Chapter 145

Cecilia's pov I greeted him with my most professional smile as he stepped into the dining room. "Good evening, Alpha Sebastian." Alpha Sebastian stared at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. He took a seat across from me, his eyes drifting to the conspicuous gift box sitting between us. "What's this? For me?" "Just a small token of my appreciation," I quickly explained, leaning forward slightly. "For everything you did in Boulder. I wasn't sure how to properly thank you, so... this is from my personal collection. It's a porcelain piece I've treasured. I hope you'll like it." His expression grew noticeably colder. I placed my hands on the table, fingers interlaced, desperately maintaining my smile while he sat in icy silence. The atmosphere between us thickened with tension. "Let's eat before the food gets cold," Liam suggested from nearby, breaking the uncomfortable silence. I picked up my chopsticks, grateful for the distraction. Alpha Sebastian remained motionless, the air ar