Alexander's jaw clenched—subtly, but enough for Adrian to feel the shift in the air, like the pressure before a storm.
Sebastian… in love… with Adrian?
Adrian dared a small glance at Alexander.
The CEO's expression was unreadable to everyone else at the table—calm, polite, almost bored.
But Adrian saw it.
The tightening at the corner of his eyes.
The way his nostrils flared once.
The slight, controlled flare of his fingers on the table.
Jealousy.
Hot, sharp, territorial jealousy.
Sebastian, oblivious, laughed softly. "Mother, please. I'm not in love with him."
"You talk about him constantly," Agatha replied, scrolling through her phone. "I assumed it meant something."
Mrs. Devereux turned to Alex again. "I must say, the boy looks so… ethereal. He surely is sight in an office."
Alexander's hand shot out—resting on Adrian's knee under the table. A light touch on the surface, but his grip squeezed hard enough to make Adrian's breath catch.
