Chapter 102 Welcome to my Life
The voice came from behind her.
It was smooth, amused and familiar and Veyra turned her head.
Wesley Wynn stood in the doorway. He wore a tailored charcoal suit. His hair was immaculate. His smile was pleasant, but his eyes were sharp.
"Mrs. Thorne," he said. "What a surprise."
Veyra’s hand tightened on the table.
"Mr. Wynn."
"I heard you were here. Thought I’d stop by." He stepped into the room. His shoes were silent on the carpet. "I also heard someone ran out of here like his hair was on fire."
Veyra said nothing.
Wesley walked to the table. He pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. He folded his hands on the table.
"So," he said. "What did you do to Xavier Lala?"
"He needed to wash his face."
Wesley tilted his head. "People don’t run to the restroom to wash their faces after a pleasant conversation."
Veyra picked up her water glass. She took a sip. The bubbles were cold on her tongue.
"We had a disagreement."
"About what?"
"Business."
Wesley’s smile widened. "You’re not going to tell me, are you?"
"I’m not."
He leaned back. His eyes studied her face. She did not look away.
"You’re interesting, Mrs. Thorne. I’ve said that before. But each time I see you, you become more interesting."
Veyra set down her glass.
"Thank you," she said. Her voice was flat.
"Was that a compliment?"
"It was a statement."
Wesley laughed. "You’re difficult to read."
"I’ve been told that."
He leaned forward. His voice dropped.
"Your relationship with Xavier Lala must be unusual. A woman who slaps a man doesn’t usually stay in his private dining room afterward."
Veyra’s eyes narrowed.
"That’s not your business."
"Everything in my restaurant is my business."
"Then you should know that your customers’ private conversations are not your business."
Wesley’s smile did not waver. But something behind his eyes flickered.
Veyra’s voice was cold.
"You’re crossing boundaries, Mr. Wynn. And I don’t appreciate it."
Wesley was silent for a moment and then he nodded.
"You’re right," he said. "I apologize."
Veyra did not respond.
"I have a habit of being too curious." He stood up. "It’s a flaw. I’m working on it."
He walked toward the door. His hand was on the frame.
He turned back.
"One more thing, Mrs. Thorne."
She waited.
"Xavier Lala is a good man. He doesn’t deserve to be toyed with." Wesley paused. "I hope you know what you’re doing."
He left.
Veyra stared at the empty doorway.
Wesley Wynn. He was too sharp. Too perceptive. He had seen something in her interaction with Xavier. He had guessed something.
She did not know how much he knew. She did not know how much he suspected.
But she would be careful around him.
The door opened again.
Xavier Lala stepped inside.
His face was dry. His hair was slightly damp at the temples. He had washed his face thoroughly. But his eyes were clear.
He walked to the table. He stopped beside the chair Wesley had just vacated.
He looked at Veyra.
"Teacher Grace," he said. His voice was respectful. Formal. "I apologize for my earlier reaction."
Veyra blinked. "Teacher?"
"Dr. Harrison told me about you. About everything." He pulled out the chair and set it straight. "You’ve earned that title."
He gestured to the chair he had just adjusted.
"Please sit."
Veyra stood up. She walked around the table. She sat down in the chair he had prepared.
Xavier sat across from her. His posture was straight. His hands were folded on the table.
"About the slap," he said.
"Yes?"
"Was that necessary?"
Veyra studied his face. He was calm. Composed. He was not angry. He was curious.
"You passed," she said.
"Passed what?"
"An emotional control test."
Xavier’s brow furrowed.
"I needed to see how you react under pressure. When someone insults you. Challenges you. Provokes you." She paused. "You didn’t lose your temper. You didn’t retaliate you instead called the security."
Xavier’s expression flickered. "You planned it."
"From the moment I sat down."
He was quiet for a moment.
"You slapped me on purpose," he said slowly. "To see if I would hit you back."
"I needed to know if you could control your emotions. A business partner who reacts impulsively is a liability."
Xavier considered this. Then he nodded slowly.
"You’re right," he said. "Emotional stability is as important as capability."
Veyra leaned back. She let out a breath she had not known she was holding.
"You passed," she said again.
"Thank you."
"And I’m sorry about the slap."
Xavier’s mouth twitched. "I’ve had worse."
"I don’t doubt it."
He looked at her. His eyes were curious. Searching.
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
"Yes."
"Your relationship with Caspian Thorne. You knew him."
Veyra’s jaw tightened.
"I did."
"Your history with him—it’s complicated."
"Very complicated."
Xavier waited. He did not press.
Veyra looked at the window. The city glittered below.
"He’s my ex-husband," she said.
Xavier’s eyes widened. His composure cracked for the first time.
"Your ex-husband," he repeated.
"Yes."
"Caspian Thorne was your husband."
"Yes, for seven years. He lied to me for seven years. He let my mother die. He locked me in a basement." Her voice was calm. "I left him some months ago."
Xavier was silent for a long moment.
Then he said, "He doesn’t know you’re Grace."
"No."
"And he tried to partner with you."
"He tried to partner with someone he thought was a stranger." Veyra paused. "He failed."
Xavier shook his head slowly.
"This is..."
"Complicated?"
"I was going to say unprecedented."
Veyra smiled. It was a thin smile. "Welcome to my life."