Chapter 321: When This Is Over

Nat didn’t budge an inch. A slow, crooked smirk spread across his sharp features, his thumb brushing lightly against the polished wood of her armrest.

"I know," Nat murmured rasply, his voice a low, gravelly vibration that barely reached past the immediate space between them. "I know you’re judging dishes. And I know you’re busy." He leaned down just a fraction closer, his eyes glinting with a dangerous, playful heat. "I also know that look in your eyes. Last night, you weren’t tired of me, sweetheart. You were just frustrated."

Behind him, the air in the room temperature-dropped instantly.

Xavier’s eyes narrowed into lethal slits, his posture rigid as he slowly uncrossed his legs. "Nat. Step back. You’re invading her space while she’s trying to work."

Alexander rested his chin lazily on his hand, though the cool, sharp edge in his smile made it clear he wasn’t amused in the slightest. "Yes, Collins. Do try to remember this is a professional venue, not your personal playground."

Even Samuel’s finger paused over the screen of his tablet, his expression unreadable behind the glint of his glasses as he took a silent step forward, ready to intervene.

Nat didn’t even bother turning his head toward any of them. His entire focus remained locked onto April, his broad shoulders thoroughly blocking the other men from her view.

"Ignore the peanut gallery," Nat purred smoothly, his thumb reaching up to lightly brush the corner of her jawline, sending a sudden, electric prickle straight down her spine. "I came all the way here to hear your answer. So... am I staying, or am I taking you home early?"

Once again, April let out a low, soft sigh. It seemed Nat had come up with his own conclusion after she never got to say what she really wanted to say to him last night—but she was glad he was at least no longer misunderstanding her frustration or sulking in the dark.

"Stay," she whispered, her eyes looking straight up into his. "Sit somewhere and just do what the rest are doing. When this is over... then we can talk."

The answer hit Nat like an immediate rush of victory. The sharp, arrogant smirk on his face widened, his golden eyes flashing with a fierce, satisfied warmth.

"Good enough for me, sweetheart," Nat drawled, his raspy voice dripping with quiet triumph.

He leaned down just enough to brush a quick, lingering kiss against the side of her jaw before finally straightening his massive frame. Turning around, he completely ignored the icy, murderous glares radiating from both Xavier and Alexander, as well as Samuel’s sharp, silent gaze.

Without a care in the world, Nat strolled over to an empty armchair on April’s other side, dropping his body into the leather with effortless dominance. He crossed his legs, resting one arm over the back of the chair as he casually looked out the one-way glass toward the arena floor below.

"Carry on, gentlemen," Nat sneered mockingly, gesturing with two fingers toward the stage. "Don’t let me interrupt the important work."

Xavier’s jaw clenched tight, his knuckles turning white where his hand rested on his knee, while Alexander merely let out a quiet hum to cover his own irritation. Samuel, remaining flawlessly poised, adjusted his glasses with a single finger and tapped his tablet screen to bring up the next set of chef profiles.

"Proceeding to the fourth course, Miss April," Samuel announced smoothly, his tone as cool and collected as ever.

April leaned back against her seat, smoothing down her cream blouse. With all three powerful, towering men now occupying her private suite and watching her every move, the atmosphere in the room was thick with unspoken tension and intense, heavy anticipation.

She took a slow breath, letting her practical focus return to the culinary evaluation—all while knowing that the moment this event concluded today, there would be no more dodging the overwhelming heat waiting for her.

At the end of the day, Philippe emerged victorious once again, securing today’s competition and walking away with another ten million. If he maintained this incredible momentum, he was practically guaranteed to be the final victor of the entire event in three days.

April stood up from her chair, letting out a soft sigh as she stretched her arms above her head and gently rolled her stiff shoulders.

"Do you feel stiff?" Alexander asked smoothly, instantly stepping up beside her with that elegant, attentive smile. "Want me to massage your shoulders for you?"

"No, thank you," April replied solemnly, rolling her shoulders once more.

Her mind briefly drifted to someone who hadn’t made an appearance today. After his petty revenge tactics the previous night, she had fully expected Oliver to show up at the arena to throw another annoying wrench into Xavier’s plans. But he was nowhere to be found.

Well, she thought to herself, it’s one less man to deal with today.

Samuel stepped forward with immaculate precision, holding his tablet against his side as his dark eyes focused on her. "Shall I prepare the car now, Miss April?"

Before April could even open her mouth to reply, a massive hand clamped firmly around her wrist.

"Don’t bother," Nat’s deep, gravelly voice cut through the air. He stepped up right beside her, pulling her subtly closer to his broad chest. "I’m taking her with me tonight."

The quiet in the VIP suite shattered instantly.

Xavier was on his feet in a second, his towering frame casting a dark, heavy shadow as his eyes narrowed into lethal slits. "Put your hands off her, Collins. She came here with us, and she’s returning to the estate."

"Is that so, Reed?" Nat sneered, his golden eyes glinting with dangerous amusement, his grip on April’s arm remaining firm and possessive. "Because last time I checked, she doesn’t belong to your little estate. She told me herself earlier that we’re talking after this. And we’re doing it at my place."

Alexander took a slow, deliberate step forward, his usual relaxed posture straightening into something far more cold and formidable. "She said she would talk to you, Collins. That hardly sounded like an invitation to be abducted for the evening."

"Mind your own business, high society," Nat growled, his jaw locking tight as he squared his broad shoulders against both of them. "You two had your turns trailing after her while I was absent. It’s my turn now, and I’m not asking for your permission."

Samuel stepped directly between Nat and the path to the exit, his glasses catching the overhead light with a sudden, icy glare. His voice dropped into a sharp, dangerous calm. "Master Collins, Miss April’s schedule and safety are under my direct supervision. I suggest you release her arm before this situation becomes unmanageable."

"Unmanageable?" Nat let out a low, dark laugh, his grip on April not loosening for a fraction of a second. "Try and stop me then."