My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 167: Her Smile Said Too Much

Felix’s breath caught in his throat the moment Lara stepped into the office. The door hadn’t even fully shut behind her before her bright voice rang out like a crystal bell.

"I came to have lunch with you, Felix," she said with a breezy smile. "But it seems like you already found yourself some company."

Her gaze was fixed on Katherine and the twins, eyes glittering with curiosity and something sharper hidden beneath.

Felix shot up from his chair as though jolted. "L-Lara?"

She grinned and tilted her head. "Surprised to see me?"

He didn’t answer. Instead, he swiftly closed the distance between them and took her arm, trying to guide her back toward the door. "Come on, let’s talk outside."

Lara let out a playful giggle, slipping her hand into his as if they were a couple caught mid-flirt. "Ow, Felix. Please," she teased, "no need for too much skinship in front of the kids."

His hand dropped instantly as though burned.

"You shouldn’t be here," he murmured under his breath.

She ignored him and stepped further into the room, her eyes narrowing slightly as she sized up Katherine.

"So," Lara said, her voice light but eyes anything but, "I know this beautiful woman is your secretary. But the children?"

Maya blinked at her. "I’m Maya."

"I’m Nathan," Nathan added.

Lara smiled, crouching slightly. "Nice to meet you, Maya and Nathan. So who are you to this Felix Crawford? His niece and nephew?"

Katherine, with a calm but guarded expression, interjected. "They’re my children."

Lara’s smile tightened, and her eyes flicked from Katherine to Felix before returning to the kids. "Oh? Really?"

Maya tilted her head. "Then who are you, Auntie?"

Lara straightened up, amusement dancing across her lips. "Oh, do you really want to know?"

Maya nodded. So did Nathan.

"Alright," Lara said. "Let’s play a little guessing game."

Nathan spoke up first. "Business partner?"

Lara shook her head.

Maya tried next. "Mommy’s friend?"

Again, Lara shook her head. "Nope."

Nathan grinned. "Uncle Felix’s friend?"

"Closer," Lara purred, clasping her hands behind her back. "Give up?"

Maya and Nathan looked at each other, then both nodded.

Lara’s smile turned triumphant. "I’m soon to be Uncle Felix’s wi—"

"Lara," Felix cut in sharply, clearing his throat. "Can we talk outside? Now?"

Lara blinked at him, then laughed. "Of course." She turned to Katherine and the kids. "Excuse us. It was lovely meeting you all."

Felix opened the door and motioned for her to go first. Once outside the office, the door clicked shut behind them, but he didn’t speak right away.

He exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The hallway was quiet, except for the distant hum of voices and footsteps.

"I should fire the entire front desk staff for letting you in," he muttered.

Lara looked around the hallway, unimpressed. "Oh, come on. That’s a bit extreme."

Felix turned to her, expression steely. "Why are you here, Lara?"

"I told you. Lunch."

"Don’t lie to me."

She crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall. "Fine. I was curious. I heard about your little secretary and her adorable children, and I wanted to see them for myself."

"Lara." His tone was a warning.

She only smiled wider. "You looked cozy in there. Playing house, were you? Feeding each other lunch and all that. What am I supposed to think, Felix?"

"That it’s none of your business," he snapped.

Lara’s playful demeanor slipped for a moment. "Oh, but you are my business. Or have you forgotten?"

"We were never engaged," he said tightly. "And we’re not anything, Lara. I made that clear before."

"Yet you’re still avoiding making it official. Tsk." She clicked her tongue. "Come now, Felix. It’s not like you to be so shy."

Felix watched Lara with a tightly clenched jaw, his breath held behind a dam of frustration. She stood there, grinning like nothing had just happened, like she hadn’t pushed every one of his limits in the last five minutes.

Yet, all he could think was: She’s not listening.

As Lara took a step away, her heels clicking against the marble floor of the hallway, Felix dragged a hand down his face. The tension in his shoulders didn’t ease. If anything, it deepened. He turned slightly, watching her back as she sauntered toward the elevator, completely unbothered. Almost amused.

"I don’t have time for this," he said, already turning toward the door.

But it opened before he could reach it.

Katherine stepped out, her gaze going from Felix to Lara with a mixture of concern and wariness.

"Is there a problem?" she asked.

Felix’s spine straightened immediately. "No," he said too quickly. "Everything’s fine."

Lara was faster to reply. She walked up to Katherine with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Nothing at all. And even if there was something, it’s not really your concern, is it?"

Katherine didn’t flinch. "That depends," she said calmly.

Lara stepped back and looked at Felix again. "Well, I suppose I’ll be heading out now. This has been... enlightening."

She leaned in, clearly aiming to kiss Felix on the cheek, but he turned his head at the last moment, letting her lips graze the air.

Lara paused, then gave a low chuckle. "Still difficult to the very end."

She turned and began walking away, heels clicking confidently against the floor.

What the hell is wrong with her? he thought bitterly. Is she crazy... or does she just not want to understand?

He’d told her plainly. Repeatedly. There had never been anything formal between them. No ring, promises, future. And yet she clung to this idea like it was written in stone, like a fantasy she refused to wake up from.

There was no point in arguing with someone who refused to see reason. No point in clarifying boundaries to a person who pretended not to hear them.

Felix and Katherine stood in silence, watching her go. She glanced over her shoulder just before disappearing around the corner.

Her smile lingered.

And it said far too much.