All Chapters of Doted by the Ruthless Billionaire: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The long dining table had been moved into the garden, lanterns glowing faintly as the last of the daylight faded into dusk. The air was fresh, carrying the faint perfume of flowers mixed with the savory aroma of Celeste’s cooking. The soft clinking of plates and the hum of quiet conversation gave the whole scene a rare kind of peace Lyra hadn’t felt in years.She sat at the head of the table, though not by choice, Elias had guided her there, his hand steady against her back, insisting she take the place of honor. Across from her, Celeste was fussing with napkins, smoothing them down though they were already perfect.“You should eat more than just soup tonight,” Celeste said kindly, sliding a warm dish toward Lyra. “I made something light, don’t worry. You need your strength back.”Lyra’s lips curved faintly. “If you’re determined to feed me like a child, I won’t argue.”Celeste chuckled, and Camelle leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially,“Don’t resist her. She’ll keep pi

She rose, moving toward the karaoke set, taking the microphone with a small, nervous smile. Her voice started softly, barely above a whisper, but the warmth of the room around her lent strength.Elias leaned casually against the doorway, coffee in hand, his dark eyes quietly following her every movement. The soft glow of the lanterns caught the angles of her face, highlighting the faint curiosity and nervousness in her gray-moon eyes.Kade bounced impatiently beside the microphone, nudging Theo aside, but Lyra barely noticed. Her gaze flicked to Elias, seeking a subtle signal, a thread of reassurance. He didn't speak, only tilted his head slightly, and quietly went ahead.Rio shifted a few feet away, hesitant, clearly nervous under the weight of both Lyra's and Elias's gaze."Uh... Lyra," he murmured, voice low, "you... you should sing. I'll sing with you if you want."Elias's lips curved faintly, a subtle acknowledgment. He gave a small nod toward Rio, silently telling him it was okay

After breakfast, Elias left for the Vale office with his subordinates, their laughter echoing faintly in the hallway until the heavy double doors closed behind them.The house fell silent.It was the kind of silence that had followed Lyra since childhood…...deep, waiting, almost suffocating. She lingered in it for a moment, her fingers curled around the warmth of her coffee cup. The rich aroma rose with steam, curling upward into the cool air like smoke from a hidden fire.She walked the familiar path toward her study. The floorboards beneath her feet groaned softly, and the portraits on the walls stared down with their cold, painted eyes. When she reached the door, she paused. She always did. That room was not merely a chamber, it was a battlefield, where secrets sharpened into weapons.Lyra pushed it open.Inside, Yani, Korin, Rane, and Sylas were already waiting. They had not spoken; their silence was disciplined, heavy with expectation. The way they rose when she entered was not h

Meanwhile....Lyra sat in her office, high in the eastern wing of the house. The room was quiet now, Yani and the Shadow dismissed hours ago. Only the sound of the sea pressed faintly against the tall glass windows, the waves breathing steadily in the night.The black envelope rested on the table in front of her. Heavy card stock. A golden seal pressed into wax like a crown. She hadn't opened it again.... she didn't need to.The Grande Crow. Not an invitation. A summons. A trap.And she already knew whose hand had written it. Liam Moreau's shadow had been circling too close, too desperate, for this to be anyone else's move. But Elias didn't know she had already pieced it together. She wanted to hear the name from his lips.Her phone buzzed quietly against the desk. She glanced at the caller ID. Elias.A small curve touched her mouth, sharp at the edges. So, he would come to her first.She answered. "Elias."His voice carried over the line, steady, but she could hear the wear of long h

The clink of silverware echoed softly in the grand dining room, the long-polished mahogany table stretching between them, heavy with food that no one seemed eager to touch. Platters of roasted meat, crystal bowls of salad, and delicate pastries sat cooling under the chandeliers, untouched as though they were more display than nourishment.Richard sat at the head of the table, posture slightly slouched, his reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose as he scrolled through files on his sleek tablet. His fork moved absently across his plate, pushing food around without any real intention of eating it. His mind was clearly elsewhere calculations, projects, and problems far beyond the walls of this dining room.Beatrice set her utensils down a little too loudly, the sharp sound slicing through the quiet like a blade. She curved her lips into a brittle smile, though her eyes were sharp as glass.“Richard,” she began, voice measured but edged with tension, “Lyra was discharged from the