<h4>Chapter 80: Chapter 80 It’s Good For Brain Function</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    I stood up quickly and reached for the drink with a smile. "Alpha Sebastian has a cold and can’t drink. I’ll take it for him."


    As I raised the ss to my lips, a hand intercepted it. "That won’t be necessary. Sit down," Alpha Sebastian said.


    His tone was casual, but there was something protective in it that made my heart skip.


    Alpha Sebastian ced the ss back on the table, and the private dining room wentpletely silent.


    Xavier’s grip on his own ss tightened dangerously.


    I caught the subtle flex of his knuckles, the way his jaw clenched. He looked ready to shatter the crystal in his hand.


    Around the table, reactions varied. Some exchanged knowing nces, others frowned slightly, while a few pretended not to notice the sudden tension.


    I lowered myself back into my chair, slightly dazed by Alpha Sebastian’s intervention.


    I wasn’t sure what game he was ying, but I instinctively knew to follow his lead. Whatever his intentions were, I’d support them.


    "Alpha Sebastian seems quite protective of his staff," Vice President Wiley remarked with a pointed smirk.


    Alpha Sebastian met Wiley’s eyes with cool indifference, then smiled slightly. "You understand me well, Wiley. Since you’re so perceptive, why don’t you drink in my ce?"


    He followed this with a few subtle coughs, reinforcing his excuse.


    Wiley’s face flushed with irritation.


    The older wolf had no choice but to ept the drink - refusing would be disrespectful to his own Alpha.


    Remyughed loudly, easing the tension. "A cold is certainly reason enough to avoid alcohol."


    He signaled his secretary to step back from attempting to refill Alpha Sebastian’s ss.


    Alpha Sebastian’s behavior was making a clear statement: he wouldn’t be manipted by anyone here today.


    "Remy, you should have informed me you were bringing guests," Alpha Sebastian said with a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes.


    Despite the smile, there was frost in his gaze.


    His meaning was clear - this ambush meeting was uneptable.


    Remy maintained his cheerful demeanor. "I meant to tell you, but worried you might decline. Alpha Gavin has been concerned about the project funding. The man’s lost weight from worry!"


    With this opening, Alpha Gavin quickly seized his opportunity.


    "Alpha Sebastian, regarding the project loan, please reconsider. I understand certain events may have caused your hesitation, but I assure you they won’t affect the project’s progress. Alpha Xavier and I will ensure everything runs smoothly."


    Throughout Alpha Gavin’s plea, Xavier remained silent with a cold expression.


    Alpha Sebastian listened patiently, his expression neither warm nor cold.


    After taking a sip of tea, he looked up casually and asked, "Alpha Xavier has nothing to say?"


    His beautiful eyes fixed on Xavier’s face.


    An invisible pressure seemed to fill the room.


    Xavier stared back at Alpha Sebastian.


    The tension between them transformed the earlier chill into something explosive, like sparks flying between them.


    Everyone at the table grew tense.


    Alpha Gavin was particrly nervous.


    He put a hand on Xavier’s shoulder, squeezing slightly. "Xavier, calm down and speak properly. Remember the project."


    Xavier finally broke his staring contest with Alpha Sebastian and turned to look at me instead.


    There was something almost hurt in his eyes—like an usation.


    He looked at me like I’dmitted high treason.


    The intensity in his eyes was almostughable—like I owed him something.


    Newssh: I don’t.


    I gave him a look I usually reserve for people who try to cut in line at Starbucks.


    The silence stretched. I didn’t blink.


    Finally, Xavier turned back to Alpha Sebastian.


    "What Alpha Gavin said... is my position as well."


    His expression remained cold, but his slightly strained voice revealed his true feelings.


    Alpha Sebastian’s eyes gleamed with mockery.


    "What exactly did Alpha Gavin say? Sorry, my memory fails me. Would you mind repeating it, Alpha Xavier?"


    Xavier’s face darkened. He stood abruptly, ready to leave.


    Alpha Gavin quickly grabbed his arm, silently urging him to calm down.


    Wiley stepped in diplomatically.


    "Alpha, our evaluation shows the project is solid. The Chairman believes that if you’re willing to reconsider, he has no objections. Alpha Gavin and Alpha Xavier came with sincere intentions today. Perhaps you could give them another chance?"


    "Sincere?" Alpha Sebastian questioned, looking at Xavier who was being restrained by Alpha Gavin. He shook his head. "I don’t see it."


    Xavier’s forehead vein visibly pulsed with anger.


    Seeing a confrontation brewing, Alpha Gavin hurriedly escorted Xavier out of the private room.


    Author’s pov


    Inside the dining room, Remy understood Alpha Sebastian’s game.


    He was deliberately provoking Alpha Xavier, likely because of Cecilia.


    Remy found this amusing.


    Cecilia was beautiful, but beautiful women weren’t rare.


    If Alpha Sebastian had a weakness for women, that could be useful information.


    "Alpha Xavier needs to learn some manners," Remy said with mock disapproval before giving his secretary a subtle signal.


    "Alpha Sebastian’s soup bowl is empty. Refill it."


    The secretary understood instantly.


    As she stood, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers lingering just a second too long.


    Her steps were slow, hips swaying ever so slightly as she made her way toward him, holding thedle like it was an invitation.


    She leaned in with a sweet smile. "Let me get you more, Alpha."


    But Alpha Sebastian raised one hand, palm calm yet firm.


    "That’s not necessary," he said coolly. "We’re here to eat, not to perform."


    Remy’s face fell slightly.


    His attempt at offering femalepanionship had clearly failed.


    "You’re right. Let’s enjoy the food," he said, reaching for his chopsticks.


    Everyone at the table began eating.


    Cecilia took a few bites, secretly amused.


    Had Remy just tried to "bribe" Alpha Sebastian with his secretary?


    How outdated and disgusting.


    What Remy didn’t know was that her boss had virtually no interest in women.


    If he’d offered some attractive young men instead, he might have had better luck.


    The mental image of Alpha Sebastian selecting malepanions made her smile involuntarily.


    "What’s so amusing, Cecilia?" came Alpha Sebastian’s deep, measured voice from beside her.


    His tone held a hint of reproach, like a teacher catching a student passing notes.


    Cecilia quicklyposed herself. "Nothing at all."


    Alpha Sebastian sighed and ced a piece of fatty meat on her te.


    "Eat more protein. It’s good for brain function."


    Cecilia froze. Could he somehow tell what she’d been thinking?


    While she was staring at Alpha Sebastian with slight rm, Alpha Xavier and Alpha Gavin returned.


    Alpha Gavin had apparently convinced Alpha Xavier to be reasonable, but as soon as they entered, Alpha Xavier saw Cecilia gazing intently at Alpha Sebastian.


    The sight immediately triggered his jealousy.


    He rushed between them, physically blocking their line of sight.


    Alpha Xavier stared at Cecilia with such intensity that she tensed, ready to flee if necessary.


    She’d already mapped her escape route to the door.


    But instead of confronting her, Alpha Xavier suddenly turned to face Alpha Sebastian.


    Everyone in the room held their breath, anticipating an explosion.


    Alpha Sebastian leaned back casually in his chair, the picture of elegantposure. "Is something wrong, Alpha Xavier?"