Chapter 29
Orion's POV
When the door to the private room swung open and I saw Lyra, the first emotion that surged through me was surprise.
She stood in the doorway, wearing a simple dark suit, her long hair swept up into an elegant chignon, her face touched with light makeup. Though her expression held a certain distance, those eyes remained clear—exactly as I remembered them.
Two weeks had passed since our last encounter, and I'd thought I could handle this business meeting with composure. But the moment I saw her, I realized just how much I'd missed her.
That surprise lasted less than three seconds.
My gaze fell to her wrist, to the bruise her sleeve failed to completely conceal. Deep purple-blue against her pale skin, impossibly stark.
Surprise transformed instantly into roiling fury, burning from my heart through every cell in my body. Inside my chest, Kaelum released a low, rumbling snarl, desperate to tear apart whoever had hurt her.
For one moment, only one thought filled my mind: take her away immediately, then beat Kael until he could never stand again.
But I couldn't—at least not yet.
I forced myself to suppress that rage, burying it deep beneath the surface. My expression remained unchanged, still projecting that same cold, distant demeanor, as if I'd seen nothing at all.
Kael approached with an ingratiating smile plastered across his face, fawning and eager. He extended his hand, attempting to shake mine.
"Mr. Blackwood, I've heard so much about you..."
I didn't even lift an eyelid, completely ignoring his outstretched hand.
Kael's hand hung awkwardly in midair, his smile freezing on his face, uncertain whether to withdraw it or continue holding it out. The air filled with suffocating awkwardness, those few seconds of silence stretching like an eternity.
Just as Kael reached his breaking point, Darian, my assistant standing behind me, spoke up, his tone professionally detached yet edged with coldness.
"Mr. Blackwood has a cleanliness compulsion and dislikes contact with unclean things. I hope Mr. Vane can understand."
Kael's hand froze there, his expression cycling through shades of red and white. The phrase "unclean things" struck him like a slap across the face, but he dared not react, could only withdraw his hand awkwardly, his smile growing even more rigid.
"Of course, of course, how presumptuous of me," he said with obvious discomfort in his voice. "Please, Mr. Blackwood, take the head seat. I'll have someone bring the contract right away."
I still said nothing, merely cast him a brief glance before walking to the main seat and sitting down.
Kael quickly smoothed away the embarrassment from his face, rebuilt his smile, and fawned over me—presenting the contract himself, personally pouring my tea and water, his entire being lowered into the dust.
I accepted the contract and flipped through it casually. Truthfully, this contract held no value for me whatsoever; Kael's small company didn't even register as a decimal point in Blackwood Corporation's commercial empire.
I'd come here for only one purpose: to see Lyra, to confirm her safety, and simultaneously to gather more intelligence about the Blood Moon Cult, so that Lyra wouldn't have to endure this humiliation any longer.
Watching Kael's obsequious face across from me, only one thought filled my mind: this man sitting before me with his ingratiating smile was the one who'd made my fated mate suffer such torment.
My face maintained its calm, but my fingers nearly cracked the armrest beneath them.
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Lyra's POV
The moment Orion's gaze fell on my wrist, alarm shot through me.
I quickly tried to pull down my sleeve, attempting to cover that bruise, but I knew it was too late. Orion had already seen it.
I didn't dare lift my head to look at Orion's expression, afraid of seeing disappointment or disgust in his eyes. I stood in the corner of the private room, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible, focusing on listening to Kael and Orion discuss contract details.
But Kael clearly had no intention of letting me remain invisible.
Halfway through their conversation, he suddenly turned to look at me, his tone carrying obvious reproach. "Why are you just standing there like an idiot? Come over here and toast Mr. Blackwood."
My heart sank, but I still obediently walked over. The liquid poured slowly into the glass, making soft sounds.
I'd just finished pouring one glass when Orion raised his hand to stop me.
"I'm not drinking today," his voice was flat yet carried an undeniable authority. "Let's have tea instead."
Seeing Orion's displeasure, Kael's smile immediately became even more fawning.
"I think tea is much better too. Lyra, what are you standing there for? Didn't you hear Mr. Blackwood?"
I set down the wine bottle and was about to turn to fetch the teapot when I heard Orion speak.
"Let her sit down. I assume this establishment has basic service staff."
Kael froze for a moment, then ingratiatingly interjected, "Mr. Blackwood, you needn't concern yourself with her. Standing for a while won't hurt—she's used to it."
Orion lifted his eyes.
He said nothing, merely looked quietly at Kael, but the natural oppressive force in that gaze made Kael's words stick directly in his throat.
Kael closed his mouth awkwardly, a flash of veiled resentment passing through his eyes, though his face still wore a smile. He waved at me dismissively. "Lyra, sit down."
I carefully took a seat in a position near the wall, complex emotions surging through me.
The business entertainment continued, with Kael chattering endlessly about his commercial plans, trying to demonstrate his capabilities before Orion. But Orion only offered bland responses throughout, his entire being radiating a coldness that kept people at a thousand miles' distance.
After a while, Kael stood to use the restroom. Before leaving, he glanced at me, lowering his voice to speak in my ear, his tone heavy with warning. "Behave yourself and take care of Mr. Blackwood. If you slight him in any way, you know the consequences."
I nodded, watching him leave the private room.
The moment the door closed, only Orion and I remained in the room. The oppressive atmosphere vanished instantly, replaced by an indescribable quiet.
I sat there, uncertain what to say, not even daring to lift my head to look at Orion. But I could feel his gaze resting on me continuously, that scrutiny carrying concern, carrying heartache, and carrying complex emotions I didn't dare interpret.
I gripped the teacup in my hands tightly, trying to keep myself calm. But my heartbeat accelerated beyond control, one beat after another, as if it wanted to leap from my chest.