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Anya kept stealing glances at him.
Even as he addressed the others with his usual cold demeanor, whenever his gaze shifted to her, it would soften. The icy sharpness in his features melted into concern whenever he noticed her glass or plate empty. Without saying a word, he’d reach out and refill it for her, as if it was second nature.
The meeting slowly came to a close, and the mood in the room turned lighter. Laughter echoed. Men began talking casually, drinks clinking.
One of them, an older man with a round face and kind eyes, smiled at Anya.
“Mr. Kingsley’s new secretary is very beautiful,” the man said playfully.
“Thank you, Mr. Hoshi,” Anya replied quickly, cheeks flushing as all eyes turned to her. She shifted uncomfortably under the sudden attention.
He gave her a polite nod with a grin, and then turned to Dante, brows furrowing with curiosity. “Aren’t you and Annie Carter close, now that she’s back?”
Anya froze.
So did Dante.
It was as if someone had dropped ice down their spines.
“What?” Anya whispered.
‘Why would he bring up Annie right now? Does he know that I’m Annie?’ Anya worriedly stared at Hoshi, hand gripping the glass of juice.
“Mr. Hoshi,” Dante’s voice cut in, firm and cold, “who told you Annie and I have any sort of relationship?”
Mr. Hoshi shrugged casually and gestured toward the men at the table. “Your mother, of course. Everyone here knows you’re about to marry Annie. Janet’s so proud. She’s been talking about it nonstop at every party and gathering.”
Dante’s jaw tightened. His grip on the fork turned firm, knuckles going white, and his eyes darkened with anger, even though he tried hard to stay calm.
Still oblivious, Mr. Hoshi chuckled. “I hear Annie’s just as beautiful as her late mother. You must’ve met her by now, right? So, tell us, who’s more beautiful? Annie, or your secretary?”
Dante didn’t even blink. His voice was dry and distant. “I’ve never met Annie. So I wouldn’t know.”
The conversation shifted after that, and Anya breathed a sigh of relief.
Dante was clearly disturbed, but he relaxed again, engaging in small talk as people mingled around the room.
Anya, meanwhile, felt an uncomfortable sensation in her eye. She rubbed it, blinking rapidly—then panicked as she realized one of her lenses had fallen out.
Panicked, she bent down, searching the floor. But with her poor vision, everything beyond a short distance was a blur.
Dante, who was talking to someone nearby, noticed her crouching. His brows drew together, and he quickly excused himself and walked over.
Chapter 10 An Affair
“What’s wrong, Anya?” He bent down beside her and gently pulled her up by the arm.
She looked up at him, her panic easing slightly at the concern on his face. “It’s nothing… Just my lens fell out. I can’t find it.”
Without hesitation, Dante wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
Her eyes widened in surprise. They were surrounded by his industry peers—people talking, watching. But he seemed completely unfazed.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said quietly. “Stay close to me. You’ll be fine.”
“You shouldn’t be this close to me,” she whispered, trying to pull away from his hold around her shoulders. “What if people see us? They’ll misunderstand...” She glanced nervously around.
He tightened his grip, his piercing gaze locking onto hers, stilling her movements.