The CEO's Secret Obsession-Chapter 138: Dinner in the Reid Mansion(II)

The iron gates opened slowly, silently, revealing the long, lantern-lit driveway stretching toward the mansion.

Patricia leaned forward in the car window the moment the house came into view.

"Oh," she breathed. "Oh wow."

Evelyn felt it too.

Even though she had been here once years ago, briefly and awkwardly, this felt different.

The mansion looked brighter, fuller somehow. Warm light spilled from the tall windows, softening the grandeur she remembered into something almost welcoming.

"It’s even bigger than the pictures," Patricia muttered. "I knew the Reid mansion was massive, but this? This is cinematic."

Evelyn smiled, eyes still fixed on the house. "It does feel different," she said quietly. "I don’t remember it looking like this."

As the car rolled to a stop, staff stepped forward immediately.

Doors opened and greetings followed, respectful, composed and effortless.

"Welcome, Miss Carter."

"Welcome."

Patricia straightened instinctively, suddenly hyper-aware of her surroundings. "Okay," she whispered to Evelyn as they stepped out. "I am officially intimidated."

Evelyn laughed softly. "Same."

They walked up the steps together, heels clicking against stone polished by decades of footsteps and the doors opened before they reached them.

Inside, the air was warm and carried the faint scent of fresh flowers and something cooking—comfort layered beneath luxury.

Patricia slowed, taking it all in. The ceilings, the chandeliers and the quiet efficiency of the staff.

"I feel like I should whisper," she said under her breath.

Evelyn glanced around again, absorbing the space with fresh eyes. "It’s strange," she admitted. "The last time I was here, it felt formal but today it feels lived in."

Patricia tilted her head. "That’s Pauline energy, isn’t it?"

Evelyn nodded. "Yeah. It really is."

Before Patricia could respond, familiar footsteps approached.

Alexander appeared at the far end of the hall.

His expression shifted the moment he saw Evelyn.

"You made it," he said. "I told you I would pick you up but—"

Evelyn smiled, warmth blooming in her chest. "It’s fine, we made it anyway."

Lucas followed a second later, grinning. "And you brought backup."

Patricia lifted a brow. "Excuse you. I am a feature."

Lucas laughed. "Fair enough."

Patricia barely had time to finish her slow spin, taking in the high ceilings and chandeliers, when a familiar voice cut in.

"You are staring like you are chasing the place," Lucas drawled. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She turned, eyes narrowing instantly. "I am appreciating architecture. You wouldn’t understand."

"Wow," he said, mock-offended. "And here I thought you came for the company."

She snorted. "Please. If I wanted chaos, I would have stayed home."

Lucas stepped closer, grinning. "Funny, because chaos followed you here."

Evelyn watched them with an amused smile, already sensing where this was headed.

Patricia crossed her arms. "You know, for someone who claims this house is his childhood playground, you sure sound threatened by a little admiration."

Lucas leaned in just slightly. "Only when it comes from loud, reckless admirers."

"Oh, I heard that," she shot back. "And for your information, I am neither reckless nor loud. I am expressive."

"Dangerous," Lucas corrected smoothly.

Their back-and-forth drew quiet attention.

Margaret entered the room then, cane tapping once against the floor.

She paused, watching the exchange with sharp, entertained eyes.

"Well," she remarked dryly, "this is livelier than I expected."

Behind her, Pauline stepped in.

She was dressed with effortless grace, calm and composed, her presence immediately grounding the room. She took in the scene—the banter, the familiarity, the ease—and a faint smile touched her lips.

"Seems we have good energy tonight," Pauline said gently.

Lucas straightened at once. Patricia did too, though her eyes still sparkled with mischief.

Evelyn caught Pauline’s gaze and smiled.

"There you are," Pauline said warmly as she pulled Evelyn for a warm hug

Evelyn’s chest loosened at the sound of her voice. "Thanks for the invite," she said as she hugged her back.

"Don’t mention it dear, it’s your house too now."

Pauline’s gaze flicked briefly to Patricia and Lucas—still standing close, clearly mid-banter—and something knowing passed through her eyes.

"I see introductions have already begun," she said lightly.

Lucas shrugged. "She started it."

Patricia gasped. "Lies. Absolute lies."

The banter between Lucas and Patricia was still going when the air changed.

Not loudly or dramatically, it was just noticeable.

Just then, Olivia entered.

Her heels were soft against the marble, her smile practiced and her posture flawless but the room felt tighter the second she stepped in.

Patricia’s teasing slowed. Lucas straightened a fraction. Even Evelyn felt it, that faint prickle at the back of her neck.

Margaret noticed too.

She always did.

"Well," Margaret said briskly, tapping her cane once against the floor, "since everyone is here, let’s move to the table. I am starving."

Pauline turned just as Olivia spoke.

"Benjamin isn’t here yet," Olivia said lightly, though her eyes were already searching the room. "Shouldn’t we wait?"

Pauline didn’t miss a beat.

"He is tied up in a meeting," she replied calmly. "He won’t be joining us for dinner."

Olivia blinked.

"Oh," she said, a touch too quickly. "He didn’t mention that to me."

No one responded.

Not because they were being rude but because there was nothing to add.

Margaret was already moving toward the dining room, Alexander at her side. Lucas followed, leaning down to murmur something to Patricia that made her snort softly. Evelyn slipped in beside Alexander, her fingers brushing his sleeve as they walked.

Olivia remained where she was for half a second longer.

Her phone was in her hand now.

There were no missed calls, no messages.

Her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before she forced her smile back into place and followed them to the table.

Benjamin hadn’t called. He hadn’t texted or even acknowledged her.

And that silence felt louder than any argument ever could.

Dinner began and as the plates were served and glasses filled, Olivia smiled and nodded at the right moments but inside, something sharp and bitter twisted.

Because being excluded wasn’t new.

But being ignored?

That was something else entirely.

....