<h4>Chapter 88: Chapter 88 She Bailed On That Mission</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    The moment I heard Remy mention ate-night snack, my internal rm bells started ringing.


    I caught the silent signals he exchanged with one of hispanions, and my suspicions immediately grew.


    There was no way I was letting Alpha Sebastian get involved in whatever scheme they had in mind.


    I walked over to him with measured, deliberate steps—trying my best to appear calm and collected even though tension was coiling in my chest.


    When I reached his side, I said loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, "Alpha Sebastian, your nutritionist strictly advises any eating after 9:30. I think we should skip thiste supper."


    His deep eyes softened as they met mine.


    "Listen to you." he replied warmly, and I felt my heart flutter.


    Almost immediately, Remy’s face darkened. "You sure have a lot of authority over our Alpha Sebastian, Cecilia," he snapped.


    I shed him the professional smile I’d perfected over the years. "I wouldn’t dream of overstepping, Mr. Remy. But Luna Regina herself asked me to keep an eye on his diet. That nutritionist is insanely strict—daily records, no exceptions. I’m just doing my job, no matter how tough it gets."


    Remy’s sneer returned. "So you’re using Luna Regina to pressure me?"


    I kept my tone cool. "I wouldn’t dream of it."


    "If Luna Regina approves, then tonight’s meal should be fine, right?"


    He even pulled out his phone as if he were going to call her. "Maybe I should check with her directly?"


    I knew he was bluffing—he thought I was making excuses.


    Deep down, I wondered what kind of guy calls his motherte at night for permission to take his son out for drinks...


    Luna Regina would probably show up herself and tear him apart.


    That’s exactly why I mentioned his mother instead of his father. Alphas may worry about appearances and business, but when a Luna is protecting her child, she won’t hesitate to destroy anyone getting in her way.


    After a long, ufortable silence, Remy cleared his throat. "Alright, it’s just a midnight snack—no big deal. No need to wake Luna Regina. How about we just sit for a bit? Don’t deny an old friend even a small courtesy."


    Alpha Sebastian then turned his gaze to me, eyes dancing with amusement. "Would that work for you?"


    His tone, his choice of words, his expression...


    He wasying it on way too thick!


    [Too much! You’re going too far!]I wanted to scream.


    [We’ll never clear our names if you keep talking like that!]


    Remy looked ready to explode with frustration.


    "Fine," he growled, barely containing his anger. "Let’s just sit without eating. I’vepromised enough, Cecilia. Keep pushing, and I swear I’ll lose my temper."


    At that point, the tension had escted so much that I decided not to press further on Alpha Sebastian’s behalf.


    After all, the resort was a joint investment between theirpanies.


    I nced at Alpha Sebastian, silently asking for guidance.


    "Uncle Remy looks ready to cry," he said cheerfully, as if trying to diffuse the situation. "Let’s humor him and just sit for a while."


    I just nodded reluctantly. "As you wish."


    Stepping back, I couldn’t help but notice how unusually cheerful Alpha Sebastian was.


    Was he really not worried about Remy’s secret scheme?


    That wasn’t like him; he was never careless.


    After all the back-and-forth, we agreed to head over—even if we weren’t eating.


    Later...


    The restaurant buzzed with activity.


    People sat around a long tableden with various dishes, and the enticing aromas filled the air.


    Remy took the head seat while Alpha Sebastian sat in the position of honor to his right.


    I stayed nearby with Remy’s secretary at a discreet distance, keeping an eye on things.


    Remy even arranged for Mindy to sit beside Alpha Sebastian.


    I thought, [So he hasn’t given up yet.]


    Then my gaze shifted to the woman Remy had exchanged signals with earlier.


    She wasn’t one of the four socialites he had invited, nor was she Remy’s secretary.


    Instead, she was a woman with delicate features and a clearly enhanced, Instagram-worthy beauty—exactly the kind that dominates social feeds. She sat right next to Mindy.


    Soon everyone began eating.


    "Alpha Sebastian, a little porridge won’t hurt. It’s really healthy," the Instagram-model announced as she stood todle a bowl of porridge.


    Her long, manicured nails hovered over the rim, trembling slightly.


    Normally, that might have seemed like an innocent mishap—maybe she burned her fingers or something.


    But given Remy’s earlier signals, something about her gesture felt sinister. Was she sprinkling some kind of powder?


    Alpha Sebastian thanked her politely but didn’t touch the bowl.


    Despite Remy and the others praising the porridge as if it were divine, insisting it would be a shame not to try it, he remained unmoved—and everyone was baffled by his stubbornness. Eventually, Remy seemed to give in.


    Meanwhile, Mindy made several failed attempts to grab his attention during the meal.


    As things settled down, I felt a little relief.


    Then I noticed the Instagram-model standing and leaving the table. She passed by me, trailing a faint scent of cherry liqueur, and never returned for the rest of the gathering.


    When Alpha Sebastian finally rose to leave, Remy escorted him to the door, the rest of the group trailing behind like a pack of eager puppies.


    At the entrance, I nced outside and saw the Instagram-model again—this time stumbling along a small path near the vi, clutching what looked like a bottle of water, her steps unsteady.


    [So she bailed on her mission and decided to enjoy the night instead, huh?]


    I shifted my focus back to Alpha Sebastian as we returned to the vi.


    The moment we stepped in, I made a beeline for the kitchen, desperate for a drink.


    I’d been standing alert all evening without a single sip, and my throat felt like sandpaper.


    "I’m hungry," Alpha Sebastian called out casually. "Would you make me something to eat?"


    I froze mid-sip.


    [What happened to that strict diet excuse he always uses?]


    I set down my barely-touched water and opened the refrigerator.


    Unfortunately, there wasn’t much inside—just some fruit.


    I washed a few and arranged them on a te.


    Alpha Sebastian studied the fruit, his brow furrowing slightly. "Cecilia, you’re bing increasingly negligent in your duties."