Chapter 11

When Fraser sat down across from her, his expression didn't even twitch. He gave her a small nod, totally indifferent. Lydia had been hoping for some praise or maybe a hint of surprise, but when none of that came, she forced a smile anyway, trying to keep up the elegant and graceful act in front of him. Marianne noticed the disappointment too, and though she wasn't thrilled either, she was more composed. She offered a gentle smile. "Fraser, doesn't Lydia's outfit suit her nicely? She looks so light and full of life in it." "Does it?" Fraser barely lifted his eyelids as his gaze briefly swept over Lydia. "I must have a poor eye. Can't really tell. Though I remember Bellamy wore something similar once-it looked pretty fresh and lively on her." He said it so casually, like it meant nothing. But Lydia's face changed instantly. Her fingers clenched the hem of her dress so tightly she looked about ready to tear it to shreds. Marianne was momentarily stunned and didn't know what to say next. Alexander Grant, Lydia's father, aware of his daughter's interest in Fraser and seeing things going south fast, stepped in to save the moment. "Fraser, you really are impressive! A couple years back when I was in Amerden talking business, one of my partners mentioned you-youngest top executive on Wall Street, turned a nearly bankrupt software company around and even got it listed on Nasdaq. That's nothing short of a miracle." Alexander had a polished yet menacing air about him-years in business had sharpened him. Even his compliments felt like veiled threats. Primewell Group, Alexander's company, had a shady past, but he'd covered it all up cleanly. Fraser had no particular fondness for him. Despite respecting his seniority, he had no patience for polite pretenses. So he just smiled faintly and replied, "You flatter me, Mr. Grant." Alexander caught the cold tone but brushed it off with a laugh, turning instead to clink glasses with Arthur. Meanwhile, Marianne had perked back up again, pulling Lydia close and trying every angle to steer the conversation toward Fraser and her. But Fraser, once he switched to "emotionally unavailable" mode, was like a solid wall-nothing could faze him. No matter how much Lydia tossed conversation bait with Marianne cheering from the side, he stayed quiet and unreadable. As things slowly slipped into awkward silence, Axel Branwell, Fraser's big brother, finally arrived in a bit of a rush. "Sorry, everyone, flight got delayed. I'll take three shots as punishment!" Axel, with his chiseled features and those well-defined brows, looked every bit the no-nonsense military man. He downed three shots straight like it was nothing. Fraser frowned and snatched the glass away in disgust. "Do your punishment, sure, but don't use mine!" He waved a waiter over to set Axel up with a full place setting while Axel plopped down next to him, smiling like a kid at Christmas. He gave Fraser a good once-over, even reached over to pinch him. "Damn, it's only been a month and you've bulked up again. You're catching up to me." Fraser rolled his eyes and scooted his chair a bit further away. "And you've come back even darker than before. Took me a second to recognize you." The two brothers kept roasting each other, back and forth, like they were on a comedy show instead of at an awkward arranged date dinner. With nothing better to cling to, Fraser decided to ride out the dinner by bickering with Axel. Toward the end of the meal, he quietly slipped out his phone, dodged Marianne's gaze, and sent Bellamy a text. [You home now? If not, where are you? I'll come get you.] Instead of texting back, Bellamy just called. Fraser picked up and heard her yelling over the noise, "I'm drinking people under the table right now!"