Chapter 328
Author’s POV
“Owen, Mom’s talking to you. Are you even listening?” Vivian Duncan couldn’t understand why her brother seemed so impatient after just ten minutes at the table, already distracted and barely responding.
Patricia Duncan frowned slightly. “Is there something urgent at the company? If you need to handle business, you can go. Vivian can keep me company p>
Owen Duncan lazily shifted his gaze back to the table. “It’s nothing important.” Patricia nodded once. “About the Cooper family’s daughter—what do you think?” “I don’t think anything about it,” he replied dismissively.
His eyes drifted again to Aria, sitting about a few tables behind. From this distance, Owen couldn’t see her clearly, only catching glimpses of her smile as she chatted with her friend. Then, as if something troubling had been said, her smile faded, replaced by what appeared to be sadness.
Patricia was visibly displeased with his response. “You’re thirty years old, Owen. How much longer are you planning to stay single? Your father will be furious if you don’t settle down soon p>
Owen scoffed lightly. “I’m fine with getting married, but I’ll choose who p>
Vivian’s eyebrows shot up at her brother’s words. “You’re not seriously interested in that woman, are you p>
Patricia looked confused. “What woman p>
Owen’s playboy reputation was something Patricia had long since accepted. She rarely paid attention to the women in his life, knowing they were never serious enough to bring home.
But his statement about choosing for himself, combined with Vivian’s reaction, immediately put Patricia on alert.
“Your brother has a new girlfriend?” As far as she knew, Owen hadn’t been dating anyone for the past six months.
Vivian curled her lip disdainfully. “She’s not his girlfriend. She’s just a manipulative gold-digger p>
“Vivian!” Owen’s face darkened instantly, causing Vivian to glance nervously toward their mother.
Patricia gave her daughter a warning look. “Mind your language p>
She turned back to Owen. “Which family is she from? Let me see her p>
“She’s not interested in your son, so stop asking,” Owen replied coolly, clearly unwilling to elaborate.
Patricia exchanged a look with Vivian but decided to drop the subject for now. After they finished their meal, Owen stood up to settle the bill.
Patricia immediately turned to her daughter. “Do you know who this woman is that your brother likes p>
“I’ve seen her a few times. She’s exactly the type I warned you about last month,” Vivian whispered urgently.
After hearing her daughter’s explanation, Patricia’s expression soured. “If what you’re saying is true, then this woman certainly has sophisticated tactics p>
“Exactly! Look at my brother-he’s always been such a player, but now he’s completely wrapped around her finger. He’s already defended her several times, and they’re not even together yet! Mom, I’m telling you, you absolutely cannot let this woman into our family. If she gets in, Owen will do whatever she says p>
Though Patricia suspected her daughter might be exaggerating, she couldn’t deny the logic. Owen had never bothered defending his casual flings before, especially not against Vivian’s comments.
Owen wasn’t some innocent, inexperienced boy. If this was just another casual relationship, he wouldn’t care what his sister said about the woman.
The more Patricia thought about it, the more concerned she became. “I need to meet this woman myself p>
Meanwhile, across the restaurant, Aria had just signaled for the check when the waiter approached with unexpected news.
“Miss, your table’s bill has already been settled p>
Aria’s eyes widened in confusion. “What p>
“Who’s our generous benefactor?” Linda asked with raised eyebrows.
Aria frowned. “Could you tell me who paid for us? Did they leave any message p>
The waiter shook his head, looking equally perplexed. “No message, miss. The gentleman only mentioned that you were his friend and that he wanted to cover your entire table p>
Linda immediately caught the key detail. “Gentleman p>
The waiter nodded. “Yes, a very handsome gentleman p>
Linda glanced at Aria, about to tease her by asking if it was her husband, but noticing her friend’s troubled expression, she softened her smile. “Thank you. You can go now p>
After the waiter left, Linda leaned forward. “Aria, do you know who paid for us?” Aria bit her lip, looking genuinely distressed as she nodded. “I think I do p>
Just Saturday, she and Lillian had gone out for dinner, and Owen Duncan had picked up their tab. Now, barely a day later, he’d done the same thing while she was with Linda.
Aria found Owen’s behavior both troubling and inappropriate. She felt she needed to have a serious conversation with him about these boundaries.
But not now. Her time with Linda was precious and rare-they deserved to enjoy it without distractions.
Seeing Aria’s reluctance to discuss it further, Linda tactfully changed the subject. “Shall we go shopping then p>
Aria pushed her concerns aside and smiled at her friend. “Yes! I know this amazing dessert place Lillian discovered. The atmosphere is wonderful p>
“Perfect p>
As the two women left the restaurant, they were completely unaware of the scene unfolding at a nearby table.
“Hahaha! Rowan, your ex-wife just
told everyone you have erectile dysfunction A man’s booming… laughter echoed through the
restaurant, drawing curious glances from other diners.
Sitting across from him, Rowan Williams’ face darkened to an almost dangerous degree as he watched Linda’s retreating figure. The temperature around him
seemed to drop several degrees, his eyes filled with cold fury.
“Laugh all you want, Marcus,” Rowan finally spoke, his voice deceptively calm.
“She’ll regret making those claims in public p>
Marcus sobered slightly at his friend’s tone. “Come on, man. It’s been two months since the divorce. Let it go p>
“It doesn’t matter.” Rowan swirled the amber liquid in his glass before downing it in
one gulp. “Nobody humiliates me and walks away unscathed p>
He pulled out his phone and made a quick call. “want everything on Linda Smith’s current schedule in New York. Every performance every meeting, every hotel reservation. He paused, listening. “Yes, that includes her friend. The woman she’s with now p>