Husband With Benefits
Chapter 96: Rejection

Chapter 96: Rejection

While the guests waited with bated breath to check the reaction of the two VIPs of the evening, Demetri gracefully guided her in front of Grandfather to wish him. A sense of unease hung heavy in the air, like an impending storm on the horizon. Gabe had stopped Arabelle from charging forward, but Elijah Frost was not someone who could be stopped.

The old man regarded the couple with a gaze that bore no overt hostility yet dripped with unspoken disapproval. His nod of acknowledgement to Demetri was measured, and yet his aged features betrayed no hint of his true sentiments while his eyes passed over Nora as if she did not exist. The room remained silent, but the tension was palpable, like a taut thread ready to snap.

Elijah Frost looked at the young girl and then at his stubborn grandson who refused to listen. He’d warned the girl against coming here and yet she thought that she could challenge him. With a deliberate turn of his head, he denied her the honour of being able to offer her birthday wishes. His eyes were now hard, and unyielding, his silence echoing through the room. He would have let go of the girl if she had been humble and accepted her mistake.

He would have considered her rude words a youthful mistake. But the girl thought that she could get away with things. What she did not know was her pride was based on nothing. She was gravely mistaken if she believed that Demetri loved her or that she could control Demetri with her viles. Others might think that Demetri had fallen in lust but he knew his grandson very well. Demetri was trying to merge the past and the present and he would never let this happen. Soon, he would show the girl that she was too young to play these dangerous games with him

The slight snub administered by Elijah Frost did not escape the notice of the onlookers. Their murmured whispers and exchanged glances only added to the tension that suffused the room. Demetri, however, was acutely aware of his grandfather’s disdain. In a voice that carried the weight of his resolution, he spoke casually, "It seems, Grandfather, that you do not welcome our presence at this celebration. If that is the case, we can depart."

The old man and the young man stared at each other, both unwilling to give in. Demetri’s audacious statement hung in the air, like an unspoken challenge that reverberated throughout. He was challenging not just his grandfather but also sending out a warning against anyone who dared to think that they could speak against his wife.

Just then, Nora placed her hand in Demetri’s, distracting him from the standoff and turning back the attention of both the men towards her," You are thinking too much. Grandfather was merely distracted and failed to notice that I was about to wish him. I wish you a long and blessed life on your birthday, grandfather." Her smile as bright as the sun, made everyone do a double take. The girl must either be really cunning or really innocent to suggest that Elijah Frost had momentarily been distracted and thus not received her wishes.

However, at this moment, Elijah Frost already understood that Demetri would indeed leave if he did not accept her. And so, the old man simply inclined his head as he answered," Thank you."

***

On the other side, Arabelle had already composed herself as she icily ordered Gabe," Let go of my arm. I am not going to create a scene like the uncultured girl there."

Gabe grimaced at what had just happened and pointed out," I don’t think Nora created the scene just now. It was Demon."

Arabelle harrumphed and walked gracefully towards Elijah Frost. As she neared him, she called out to him in a coy voice," Great uncle Elijah." She extended her hand to the old man in a gesture of respect and humility, as she warmly thanked him," Thank you for arranging this celebration for me. With you, I never feel as if my family is not with me."

Elijah Frost, ever the paragon of dignity, accepted her hand with graciousness and affectionately patted it. His response was filled with warmth and joy as he replied, "It is always a pleasure to be able to do something for you, Arabelle. How could I miss this chance to celebrate our day together?"

The stark contrast between Arabelle’s approach and the previous confrontation was palpable, and it couldn’t be lost on anyone present. Arabelle, through her demeanor, had demonstrated the chasm that separated her from the young woman who dared to stand by his side. But as she turned her head to show her disdain for the woman, she was disappointed to see that Demetri and Nora had already moved on and were now chatting to the other guests.

As they moved between guests, Nora turned her head and smiled up at Demetri as she said," My dear husband, if people could kill with gazes, I would have been dead about a hundred times now. I thought I only had to contend with your grandfather and ex-fiance but then why is every woman looking at me as if they would like me to drop dead right at this moment?"

Ian who had just approached the couple widened his eyes as he heard his sister-in-law speaking casually to his brother but Demon’s reply shocked him even more as the man sent her a serious look and suggested," Your imagination is running wild." Pause. "At most they want you to trip on the train of your dress and make a mess of yourself."

Nora giggled at that and shushed him," Shh! Don’t give them ideas. I’ll tell you what, I’ll play dangerously. I am going to the restroom. Let’s see if someone decides to help me with paying for the dress. If someone can compensate you for the dress, it will save you some money."

"What a thoughtful wife."

Ian’s world view was changed after this as he watched his sister in law walk away...

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