Chapter 5. Dinner

Lucian hadn't said a word since the incident.

In our room, only the sound of rain on the windowpane could be heard. His hands were still trembling slightly, but his face remained as cold as marble as he stared at the laptop screen on his lap.

"You almost died today," I finally said.

"Nothing new," he replied flatly.

I stared at him intently. "What are you going to do now?"

He turned his head, his gaze piercing. "You already know the answer, don't you?"

My breath caught in my throat. "What do you mean?" I had a feeling the enemy was in the same house as us, but I didn't have any proof yet. I didn't mean to hide my suspicions—until this morning's incident.

"Well, I shouldn't be surprised. I suspected people in this family were trying to destroy me. I shouldn't have overreacted when I saw that name," he said coldly, his hands suddenly clenching into fists.

My eyes were fixed on the laptop screen in front of him. That name—Gregory Blackwood, Lucian's biological father—stared back at us from the screen. Of all the people in this house, it was that name that came up after the investigation.

I didn't know what kind of relationship the father and son had. At first, I thought someone was using Gregory's identity to frame him. But seeing Lucian's reaction, it was clear that their relationship was not good.

I sighed softly. Well, I shouldn't have been surprised. My relationship with my own biological father wasn't very good either—though it didn't go as far as killing each other.

A knock on the door brought me back to reality.

"Sir and Madam, the master is waiting for you in the dining room," said a servant after I opened the door.

I turned to Lucian, who was still sitting on the bed with his laptop. He didn't seem interested; his bad mood permeated the entire room. I was about to politely refuse.

"I'm sorry—"

"Tell Grandpa we'll be down in a minute," Lucian interrupted without looking up.

"Yes, sir," replied the servant, then bowed and left.

"Are you sure?" I asked once we were alone.

Lucian slammed his laptop shut and stood up. He walked slowly toward me, each step tightening the air between us.

I didn't know what he was going to do, but my feet were frozen in place. I gasped when his hand suddenly tucked my hair behind my ear. His movements were gentle—too gentle—but the cold that flowed from his fingertips made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"Prepare yourself," he whispered in my ear. "We are the perfect couple. Okay?"

I held my breath. To survive in this lion's den, I had to learn this man's emotions well. I didn't know what he would do, or think.

I just nodded. Of course, I didn't forget my main task. Being the wife of Lucian Blackwood was not an easy act—but my role had only just begun.

***

Dinner in this luxurious room was far more stressful than I'd expected. No one spoke except for the clinking of glasses and cutlery.

For someone used to hardship, eating at the same table as the large Blackwood family felt harder than going hungry for several days.

Nervousness got the better of me—I dropped my fork. I immediately found it difficult to swallow when all eyes were on me.

"Lucian, didn't you teach your future wife table manners?" Wynne Blackwood, Arthur Blackwood's third child and Lucian's aunt, quipped.

"Wynne, you shouldn't be surprised. Even though her appearance has changed, she's still the same inside," said Amira, Jasper Blackwood's wife, the fourth child in the family and Mr. Arthur's daughter-in-law.

Edward Blackwood, the second son, only cleared his throat softly—as if trying to stop the pressure exerted by the two middle-aged women.

"I'm not surprised—she's not from the same class as us. Don't make a fuss, just give her a new fork," said Mr. Gregory, Lucian's father, the first son. Ah, now I know where Lucian inherited his cold nature from.

A servant had already approached and given me a new fork after cleaning up the small mess I'd made.

Honestly, I'd rather go hungry for days than have to face this kind of atmosphere every night.

Lucian's hand snapped me back to reality. He stroked my hand gently.

"I like Selene just the way she is," he said calmly. "At first I was going to refuse dinner tonight because I thought Selene wouldn't be comfortable here and would be compared in an unflattering way."

His gaze shifted sharply to his aunts, who looked annoyed by Lucian's confrontation, but when he returned to me, his gaze softened—too softly.

"But Selene consciously agreed to attend this dinner to honor you all."

Damn. I should've known he had a talent for acting ever since he came to my mother's house to ask for her blessing to marry me.

This time I was fully aware that Lucian was defending me in front of his family—but on the other hand, he was slapping me with the fact that I was the one who had initially wanted to refuse to attend tonight.

He was indirectly telling me that I should think long and hard before making a decision.

My eyes widened when Lucian suddenly took my plate. He cut the meat with his knife, then with the same fork he had used before, he speared a piece of meat and held it right in front of my lips.

This was punishment.

Damn, I wanted to grumble, but I knew Lucian was saving me without losing his role.

Hesitantly, I opened my mouth and accepted the bite. From this close, only I could feel the sharp gaze he was hiding.

Damn Lucian. I don't know how many times I cursed him in my heart.

The food felt like sandpaper in my throat until Mr. Arthur's voice broke the silence.

"Newlyweds are like that, so instead of going straight to work, it would be better if you focused on giving me grandchildren," he said.

I coughed immediately. Lucian quickly gave me a drink.

I don't know if it was just my imagination, but I could swear he laughed softly. Was he laughing at me?

"I heard you had an accident on your way to work this morning," Mr. Arthur said again.

Lucian's gaze immediately became sharp again. This man had been gloomy all day because of that problem, and now they were bringing it up at the wrong time.

"Is that true? Are you okay?" asked Uncle Edward, worried—in contrast to Mr. Gregory, who seemed calm.

"He wouldn't be having dinner with us if he were seriously injured," said Mr. Gregory, still in a cold tone.

"Have you investigated it?" asked Mr. Arthur, the old money grandfather who seemed more concerned than usual.

"Father, isn't this serious? That car is Blackwood Motors' flagship product. Even though he managed to get married, I don't think Lucian is fit to lead. One leak to the public, and the reputation of our flagship product will be ruined," Aunt Wynne snapped.

"All access to the Blackwood family's private network will be quarantined starting tonight," Lucian's voice echoed.

Mr. Gregory stared sharply at his son. "You're accusing your own family?"

"I'm not accusing," Lucian replied softly, "I'm just reading the facts."

The room suddenly fell silent.

Ethan suddenly entered the room carrying a tablet, handing it to Mr. Arthur.

I pretended to focus on the food in front of me, even though I knew the report likely contained forensic results sourced from the Blackwood Estate's internal network. And one name suspected in this case was also listed there.