The moment they entered the grand ballroom, her suspicion finally disappeared.
The hall was crowded with businessmen, investors, and executives dressed in formal attire. Conversations filled the air while soft music played in the background.
Waiters moved around carrying wine glasses and expensive dishes.
Amara paused slightly before finally realizing he truly had brought her for work.
Elias noticed immediately.
“What?” he asked smoothly, slipping one hand into his pocket. “Disappointed?”
Amara shot him a glare before walking ahead of him without answering.
The business meeting went smoothly.
Amara remained calm and composed throughout the negotiations, confidently discussing terms until the acquisition deal was finally signed.
The moment the papers were finalized, Elias leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze lingering on her with quiet satisfaction.
She looked beautiful when she worked.
Confident.
Sharp.
Focused.
During dinner afterward, Elias kept trying to take care of her naturally, almost instinctively.
The moment her wine glass emptied slightly, he reached over and refilled it before she could touch the bottle herself.
When certain dishes were placed too far from her side of the table, he quietly moved them closer to her.
At one point, he even picked up a piece of her favorite seafood and placed it onto her plate without a word.
But Amara ignored every single attempt.
She didn’t touch the wine he poured.
Didn’t eat the food he served.
Didn’t even look at him.
And the colder she became, the darker Elias’s expression turned throughout the evening.
A while later, several new dishes were brought to the table one after another—all of them Amara’s favorites.
Elias had instructed Felix earlier to inform the chef privately, remembering every single thing she liked without missing one detail.
The moment the dishes were set down, Amara immediately understood what had happened.
Her eyes flickered briefly toward Elias.
But instead of acknowledging him, she turned toward Felix standing nearby.
A soft smile appeared on her lips for the first time that night.
“Thank you, Felix,” she said warmly. “You remember what I like.”
