Devilish secretary
Chapter 397 Family dinner

Chapter 397: Chapter 397 Family dinner

Alexander had decided to bring Lilith to the old Carter family house for dinner.

Inside, the dining room was already warm with soft golden lights and the low murmur of conversation. His parents were there, seated near the head of the long table, with his grandfather beside them — the old man’s sharp eyes flicking toward Lilith the second she stepped through the doorway.

But it was Rose who made the moment feel alive. The instant she spotted Lilith standing beside Alexander, Rose’s eyes went wide like a child’s. She practically bounced out of her chair, her curls swaying as she ran over and threw her arms around Lilith’s shoulders without a hint of hesitation.

"Sister Lilith! You’re really here!" Rose squealed, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. The warmth in her hug chased away the heavy atmosphere like sunlight streaming through the windows.

Lilith let a small smile curve her lips as she hugged the girl back, her hand gently patting Rose’s soft hair. But before she could say anything, Rose stepped back, eyes sparkling.

"Look! Look at him!" Rose said eagerly, tugging at Lilith’s sleeve as she pointed down. There was Loki — only now he was noticeably... rounder. His once-sleek fur had puffed out around his belly, giving him an almost pompous air as he flicked his tail and tried not to meet Lilith’s gaze.

Lilith raised a perfectly arched brow, a flash of amusement lighting up her piercing eyes. She crossed her arms loosely and tilted her head, studying him like he was a rare creature on display.

"Oh," she drawled, her tone low but unmistakably teasing. "He’s better off with you, Rose. Looks like he’s been enjoying himself very much — otherwise, how would he have become so fat?"

Loki, feeling her amused stare, pointedly turned his head away, but not before his ears twitched in annoyance. His plump little belly practically jiggled as he shifted his paws, trying to look dignified even as his tail betrayed him, flicking like an irritated feather duster.

Damn! Where can I show my face like this? Loki thought miserably, his eyes narrowing. It’s all this pheasant human Rose’s fault! Spoiling me with those sweet treats and fresh fish every night — hmph! No self-control at all!

Meanwhile, Rose only giggled at his grumpy act. "He’s been eating so well! Isn’t he the cutest?" She turned to Alexander with a proud grin. "He even sleeps with me sometimes when I feel lonely! He’s just like a tiny heater!"

Loki shot Rose a look that clearly said Traitor. Lilith chuckled and leaned down just enough to tap Loki’s soft head with her fingertip.

"Keep your pride, my little prince," she murmured so only the two of them could hear, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Or you’ll become round enough to roll back to hell on your own."

**

Dinner was very cold. No one spoke except Alexander, who kept adding food to Lilith’s and Rose’s plates.

When dinner ended, the coldness in the air didn’t leave with the plates. Rose shifted uncomfortably in her chair, her eyes flicking nervously between the stiff faces at the table. The clink of cutlery was long gone, replaced by an eerie hush that only grew louder when they all moved to the living room.

Everyone sat down but no one spoke at first. The big chandelier overhead flickered slightly, its light casting long shadows on the floor. Alexander sat beside Lilith on the long sofa, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, the coldness in his expression impossible to miss. He was close enough that Lilith could feel the faint warmth of him through her sleeve, but his face gave nothing away.

Rose sat across from them, trying to look small. She pressed her lips together, hands folded tight in her lap. She knew about Lilith’s project — everyone at school did. People whispered about it in the halls, teachers were curious, students talked about when it would launch to the public. Rose couldn’t help but feel proud of Lilith.

Alexander’s father, Alan, cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, voice low but firm. "So...?" he said, looking directly at his son. "You said you have something important to say. What is it?"

Alexander didn’t glance at his father right away. Instead, his cold eyes swept across the room, pausing for just a moment on his mother, who sat stiffly beside Alan. She didn’t meet his gaze — she kept her eyes down, tracing the embroidery on the edge of her sleeve with her finger, like she wanted to disappear into it.

His grandfather sat a little further back in his chair, face unreadable, lips pressed in a thin line, but his eyes were sharp, listening to every word.

Alexander let a small half-smile tug at the corner of his lips, though it never reached his eyes. He leaned back slightly, his arm brushing against Lilith’s shoulder, as if grounding her beside him. "Lili has proven herself," he said smoothly, his voice like ice wrapped in velvet. He turned his head, locking eyes with his mother for a breathless second, almost daring her to look back but she didn’t.

He tilted his head a fraction, that same cold smile still on his lips. "What did you think this was about?" he asked, his tone dripping with a calm that made the tension snap even tighter. "Why do you think I called everyone here tonight?"

Rose’s eyes sparkled with quiet excitement, she already knew, deep down. She couldn’t stop her lips from curving into a small smile.

And then she saw the pretty ring on Lilith’s finger. It made her smile even wider, though she quickly tried to hide it when she noticed everyone else’s cold expressions.

Alexander’s words fell into the heavy silence like a stone dropped into still water.

"I want to marry Lilith," he said, his voice steady, not asking permission, simply stating what would be.

Across from him, Alan leaned back ever so slightly in his seat, eyes narrowing with that sharp glint he always carried as the head of the Carter family. But he didn’t look surprised. Not in the slightest. A corner of his mouth curved in a faint, approving smile, almost as if he’d expected nothing less from his son.