Chapter 201

"Thanks." Samantha Quin casually took the tissue Nicholas Perkins handed over. Nicholas dropped his gaze and went back to eating. Alexander Perkins dabbed the tissue at the corner of his mouth, lips curling almost imperceptibly. Caitlin Jordan sat at the host's seat, playing the polite hostess. She spoke to Nicholas pleasantly enough, but it wasn’t hard to tell—when someone switches to polite mode, it usually means there’s a wall up now. Nicholas clearly sensed the chill too. A flash of disappointment crossed his face. Awkward silence started creeping over the dinner table. Once the meal was done, Nicholas made a quick excuse and went back to the family house without lingering. When he left, everyone in the villa seemed to collectively exhale—it was like a pressure valve finally released. His presence was just… tense. "Alexander…” Samantha stood at the door, watching Nicholas’s car vanish, her brows slightly drawn. "You know, you really should start calling me 'husband'," Alexander cut