Chapter 16 Green Tea Reheated
Arielle had a bad feeling the moment she stepped out of the car.
Not the dramatic, thunder-striking kind.
The quiet, creeping one.
The kind that whispered, Something is about to happen.
Again.
She adjusted her sunglasses and glanced sideways at Emrys, who was already scanning the surroundings like a professional bodyguard instead of a celebrity idol with too much free time.
“You’re frowning,” she said.
Emrys shrugged.
“I sensed danger.”
She snorted. “You sensed drama.”
Same thing, really.
This was supposed to be simple.
A normal outing.
A second “date”—if one could call it that—with the youngest son, carefully negotiated after yesterday’s chaos.
Coffee. Dessert. Leave.
No husbands.
No media.
No green tea.
…The universe laughed.
They had barely sat down when Arielle felt it.
That gaze.
Lingering. Measuring. Familiar in the most unpleasant way.
She slowly looked up.
And there she was.
Lin Yue.
White Moonlight.
Former “innocent friend.”
Recently exposed Green Tea.
Lin Yue stood a few steps away, dressed in soft colors, expression hesitant—like she hadn’t been chased out of this very house less than twenty-four hours ago.
Arielle’s eyebrow twitched.
…Wow.
Bold.
Very bold.
Lin Yue looked surprised.
“Mrs. Cross?”
Her voice was gentle. Controlled.
As if yesterday had never happened.
Emrys stiffened instantly.
“You.”
Lin Yue smiled at him, all careful warmth.
“I didn’t expect to see you here. I was just—”
“—still here?” Arielle finished calmly.
Lin Yue’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second.
Good. Arielle saw it.
So she remembers being exposed.
She just decided to pretend it didn’t happen.
“I didn’t mean to intrude,” Lin Yue said softly, eyes lowering.
“I only wanted to apologize… for any misunderstandings.”
Misunderstandings.
Arielle almost laughed.
“Oh?” Arielle said lightly.
“Which one?”
Lin Yue’s fingers tightened around her bag strap.
Emrys leaned closer to Arielle, voice cool.
“You already apologized yesterday. Father told you to leave.”
There it was.
The reminder.
Lin Yue’s eyes flickered with something sharp—resentment, maybe fear.
“I just wanted to check on Mrs. Cross,” she said quickly.
“Everyone is talking about her lately. I was worried.”
Concerned Green Tea.
Classic flavor.
Arielle smiled politely.
“That’s kind of you,” she said. “But I’m doing very well.
”
She leaned back, relaxed, unbothered.
Which irritated Lin Yue far more than anger ever could.
“I heard you’re acting again,” Lin Yue continued, voice gentle.
“You must be… very busy. Lucian always admired dedication.”
Arielle tilted her head.
“Oh, he told you that?”
Lin Yue hesitated.
Just for a second.
Enough.
Before she could recover—
A shadow fell across the table.
A familiar presence.
A familiar pressure.
Lucian Cross spoke, voice cold and flat.
“I told you yesterday not to come near my wife again.”
Lin Yue froze.
Emrys looked up, visibly relieved.
Arielle…
blinked.
…Wow.
He came fast.
Lucian didn’t even look at Lin Yue properly.
His gaze was sharp, distant—like she was a nuisance he’d already dealt with and didn’t want to repeat himself over.
“This is a public place,” Lin Yue said quietly, attempting dignity.
“I’m allowed to be here.”
Lucian’s eyes flicked to her at last.
“And I’m allowed to remind you,” he said, “that whatever you think you feel, or think you deserve, ended years ago.”
His voice was calm.
Which made it worse.
Lin Yue’s face drained of color.
“I never asked for anything,” she whispered.
Lucian didn’t hesitate.
“And you won’t.
”
Silence fell.
Arielle watched it all with wide eyes.
…So this is how he deals with Green Tea.
Cold. Efficient. No mercy.
Interesting.
Lucian turned to Arielle immediately, expression changing—still serious, but softer.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded slowly.
“I think so.”
Lin Yue looked between them, realization finally sinking in.
This wasn’t a misunderstanding anymore.
She had lost.
“I see,” Lin Yue said softly, forcing a smile.
“I won’t disturb you again.”
This time, she left quickly.
No drama.
No lingering.
Just humiliation carried quietly out the door.
Arielle exhaled.
“Well,” she said, breaking the silence, “that was… awkward.”
Lucian let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I should’ve made sure she stayed away.
”
Emrys raised an eyebrow. “You did. She just didn’t listen.
”
Lucian nodded. “She won’t try again.
”
Arielle looked at him.
Really looked.
Something felt… different.
“You came quickly,” she said.
Lucian didn’t deny it. “I was nearby.”
Which was a lie.
He’d rushed out of a meeting.
She didn’t call him out.
Instead, she stood.
“I’m going to head out,” she said suddenly.
Lucian frowned. “I’ll take you home.
”
“No,” she said. “I’m coming with you.
”
“…What?”
She smiled faintly. “To your company.”
Lucian hesitated.
That place was his armor.
His control zone.
Letting her in felt dangerous.
“I still have work,” he said carefully.
She stepped closer. “So do I.”
Emrys coughed.
“Should I be jealous now or later?”
Arielle laughed.
…Why am I enjoying this?
They ended up in Lucian’s car.
Again.
Lucian drove, tense.
Arielle watched him quietly.
This man chased her away for me.
But he still doesn’t know how to face me.
When they arrived, the sons were already there.
Of course they were.
Rhett: “Why is she here with you?”
Darian: “We were supposed to take her out.”
Zayden: “This was not in the schedule.”
Lucian rubbed his temples.
Arielle stepped forward, amused.
“Relax,” she said.
“I’m not running away.”
All five men froze.
She smiled.
…This is my life now, huh?
And for the first time—
Lucian felt it.
He was no longer the center.
And somehow…
that terrified him.
Author’s Note ??
Hi loves ??
This is the chapter 16 y'all been waiting for. Thanks for the votes, I was surprised when I came to check out the book and I saw that much views too.
So..
?? Lucian already knows Lin Yue
?? Lin Yue is desperate, not mysterious
?? Lucian is cold and firm, not confused
?? Arielle is calm, dominant, and unknowingly powerful
?? Sons are still chaotic and territorial
?? Comment if you enjoyed Lin Yue’s quiet humiliation
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