Ch. 32
Dinner Whispers
The clinking of silverware and the faint hum of a classical piano playing through the speakers filled the Valen family dining hall.
The long table glowed under the chandelier's soft light, lined with crystal glasses and plated courses that looked more like art than food.
Selene sat quietly in her usual spot beside her mother, across from her father and for once, she actually looked tired. A long sigh escaped her lips as she poked at her food. Her mother, elegant as ever, gave her a gentle look.
"Selene, sweetheart," Mrs. Valen said, her tone sweet but laced with mild exasperation.
"Care to explain why your father received a call from the police station today?"
Selene froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. She turned to look at her mother, who was smiling, though her tone carried both amusement and disbelief.
"Mother, it's not what you think—"
"Oh no, no, dear," her mother said, cutting her off softly, "I just didn't expect your first visit to the police station would be because of a fight."
Selene groaned inwardly.
"I wasn't fighting. I was just there."
Across the table, Jaxen Montclair chuckled, leaning slightly on one elbow, his tie loosened after a long day.
"She's telling the truth, Auntie. She handled the situation more maturely than half the adults there."
Mr. Valen simply took a sip of wine, looking as unbothered as always.
"It was only a misunderstanding. She was a witness, not the suspect."
"A witness? To what exactly?" Her mother gasped softly.
Selene sighed, leaning back in her chair.
"A street fight. I was just walking home and somehow got caught in the middle of it. I called the police, that's all."
Her grandmother, seated beside her, blinked in surprise.
"Street fight? Oh dear, in this city?"
Then her grandfather, the retired chairman himself, laughed heartily.
"Hah! A Valen in a street brawl area now that's something! Maybe it runs in our blood!"
"Grandpa," Selene muttered, pressing her lips together to hide a reluctant smile.
Her mother frowned at both of them.
"That's not funny, Father. Selene could've been hurt." The older man only laughed harder.
"What? It's true! Look at your daughter she brings home stories that sound like drama scripts!"
Selene rolled her eyes, though a small smirk tugged at her lips.
"Thanks, Grandpa. That's very comforting."
Her mother chuckled softly.
"Speaking of that... the boy you were with- Raze, was it?"
Selene blinked, unsure whether to be defensive or indifferent.
"Yes. He wasn't with me he just happened to be there."
As the laughter settled, Mr. Valen turned his gaze toward Jaxen.
"I should thank you for coming along earlier, Montclair. Though I don't recall asking for backup."
Jaxen smiled easily, ever the picture of charm.
"You didn't, sir. But I happened to be nearby, and your daughter has a talent for walking into interesting situations."
"You make it sound like I attract trouble." Selene narrowed her eyes.
"You kind of do," he said lightly.
"Both of you," Mrs. Valen sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly."
The conversation drifted after that light chatter about business, travel, and family affairs.
But just as the meal neared its end, Selene noticed something change.
Her father and Jaxen began talking in quieter tones.
Her mother was distracted by dessert being served, and her grandparents were reminiscing about old times.
Selene, on the other hand, leaned back slightly, pretending to check her phone while her ears subtly tuned in.
"She's lucky, it didn't escalate further," Jaxen said softly.
"Raze isn't exactly the safest person to be around."
Her father nodded, his face unreadable.
"Yes, I know. The boy's reputation precedes him but I also know who his father is."
Selene's hand froze midair.
Raze?
"He's the illegitimate son of the city's largest airline owner. The Ryver Air Group." Her father continued quietly, Jaxen nodded.
"That explains his attitude. Must be tough, being acknowledged only by whispers."
"So, he hides under a different name," her father said.
"Raze, huh? His real surname isn't on any record. Convenient for the Ryver family."
Selene's pulse quickened.
Illegitimate son of Ryver Air Group? That kid, Raze?
She looked down at her soup, pretending to stay casual but her mind was already racing.
That dangerous-looking boy who fed stray cats... that smirk... that calm in the middle of chaos and all this time, he was connected to another powerful family in this city?
What kind of twisted novel am I stuck in?
Then her grandfather leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin.
"Raze..." he repeated, a knowing hum in his tone. "I've heard that name before. Isn't he that boy from the Ryver family?"
Selene's fork froze midair.
Her father's brow twitched, a rare sign of discomfort.
"Father."
But the old man went on, chuckling.
"Oh, come on, it's not exactly a secret in business circles. The boy's father is the president of Ryver Air Group— but the kid's an illegitimate son, isn't he? That's why he's not living under the family name."
Selene's grandmother gasped softly.
"Oh, heavens..."
Selene blinked, stunned and confirmed.
They're really talking about Raze being an Illegitimate son...
"So, what do we do about it?" Jaxen's voice broke her thoughts.
"Nothing," Mr. Valen replied.
"If he's trouble, the school will handle it. But if he protects my daughter again..." he took another sip of wine.
"then perhaps I'll owe the Ryvers a thank-you."
Selene nearly choked on her drink.
Excuse me?! Protect who?
Her grandfather laughed again.
"Hah! Or maybe that's how alliances start through chaos in a police station!"
"Father, please." Her mother groaned.
"Can you stop teasing your granddaughter, like that." Her grandmother said to her grandfather. Her father's calm voice broke through.
"Enough gossip," he said firmly.
"The matter's settled. What's important is that no one was hurt seriously."
Her mother nodded quickly, though curiosity still lingered in her eyes.
"Of course, dear."
But Selene could barely eat after that.
She played with her fork, pretending to listen as the conversation drifted elsewhere about business meetings and travel plans while her thoughts circled back to the red-haired boy who looked like trouble incarnate.
Illegitimate son of an airline tycoon...?
That didn't fit the way he acted at all.
He didn't seem like someone who cared about money, or power, or reputation.
And yet...
Selene frowned.
In Love Illusion, she never remembered a character like him at least, not in the first 24 chapters she read.
Which meant...
He wasn't supposed to exist there yet or maybe that kid appeared later on.
The realization sent a chill down her spine, but she masked it with a calm expression, sipping her water as if nothing happened.
Jaxen caught her quiet stare and smirked.
"Thinking about your mysterious red-haired hero?"
"I'm thinking about why you're here uninvited again." Selene glared at him.
"Touché."
"Ah, youth. Always full of secrets and sparks." Her grandfather laughed once more, his voice echoing warmly.
"Grandpaaa..."
But her grandfather only laughed.
Raze Ryver...
Illegitimate son of an airline tycoon...
Heh~ Guess you're not just a street thug after all.