Chapter 102 You’re the Only One I Can Ask


    Abel’s eyes narrowed, shing sharp and wild like a leopard-cold and fierce.


    Who dared to do such a thing right under my nose?


    His knuckles cracked loudly as he clenched his fists.


    In Aetheris, who else could pull off something like this?


    Tess didn’t react to the strange tone in his voice. At this point, there wasn’t much she could do.


    She pressed her lips together, frustrated, and was about to hang up.


    “Tess…”


    Abel sounded like he wanted to say more, which made her pause just before ending the call.


    Huh?


    Suddenly, a sharp knock came at the door.


    Tess looked over, confused, and said softly into the phone, “Wait a second.”


    Abel heard it as well and held his breath.


    Tess is back at her husband’s ce, so the knock must be from him…


    His eyes turned razor-sharp.


    Then, surprisingly, he chuckled quietly.


    Why does it feel like I’m the third wheel, sneaking around with his wife?


    He held his breath and listened carefully.


    Meanwhile, Tess opened the door to find Finn standing there.


    His eyes immediately caught the lit-up phone in her hand. “Who are you talking to?”


    His voice was calm but carried a slight edge of suspicion that Tess could sense.


    Without thinking, she turned off the screen and set the phone down, looking up with a frown. “I already told you the second rule at dinner.”


    Finn’s lips parted slightly but then closed as he let out a soft hum.


    Only then did Tess rx a bit. “So, what do you need?”


    Finn looked away but mentally noted the name he caught on her screen. <fn891c> Updates are released by Find[?]ovel</fn891c>


    Her fingers mostly covered it, but he glimpsed one word.


    Shaw?


    A name popped into his head.


    No way. If he’s in Aetheris, I would know about it.


    He kept his face neutral and calmly fixed his cufflink. “There’s an auctioning up. I need a date.”


    “Then you should get in touch with Ms. Nadine,” Tess said without looking up, ying with La in her arms.


    Finn froze for a moment, his eyes dropping to Tess’s indifferent face. An unexpected tightness hit his chest.


    She used to hate it when I mentioned other women. Now this?


    That pressure in his chest felt heavier, like a weight suffocating him.


    “Tess, remember your ce. You’re my wife. Nadine’s just an employee.”


    There was more bite in his voice this time, but when he looked up, he met Tess’s mocking stare.


    She gave a cold, sarcastic smile and shook her head. “The divorce papers were drafted ages ago. I’m close to being your ex.


    “And another thing,” she added, “many would kill to be your date. I’m not about to dive into that mess. Since you can take Nadine home for the family event, you should also bring her to the auction. You’ll be helping each other out.”


    Her voice was light and distant. By the end, she didn’t even look at him.


    Finn’s eyes flickered. Suddenly, he asked, “Are you throwing a tantrum?”


    That word made Tess straighten up. Then she gave him a strange look. “Mr. Lock, watch your words. use me again, and I’ll sue you for nder.”


    Finn was caught off guard. His face went pale, but he got the message-Tess wasn’t going to be his date.


    “Get some rest,” he said coldly, then shut the door.


    The door closed sharply with a thud.


    Only then did Tess realize-she’d never ended the call with Abel. That meant Abel had probably heard everything between her and Finn.


    “Sorry about that.”


    Her voice was calm, almost indifferent.


    She didn’t bother hiding it. They were done, so there was no need to cover the awkwardness anymore.


    “No worries,” Abel replied, shaking his head, though he looked thoughtful.


    He’d heard most of her conversation with Finn.


    The more he listened, the more familiar the man’s voice sounded, like someone he’d heard before.


    But he couldn’t ce the name.


    Abel licked his lips, brushing off the weird feeling.


    I


    He cleared his throat and said seriously, “Actually, I was about to ask you the same thing.”


    Tess frowned a bit. The same thing?


    She bounced La gently in her arms. “The auction? Or the date?”


    “Both. I’m guessing it’s the same event your husband mentioned. I was also invited, and I need a date as well. But I’m not from


    Aetheris. I don’t know many people here. After thinking it over, you’re the only one I can ask.”