Lunch was served the moment everyone settled into their seats.

Silver covers were lifted in unison, releasing the rich aroma of roasted venison, baked chicken in buttered herbs, fresh bread, and spiced seafood into the warm confines of The King’s Cabin.

Salad were made from local produce, pomelo, wild berries and greens that you can simply pick from the forest.

Crystal glasses shimmered beneath the amber glow of the chandeliers, while attendants moved with quiet precision around the long circular table.

Anton had intended to sit beside Lara.

But Ares moved first.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward and pulled out the chair beside him for her, his movements smooth and natural, as though the gesture required no thought at all.

"Please," Ares said calmly.

Lara paused for the briefest second before taking the seat.

Anton’s smile stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Meanwhile, Liam—perhaps unwilling to lose against Ares in something so trivial—quickly pulled out a chair for Amelia as well.

Amelia blinked in surprise, staring at him as though he had suddenly become a different person.

Liam... acting considerate?

That was rare enough to feel suspicious. Or perhaps, she thought bitterly, it was only because Summer wasn’t here.

Before she could overthink further, Liam leaned closer, his voice dropping into a teasing whisper.

"What’s going on inside that head of yours?"

Then, without waiting for an answer, he casually returned to his own seat.

Amelia frowned faintly, confused by his sudden attentiveness.

Across the table, Philip Hardy raised his glass lightly.

"So," he began warmly, "what does everyone think of Calma so far?"

Anton seized the opportunity immediately.

"Philip," he said in a smooth, businesslike tone, "I like what I’ve seen today. I’m interested in investing in the Calma Restoration Project."

The table quieted slightly.

Anton’s gaze shifted toward Ares, carefully observing his reaction.

During the Orion Project, Ares had fought him relentlessly, opposing nearly every proposal he made. The two of them had nearly torn each other apart over authority and control.

Yet now...nothing. No reaction from him.

Ares simply lifted his wine glass with detached indifference, neither approving nor objecting.

Anton narrowed his eyes subtly.

Why wasn’t he reacting?

Was the excavation truly running out of funds?

Or was Ares simply too confident to view him as a threat anymore?

Ding.

The soft notification sound broke his train of thought.

Anton lowered his gaze discreetly toward his phone beneath the table.

An encrypted message flashed across the screen.

Boss, I’ve investigated Larissa Reyes. She is currently serving as the governess of Ares’ daughter. She is staying at the Zuvel Estate across Calma Lake. Prior to this, she was in a coma for one year. By the way, Boss, she is also the one kidnapped along side the little girl and escaped.

Anton’s expression darkened slightly.

A governess?

His fingers slowly locked the screen.

Almost unconsciously, his eyes drifted toward Lara.

Under the warm golden lighting, her beauty appeared softer, more breathtaking. Her calm demeanor, elegant posture, and quiet confidence made it difficult for anyone to look away from her for long.

Then his gaze subtly shifted toward Ares.

A thought surfaced in his mind.

Could Ares be interested in her?

If that was true...

Then things had just become far more interesting.

The corner of Anton’s lips curved faintly.

Perfect. Absolutely perfect for his plans.

Beside Lara sat Randell Belmont, the elderly patriarch appearing unusually pleased with the arrangement.

Leonard Norse, however, was visibly dissatisfied. He, too, had wanted to sit beside Lara.

But with Randell being the elderly among them, even Leonard could not openly object without appearing disrespectful.

The guests were seated around a massive round table large enough for twelve people comfortably, allowing everyone a clear view of one another.

Directly opposite Lara sat Artemio Fuegerro.

From this distance, with no crowds or distractions between them, Artemio could finally observe her face clearly.

And the moment he did—

His heart skipped.

A strange chill crept down his spine.

He had not realized it before.

Not truly.

But now that he looked carefully... and Lara was just seated one seat apart from Liam and Leonard, she resembled the Norse family.

The eyes.

The visage.

The shape of her jaw.

Even the way she carried herself.

A year ago, he had overlooked it easily.

Back then, Lara had constantly worked beneath the harsh sun. Her skin had been darker and rougher, her face often scratched or bruised from the training or the mission. Though undeniably pretty, she had never looked refined enough to attract dangerous attention.

At that time, Artemio had not been worried.

But now...

Now she had changed.

And the resemblance could no longer be ignored.

...

"General Fuegerro," Liam finally said, unable to tolerate the man’s lingering stare any longer, "is there something on Larissa’s face that interests you so much?"

The atmosphere around the table subtly tightened.

Several gazes shifted toward Artemio.

The old general merely let out a low chuckle, leaning back against his chair with practiced ease.

On the surface, he appeared calm and relaxed, but those who knew him well could sense the careful restraint hidden beneath that composure.

"Oh, it’s nothing," Artemio replied lightly.

His eyes drifted toward Lara once more.

"Miss Larissa Reyes is simply... exceptionally beautiful."

The compliment sounded harmless enough.

Yet Leonard Norse immediately caught the unnatural control beneath the man’s tone — the way each word was measured too carefully, as though Artemio feared revealing more than he intended.

Then Artemio added with a faint sigh of regret,

"If my firstborn son were still alive..." His gaze darkened slightly with old grief. "I think the two of them would have made a fine match."

The moment those words fell—

Ares nearly choked on the water he had just swallowed.

He coughed once, sharply, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

"President Zuvel?" Philip asked with concern.

"I’m fine," Ares replied quickly, though his expression had already darkened.

Inside, however, he was anything but fine.

What the hell was happening today?

First Anton.

Now Artemio Fuegerro too?

Why did everyone suddenly seem interested in Lara?

Ares tightened his grip around the glass unconsciously.

An unfamiliar irritation stirred within him.

No—

Not irritation.

Something sharper.

Possessiveness!

And that realization only worsened his mood.