Reclaiming Her Heart
Chapter 521 He Seemed Reluctant to Let Go

There was a dawning realization within him, a feeling of being at a loss. The thought of strangling her crossed his mind, but he found himself reluctant to let go. As he gazed at her defiant face, poised to continue their kiss, a male voice echoed from behind him.

"Selena."

The voice belonged to Lucas Den. Raymond, sharp as ever, sensed Selena's body stiffen at the sound of Lucas's voice. She broke free from his grasp with a sudden struggle. "Lucas Den?" Selena's voice rang out as she hastily moved to join him. Lucas cast a glance at her, then at Raymond, concern etching his features.

"Are you okay?" He asked, unsure of what had transpired. Selena's complexion was off, and from his perspective, it seemed as though she had been under duress.

Lucas, aware of his precarious position with Raymond, greeted him cautiously, "Mr. Montague." Raymond's tongue throbbed from a recent bite, making speech a painful endeavor. He listened as Selena spoke up, "Lucas Den, let's go." She was eager to return and rest. Sleep had been elusive these past few days, her mind preoccupied with worry over her hand.

Lucas nodded in agreement, preparing to depart when Raymond's voice halted him. "Aren't you curious what she and I were just doing here?" Raymond's words were laced with insinuation, a challenge to Lucas's status as her husband. A flicker of panic crossed Lucas's eyes. He was at a loss on how to respond to Raymond, having sensed the animosity the man harbored towards him. But before he could formulate a response, Selena's calm voice filled the air.

"I was merely discussing matters related to Manhattan with Mr. Montague." She turned her smile towards Raymond, "Now that our communication is complete, Mr. Montague can go meet with the business partners now. Miss Stone is also waiting for you over there."

Raymond traced the corner of his mouth with a fingertip, the sharp pain on his tongue a stark reminder of their encounter. He chuckled lightly at Selena's words, "Indeed, the communication was quite intense."

Selena chose not to respond to his remark. Raymond casually adjusted his cufflinks, "Since your husband has come to pick you up, I'll be on my way."

"Mr. Montague, take care." Selena's voice followed him as he moved to leave. But he paused, a final thought on his mind.

"The deal to pay me thirty million for three times - I don't accept it. Think of how you'll explain tonight's behavior." His gaze shifted to Lucas, a polite nod accompanying his words. But the challenge behind them was clear, a blow to Lucas's pride.

If Lucas truly was Selena's husband, he would be deeply offended. Raymond wasn't one to embarrass easily, but the situation had left him feeling awkward and self-conscious. As he strode away, his demeanor shifted, his eyes cooling to an icy glare.

He could hear Lucas speaking up, "I reserved a spot at a restaurant not far from here. Let's head over there and grab something to eat."

Selena agreed, realizing she hadn't eaten anything that day, "Let's go."

They didn't wait for Raymond.

Upon Raymond's return to the event, he made a beeline for the room that Henry had generously offered. There, he exchanged his soiled attire for a fresh suit. His actions did not go unnoticed.

The onlookers, their eyes glinting with mischief and curiosity, had been privy to the earlier spectacle. They found it rather peculiar that Raymond, despite his internal fury after the unfortunate incident with the woman, had returned with an air of calm. This, they surmised, hinted at a clandestine relationship with the woman at the center of the drama.

The woman was no stranger to them; she was the protégé of the esteemed Mr. Butler and Raymond's personal interior designer. The consensus was almost unanimous: there was undoubtedly a romantic undercurrent between the two. Thus, the whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

"Did Olivia get jilted? It seemed as though Raymond was quite taken with the designer, didn't it?"

"He attempted to protect her from the flying drink, but she was having none of it."

"Have you seen Olivia's expression? It's as dark as the underside of a cauldron."

For Olivia, the situation was a bitter pill to swallow. She teetered on the brink of an explosive outburst, her misery threatening to consume her. However, Raymond's return offered a glimmer of solace. She quickly approached him, addressing him with a voice that barely concealed her knowledge of his connection with Selena.

Having changed into his suit, Raymond was eager to make a swift exit. Olivia, picking up on his frosty demeanor and the palpable tension in the air, proposed, "Why don't we head to a nearby restaurant for dinner? This wine tasting is all drinks and no food, and you haven't eaten all afternoon. You could end up with a stomach ache."

Initially, Raymond was reluctant to accept her suggestion. However, he remembered overhearing a conversation between Lucas Den and Selena earlier, and he surmised that they had probably left to grab a bite. "Alright."

Although he had driven to the event and was familiar with the area, he was clueless about which restaurant Lucas Den and Selena had chosen. Fortunately, he spotted them immediately, ensconced at a table by the window.

As Raymond parked the car and stepped out, Olivia, who had yet to spot the other two, took in the restaurant's humble exterior. It was far from upscale, which displeased her. She had a distaste for dining in such establishments, uncertain of their cleanliness. However, Raymond had already exited the car and hadn't bothered to wait for her. Left with no other option, she hurried to catch up with him.

The moment Raymond crossed the threshold of the restaurant, he caught sight of Lucas Den, donning transparent gloves, peeling shrimp for Selena.

Just moments before, Lucas had said to Selena, "It's only fair-I'm paid three grand a month, peeling shrimp is the least I can do. I've been in Ridgefield lately and there hasn't been much for me to help with. I feel guilty taking the money." Raymond watched as Selena's stomach growled in hunger, and she didn't protest when Lucas suggested they start eating.

A pang of discomfort twisted in Raymond's chest, accompanied by a sour taste he couldn't quite identify.

Without a moment's hesitation, he made his way to the table adjacent to Selena's.