Gerhard''s face lit up as he led her to one of Winchester''s most famous bistros. The ce was elegant and warm, wrapped in soft lighting and low, murmuring
conversations.
They had barely taken their seats when the dishes began arriving, one after another, perfectly arranged.
Gerhard signaled the waiter. "A bottle of your finest red wine."
Then he turned to Renata with a polished smile. “It''s such a happy day. You''ve been discharged. We should drink to celebrate."
Renata raised her hand immediately. "I''ll pass."
“No can do!” Gerhard blurted out, his voice sharp and impatient.
His disappointment was instant. His n was obvious-get her drunk, loosen her guard, find an opening. But Renata shut him down without hesitation.
"I''m really sorry, Gerhard," she said calmly. "I''m still not feeling well, so I can''t drink."
Gerhard didn''t realize how transparent he was. But Renata did.
Heughed awkwardly. "Renata, it''s a celebration."
"And I''m recovering," she replied. "Unless the wine cures organs now."
"It helps people rx."
"I''m rxed," she said calmly. "You''re the one sweating."
Gerhard swallowed his frustration and forced a smile. “That''s fine. Then let''s just have something light."
Renata nodded. "Thank you for being considerate.”
At the table beside them, a well-dressed young man sat quietly, pretending to mind
his own business. In truth, his eyes kept drifting toward Renata. From the moment she walked into the restaurant, her presence had caught his attention—and it hadn''t
let go.
The woman is unreal, the young man thought the moment his eyesnded on Renata. She looks like a fairy who slipped out of a storybook and walked straight into this ce.
He watched them for a while. The dynamic was obvious. No intimacy. No warmth. No bond. They weren''t a couple.
That was his opening.
He took a breath, straightened his jacket, and walked over to their table.
“Hi,” he said smoothly, eyes locked on Renata. “I couldn''t help myself. I fell for you the moment you walked in. May I have your contact?"
Renata felt a familiar wave of boredom wash over her. It didn''t matter where she went-restaurants, streets, banquets. There was always a man like this. Always someone who thought a bold line was enough.
Gerhard, however, nearly snapped.
Where the hell did this idiote from? he thought furiously. Can''t he see I''m working here? How dare he cut in-this bastard.
Before Renata could even respond, Gerhard mmed his voice into the conversation.
“Who the hell are you?” he said coldly. “And what do you think you''re doing, bothering us at our table?"
The young man didn''t flinch. He smiledzily. "I''m talking to this beautifuldy. Stay out of it."
Then he turned back to Renata, ignoring Gerhardpletely.
"Miss, I''ve noticed you for a while," he said. "I didn''t want to interrupt your dinner, but honestly, I couldn''t stand watching this any longer." His eyes flicked briefly to Gerhard, full of contempt.
“You look bored out of your mind sitting with this asshole. How about I keep youpany instead? I promise it''ll be a lot more fun than wasting time with this jerk.”
Gerhard''s blood boiled.
His fists clenched under the table.
Where the fuck did this doge from? he raged. How dare he try to steal my woman right in front of me?
Gerhard shot the man a vicious re and growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"I''m warning you get the hell away while I''m still being polite. If you dare talk again,
or even look in our direction, I''ll gouge your eyes out."
The young man frowned, clearly unimpressed. He turned to Renata instead.
"Is he your boyfriend?"
Renata shook her head, calm and direct.
The young man looked back at Gerhard, a sharp edge in his voice now.
"Then what''s your problem with me confessing to her?"
Gerhard let out a crooked, arrogant grin.
“I don''t like you staring at her. I don''t like you talking to her either. Keep your filthy eyes off her."
The young manughed. "Rx. If she wanted you, I wouldn''t be standing here." Gerhard mmed his hand lightly on the table. "Watch your mouth.”
Renata sighed. “Please don''t fight.”
Both men turned to her.
She continued, "If you''re going topete, at least make it interesting. Right now, you''re both exhausting."
The young man raised his hands. “Fair enough."
Gerhard''s face darkened. "You''re enjoying this."
Renata shrugged. "It''s the most stimtion I''ve had all evening."
What she didn''t say was how pathetic it fell-being fought over by two men she didn''t want. The man she once believed was her boyfriend. turned out to be nothing but a Scam And the one she truly wanted-Alex-was ignoring herpletely.
That thought cut deeper than any insult.
Tonight wasn''t ttering. It wasn''t exciting.
It was humiliating.
And in that moment, Renata knew this was the worst day of her life.
"Get lost. Now," Gerhard shouted at the young man.
The young man sneered back. “Why are you so damn arrogant? You really think
you''re something special?"
Gerhard puffed up instantly.
“Kid, I''m from the Wolfsbane family. Do yourself a favor and get lost while I''m still
talking nicely—unless you want trouble.”
The young man''s eyes hardened.
"Oh, the Wolfsbane family," he said coldly. "A baron, huh?" He leaned forward "My father is Baron Ferdinand. Now I''m the one telling. you to move. If you don''t, I''ll make sure you don''t walk out of this restaurant tonight."
Gerhard clenched his teeth, rage pounding in his head.
He was bing a joke. A punching bag for anyone who walked in.
He had already humiliated himself the first time he invited Renata out. If he lost face
again—right here, right now-he knew it was over. Completely over.
His hand shot out.
He grabbed the wine bottle from the table and roared,
"You asked for this!"
Before anyone could react, he swung.
The bottle smashed into the young man''s head with a deafening crack.
Blood exploded from the impact,
pouring down his face and sttering across the floor as his body staggered backward, the Sound of chaos ripping through the restaurant.