Chapter 110 More Than Just Dinner
Chapter 110 More Than Just Dinner
Stephanie's POV
"Miss, the plane is ready."
Anna's voice came through the phone, pulling me out of the ocean of paperwork spread across my desk. I rubbed at my temples, forcing my eyes away from the neat stacks of contracts. The clock on the wall read two in the afternoon.
"I'll be there soon," I said, closing the file and sliding it into my bag.
Chloe had messaged me last night. Her father had called her home unexpectedly. Which meant I would be going to Pack headquarters alone today.
I didn't mind. In fact, I wanted to see Frederick and Amanda. Since waking up in this body, I hadn't seen them once.
In the memories that belonged to the original Stephanie, they had been nothing short of devoted. Even the night of her graduation ball, they had only missed it because of a sudden emergency.
Their affection for her had been warmer, more protective, than that of her own parents.
By the time I reached the private airport, the Valerius Pack's jet was already waiting on the tarmac, gleaming under the pale afternoon sun. A flight attendant handed me a coffee as I stepped aboard, and I paused by the window, letting my gaze drift over the endless clouds.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
Karon: [Let me know when you arrive.]
I froze for a moment, staring at the message. How did he know I was heading to Pack HQ today? After a few seconds of hesitation, I typed back: [Alright.]
I set the phone down and took a sip of the coffee. The bitter taste spread across my tongue, sharp and grounding… and yet my heartbeat betrayed me, quickening in a way I didn't want to acknowledge.
Damn it. Why did Karon always get under my skin?
This time, I wasn't flying the plane myself. The headquarters wasn't far, but I didn't feel like fussing with controls.
Besides, Frederick and Amanda's estate was close to HQ. I could stop by before my meeting.
As the jet lifted off, I leaned back into the leather seat, closing my eyes. Karon's face kept intruding into my thoughts, uninvited. The charity auction he had mentioned had been postponed — another convenient twist of timing.
And I still owed Frederick thanks for quietly dealing with that nosy detective, Clayton.
"Would you like something to drink, Miss?" the attendant asked softly.
"Iced Americano, please."
The coffee arrived moments later. By the time we landed, the day was still young. A car from Pack HQ was already waiting for me at the foot of the steps.
The driver was a man in his fifties, with steady hands and a calm gaze. "Miss Valerius, will you be going straight to headquarters, or…?"
"Dixon Estate first," I replied.
"Understood."
The car pulled away from the airport, the city skyline giving way to wide stretches of countryside. Forty minutes later, we slowed before a massive wrought-iron gate.
The Dixon family crest — a spread-winged eagle clutching an olive branch — was set into the metal, catching the light. The guard glanced at the license plate, then swung the gate open.
We rolled into the estate. I watched the grounds pass by — immaculate lawns, fountains, sculptures, and in the distance, a sprawling European-style manor that dwarfed the Valerius estate in sheer scale. It was opulence without apology.
The car stopped at the foot of the grand steps. As I opened the door, I saw Frederick and Amanda already waiting at the top. Amanda descended toward me, her arms open.
"Stephanie!" Her voice was warm, her smile even warmer.
She wore a champagne-colored gown, her hair perfectly pinned, the sunlight catching on the pearl earrings at her lobes.
"Grandmother." I stepped into her embrace, feeling the familiar comfort of her hold.
"Let me look at you." Amanda cupped my face, her eyes scanning me with concern. "You've lost weight. You haven't been eating properly."
"I have," I said with a faint smile.
"Then you've been working too hard." She took my hand firmly. "Come inside. I've made a whole table of dishes for you."
Frederick stood nearby, his gaze soft with affection. "We can talk inside," he said.
I followed them into the manor. The moment the doors opened, I stopped short. A long dining table stretched across the room, covered with dishes — roast turkey, lobster, steak, pasta, Mexican tacos, and more.
"You… made all this?" I asked Amanda, stunned.
"Of course." She lifted her chin with pride. "I heard you've been enjoying Mexican food lately, so I learned a few recipes."
My throat tightened unexpectedly. Amanda's care for Stephanie — both the original and me — was genuine, unreserved.
"Thank you, Grandmother."
"Don't be silly," she said, guiding me to a seat. "Taste it. See if it's to your liking."
I cut into the steak, the knife sliding through tender meat. The flavor was rich, perfectly balanced. "It's delicious," I said honestly.
Amanda's smile deepened. "Then eat more."
Frederick poured me a glass of red wine as he sat down. "How have you been feeling? Any lingering discomfort?"
"None. I'm fine," I assured him.
"Good." He nodded. "By the way, there's a surprise for you tonight."
"A surprise?" I tilted my head, curious.
He only smiled, offering no further explanation.
From the staircase, footsteps approached. Isabelle appeared, her expression soft. "Stephanie, you're here," she said, leaning down to kiss my forehead before sliding into the seat beside me.
The atmosphere was warm, the kind of familial comfort that seeped into your bones. But halfway through the meal, Frederick spoke again.
"Stephanie, how are things with Karon?"
The question hit me so abruptly I nearly choked on my wine. "Grandfather, what are you talking about?"
"Don't play innocent," he said with a knowing smile. "I saw the headlines. You two have been making waves."
I caught the flicker of a glance exchanged between him and Isabelle. Whatever tonight's 'surprise' was, it clearly involved more than just dinner.