The Tyrant's Stolen Bride-Chapter 111: Never Underestimate a Plain Appearance
Kane urged Lyra to take a seat, offering to get whatever she wanted, but she shook her head. She preferred to serve herself.
Together, they moved along the buffet, scooping up dishes and arranging them on the table where they planned to sit.
They sat facing each other, fully absorbed in their meal, unaware of the lingering gaze watching them from afar.
Their quiet moment didn’t last long as the echo of approaching footsteps broke the calm around them.
"Kane..." The familiar voice drifted softly, and he immediately turned toward the person approaching their table.
Lyra didn’t notice at first, not until the woman pulled out the chair beside her and sat down without hesitation.
She paused for a moment, her gaze sliding to the woman before shifting to Kane, realizing it was the same person who had been with him earlier.
Nova deliberately ignored her and asked Kane, "I didn’t have the chance to ask you earlier. When will Rowan return to the hotel?"
Lyra quickly covered her lower face, waving her hand rapidly, which made Kane worry that the interruption had made her uncomfortable.
He answered quickly, "Miss Nova, I’m not sure when my boss will be returning to the hotel. Is there something urgent?"
His gaze then flicked to Lyra, who had nearly regained her composure and resumed her meal, her brows drawn together as though she were holding back a trace of discomfort.
"No, no. It’s not urgent, but of course, it’s about business."
"In that case, I’ll give you Damian’s number. You can contact him later." Kane reached into his pocket to grab his phone, but Nova shook her head.
"It’s fine. I’ll wait here with you," she suggested, completely unbothered by her boldness.
Kane blinked rapidly, as if he’d misheard.
Lyra then gently tapped her shoulder and asked politely, "Madam, do you intend to join us for the meal?"
Nova turned sharply, raising an eyebrow as she brushed off the shoulder Lyra had tapped, disgusted by the touch.
"No, thanks," she said, turning her face away with a look of distaste.
In her eyes, Lyra’s plain attire marked her as nothing more than an ordinary person, perhaps Rowan’s staff or merely one of Kane’s acquaintances.
She had no time to spare on someone she deemed beneath her attention. She only bothered being pleasant to people who could offer her something in return.
Kane frowned. Nova was clearly being disrespectful to his madam. He wiped his mouth and fixed her with an unpleasant glare.
"Miss Nova, since you clearly have no intention of eating with us, I expect you to excuse yourself."
Lyra nodded, agreeing with Kane.
"I’m sorry, but you’re blocking my food... and your perfume is a bit strong for me." Lyra pointed to her slightly reddened nose.
"It’s making my nose itchy. If it’s not too much trouble, could you perhaps sit a couple of tables away?"
Lyra gave a small, polite wave, indicating she should step aside.
Nova stood abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she caught the gesture meant to brush her off.
"How dare you disrespect me." She raised her hand, intent clear in her eyes.
Lyra froze, then squeezed her eyes shut and let out a startled cry, bracing herself for the impact that never came.
A firm grip stopped the strike.
Lyra opened her eyes to see Kane holding the wrist.
"Miss Nova, it would be best if you left," Kane said coldly.
Nova snorted, yanked her hand free, and turned on her heel, storming out of the dining area without looking back.
Kane watched until she disappeared from sight, then let out a quiet sigh. His gaze returned to Lyra, who had already focused back on her plate as if nothing had happened.
"I’m sorry, madam. I didn’t expect her to cross the line."
"That’s fine. She’s already left." She had only come down for a meal and wanted to enjoy it.
The look of disgust on Nova’s face made it clear she didn’t like her, though Lyra had no idea why and she didn’t bother to acknowledge it.
After the meal, her stomach pleasantly full and she asked Kane to walk with her to the mall next to the hotel, just to wander around and browse for a bit.
When they returned to the hotel, they ran into Rowan sitting with Nova on one of the lobby sofas. Kane hesitating for a moment, but he followed her as she continued straight toward the elevators.
Lyra glanced back at Kane when she noticed he was still following her.
"Kane, I’m going up to my room. You don’t need to come with me."
"Oh, okay. If anything comes up, give me a call," he said, then stepped away after Lyra entered the elevator.
He went straight to Damian, joining him as they stood behind Rowan. His eyes locked on Nova as he waited to expose her unforgivable actions.
Rowan noticed Kane and stopped mid conversation. His eyes swept the surrounding area, searching for Lyra.
"Where’s my wife?" Rowan asked.
"Madam has already gone up to her room."
"Oh..." Rowan turned back to Nova, one brow lifting slightly.
"Miss Nova?" He waved a hand in front of her face, puzzled by the way she had suddenly frozen.
Nova glanced toward Kane and stammered, "That... that woman earlier, she..."
Kane finished her sentence with a smirk. "She’s Mrs. Pierce. The very woman you thought you could lay a hand on is his wife."
He tilted his head toward Rowan.
Now Nova realized her mistake. "I... I thought she was your..."
"What?" Kane cut in sharply. "No matter who she is... you had no right to act out of line. Do you understand me?"
He didn’t care whether Nova came from wealth or held some elevated status. Standing there beside Rowan, Kane spoke without hesitation, certain his boss would back him up if it came to that.
Nova’s face turned pale the moment she noticed Rowan’s expression darken.
"What are you doing to my wife?"
Her breath hitched.
If she had known from the start that the young woman earlier was his wife, she would have flattered Lyra without hesitation.
Now, not a single word would come out of her mouth. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her guilt written plainly across her face.
Rowan rose to his feet.
"It seems this discussion is over. Your business is no longer my concern."
