Chapter 10 : Tension Unveiled Selena and

Sera and selena stood in front of the grand entrance to the luxurious conference hall, their eyes narrowing at the figure of Caspian standing confidently at the center of the room. He appeared as though he owned the place, his posture unyielding and his smirk oozing with arrogance. The air grew tense with his presence, and both women couldn't help but wonder why he was there. and his self-important demeanor only grated on their nerves.

Selena crossed her arms over her chest, her usually calm demeanor replaced by a quiet storm of irritation. "What is he doing here?" she muttered under her breath, not bothering to hide her distaste.

Sera shot her a quick glance, equally unimpressed. "I don't know, but why is he here?"

Selena let out a slow breath, her voice edged with something unreadable.Selena's expression hardened. "Does it matter? He always finds a way to show up."

Caspian, sensing their disapproval, stepped closer, his sharp hearing catching every word. His smirk deepened as he locked eyes with Selena. Tilting his head lazily, he finally spoke, his voice smooth and laced with self-assurance.

"Ah, what a coincidence we meet again," he mused, amusement flickering in his eyes. Then, as if he had already decided, he added, "You didn't refuse my invitation today, did you? That means we're eating together."

Selena's lips curled into a tight, disdainful smile. The nerve of this man! She rolled her eyes, her patience already wearing thin.

"Why would I even agree to eat with you? I don't want to ruin my day." She paused, her gaze cold as ice. "I don't have time to waste on someone who knows nothing." The words dripped from her tongue, laced with sarcasm and thinly veiled contempt. She wasn't here for his games and certainly not to entertain someone like him.

His cool demeanor faltered, frustration clearly etched on his face. The façade cracked for a moment, revealing the fierceness beneath. Caspian's eyes flickered with a flash of anger. No one had dared speak to him with such open disrespect. his eyes narrowing. No one, not even Selena, could ignore him for long. He had made countless attempts to get closer to her, but she always pushed him away, always gave him the cold shoulder. It was a challenge he wasn't accustomed to. He wanted to say something, to bite back at Selena's sharp words. But before he could respond with anything equally biting,

a sweet, melodious voice interrupted the growing tension."Caspian, why didn't you wait for me?" The voice was high-pitched, delicate, and undeniably feminine. Everyone turned toward the entrance, where Lilian appeared, her delicate features framed by long, flowing hair. She was accompanied by a friend, her presence immediately commanding attention. As she approached Caspian, her gaze met Selena's for a brief moment, her eyes narrowing into cold, sharp slits as she sized her up. A silent challenge passed between them, but Lilian remained silent, knowing that any move she made could be interpreted as an escalation. Instead, she focused her attention on Caspian, flashing him an innocent smile.

"Caspian, you said you would wait for me," Lilian continued, her voice laced with a playful pout. "Why did you come here alone? I was looking forward to seeing you."She reached out and took his hand, holding it possessively as her gaze flicked toward Selena, silently daring her to react. But Selena didn't even look up, her disinterest clear. She didn't care about their petty games.

Caspian's posture stiffened slightly at her words, and for a moment, his expression faltered. He had been expecting her, of course, but the reality of seeing her now wasn't as welcoming as he had anticipated. He sighed, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice."What are you doing here?" he asked her.

Lilian noticed Caspian's cold response and raised an eyebrow. She remembered the times he had been happy to see her, but now, he looked as if he didn't want to deal with her at all. A flicker of confusion crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a smile.

"I came just to meet someone," she explained, her voice light as she glanced at Selena. "We were going to eat, but I thought I'd show you her. I didn't realize you were with someone."

She turned her gaze back to Selena coldly, then offered Caspian an innocent smile, her tone dripping with sweetness. "Sorry for disturbing you," she added, her expression completely innocent as she looked back at Caspian, hoping her charm would smooth over the moment.

Caspian didn't want to deal with her, but he knew Lilian wouldn't just leave. He sighed, trying to remain calm as he turned toward her. "Lilian, wait for me in room 4. I'll be there soon." His tone was firm, though there was a clear undertone of frustration. He didn't want her saying anything to Selena, and he hoped the brief interaction would be over soon.

Lilian wasn't ready to leave just yet. She frowned, her lips pressing into a soft pout as she looked up at him. "Why don't you come with me?" she suggested, her voice an innocent lilt that disguised the subtle force behind it.

Her friend, eager to join in, added, "Yes, Caspian. Why are you standing here instead of being with Lilian? She's been waiting to meet you."

Lilian glanced at Selena again, her gaze lingering a fraction longer than necessary before she turned back to Caspian. Her tone shifted, becoming colder and more dismissive. "Who is she? I've never seen her with you before." She spoke as if Selena were a stranger, her expression showing no recognition.

Caspian, his patience quickly wearing thin, shot Lilian a cold, piercing glare. His usual calm demeanor was slipping, replaced by a quiet but palpable frustration. "You don't need to know," he said, his voice low, almost a warning. There was an unmistakable edge to his words, and the command in his tone was clear.