The dishes began to arrive, and Fiona, as the hostess, warmly encouraged everyone to eat. Elowen, meanwhile, busied herself serving food onto Finnian''s te several times.


    Finnian, however, didn''t touch a single bite. He simply moved the food Elowen gave him to a side te, leaving her flushed with embarrassment.


    The dinner conversation was dominated by Larry and Finnian, who naturally discussed business. But even though their words were mundane, Amara couldn''t shake the feeling that the atmosphere was strangely tense.


    She still couldn''t figure out why Larry had invited Finnian. It was just too odd.


    And why was Fiona supporting Elowen''s pursuit of him? It waspletely out of character for such a rational woman.


    An hourter, the meal wound down. Larry and Finnian were the first to leave the dining room, still deep in conversation.


    Not wanting to face the two toxic women alone, Amara went up to her room.


    It had been redecorated after the explosion, but Amara had few happy memories in this house and had never truly considered it home. After sitting for a short while, she came back out.


    She ran into Larry in the hallway and stopped. "Dad."


    He acknowledged her with a nod. The tall, imposing man stood before her, hands sped behind his back, his expression as stern as ever. Suddenly, he asked, "Have you considered getting back together with Finnian?"<fnf330> This update is avable on Find~Novel</fnf330>


    Amara was taken aback. She never expected him to ask such a thing. "Dad, why would you ask that?"


    Larry didn''t answer directly. He spoke slowly, his voice measured. "Before, your status, looks, and abilities didn''t match Finnian''s, so I never said anything. But now, you''re worthy of him. If you''re interested, you could try to reconcile."


    Larry was a pragmatist. He''d never


    dreamed oftching onto a family as powerful as the Everlys. But now


    s


    that Amara was beautiful and


    sessful enough to be a match for


    Finnian and since he''d heard


    whispers that Finnian still


    had


    feelings for her-he was willing to


    entertain the idea.


    Amara finally understood where the strange feeling had beening from all evening. Larry was trying to y matchmaker. A cold smile formed in her mind.


    To extinguish any hope he might have, she said bluntly, "There''s no chance of that happening. You don''t need to think about him and me ever again."


    "Not even the slightest possibility?"


    "None," Amara said firmly. "But this won''t affect your business with him. Finnian is very good at separating his personal and professional lives. He''ll handle it."


    Larry frowned. Though he didn''t understand her reasoning, her conviction was clear. And since Finnan hadnt seemed overly eager either the faint hope hed harbored was dashed. He said nothing more and turned to leave.


    Amara watched his retreating back, her face an impassive mask.


    As she rounded the corner of the hallway, she jumped. Finnian was leaning


    against the wall, watching her with a cold, unreadable expression.


    What was he doing here? How long had he been standing there?


    And more importantly, had he heard her entire conversation with Larry?


    A whirlwind of thoughts raced through her mind, but she kept herposure, giving him a cool nce before trying to walk past.


    But in the next second, his hand shot out and gripped her arm, forcing her to a halt. She turned to face him. "Is there something you need, Mr. Everly?"


    "Your father wants us to get back together?"