoy herself,” came a sharp, honeyed voice from across the room. “Such good fortune—to marry Mr. Watson himself. You must have half the women here dying of envy.”
Cora looked up and saw a group of well-dressed women heading toward her. She sighed inwardly. Fantastic. My husband’s charm comes with built-in headaches.
Lila’s brows furrowed. She didn’t like the tone—smug and acidic.
Before Cora could respond, Lila spoke, voice smooth as silk and twice as cutting.
“Miss Chow, I think you mean Mr. Watson is the lucky one—after all, he spent twenty-eight years searching before fate finally took pity on him and sent him Mrs. Watson.”
The woman’s smile stiffened. “My, how loyal. But since you’re under orders to flatter Mrs. Watson tonight, I suppose honesty is optional? I’m only stating facts.”
Lila’s expression chilled instantly. She’d disliked Miss Chow the first time she saw her—and tonight confirmed it.
Another woman chimed in, faux-sweet. “Oh come on, it’s obvious who’s marrying up here, isn’t it?”
Cora could see where this was going. Lila had jumped to her defense, but Cora wasn’t about to let her take the hit.
She placed a calm hand over Lila’s. “It’s fine. Let them talk. If any of them think they can do better, they’re welcome to try. I don’t mind giving up the title—if they can earn it.”
“Beautifully said,” Lila grinned, voice rising just enough for nearby ears. “If you’ve got the guts, go after Julian Watson yourself. Picking on a pregnant woman at a banquet? How classy.”
That shut them up. The color drained from Miss Chow’s face. She gave a sharp “hmph,” and stalked off with the others.
Lila turned back, eyes bright with admiration. “That line was brilliant! You know, in that moment, you were nothing like Qara. She would’ve smoothed things over, made everyone like her. You…” She smiled. “You made them back off.”
Cora laughed. “That’s because I’m Cora, not Qara. We’re not meant to be the same.”
“You’re right,” Lila admitted, nodding.
Cora’s tone softened. “And… thank you for standing up for me. I know as the host you were supposed to treat everyone equally, but you took my side. I won’t forget it.”
Lila just smiled faintly, saying nothing.
It was a small, private exchange—but word of it still reached Julian and Liam.
After that, no one else dared approach. The message had been sent loud and clear.
Not long after, Julian left the group surrounding him and strode straight toward Cora.
To her utter horror, he picked up a napkin and gently wiped the corner of her mouth.
Cora nearly choked. Has he lost his mind? In front of everyone?
“You shouldn’t have come over here,” she hissed under her breath.
Julian smiled, unbothered. “You weren’t in front of me. I missed you.”
The words were simple, but they hit like a punch.
Lila, watching the exchange, grinned. “Well, looks like my job here’s done. Mr. Watson, since I’ve been such a considerate hostess, maybe you’ll return the favor in business?”
For once, the ever-dominant Julian didn’t push back. He just gave a rare, easy smile.
“Of course.”
——
When the crowd finally thinned, Cora exhaled, exhausted.
Keeping up this public act with Julian was draining.
Julian leaned in slightly. “What you said earlier—that’s exactly what I want to hear next time.”
She blinked. “What?”
He speared a piece of fruit with his fork and held it out to her. She hesitated, then caught sight of the jealous glares still lingering from across the room—and obediently took a bite.
Satisfied, Julian said quietly, “From now on, if anyone tries something like that again, let them come at me. Not you.”
Cora blinked, chewing slowly, trying to decide if he’d meant it as protection or possession.
Either way, she wasn’t going to ask.
The last thing she wanted was to “clarify” anything with Julian Watson—especially when things were finally calm.
Julian couldn’t stay by her side long; he had investors to entertain.
But that brief moment was enough.
The message was clear to everyone watching:
Mrs. Watson was off-limits.