Chapter 208:
âRather than making wild guesses, why donât we speculate about whether any other big shots might arrive tonight?â
âExactly!â
Lonnie was stunned by the unexpected presence of Callum and Willis.
He went up to Harlee and inquired, âHarlee, are you expecting any more friends tonight?â The presence of these dignitaries was slightly overwhelming for him.
Harlee shook her head.
Neither Callum nor Willis had previously informed her of their attendance at this banquet. Lonnie exhaled a sigh of relief.
He was at a loss for how to accommodate a few more big shots.
Yet, Lonnieâs relief was short-lived.
Another expected guest made an appearance. Matteo walked in, clad in a sleek black suit.
His eyes, sharp as obsidian, were deep and mysterious, radiating a sense of danger.
He offered a cool smile, sending a chill through the crowd.
âMiss Sanderson,â he said, his voice deep and inadvertently chilling, his gaze intense and full of menace.
Harlee paused for a moment, exchanging looks with Tonya before standing up and moving swiftly through the assembled crowd in the garden to meet Matteo. The onlookers tracked Harleeâs movements with a mixture of astonishment, curiosity, and whispered theories.
Your new favorite is gαâηÏνððsâ¤cÖ m
They wondered who Matteo was, especially considering Harlee had walked over to greet him, while she hadnât bothered to be so warm with Callum and Willis.
Shortly thereafter, everyone saw Harlee greet Matteo with a charming smile.
âItâs been a while, Mr. Walker.â
With a subtle smile, Matteo replied, âYouâve been searching for me, havenât you? Why act so surprised to see me now?â His tone was deep and thick with warning.
Previously, Harlee had been actively looking for Matteo, hoping to negotiate with him while keeping her connection to the Sanderson family hidden, fearing he would use that against her.
Now that Matteo had shown up at the recognition banquet the Sanderson family held for her, it meant he knew she was a Sanderson, and her priority shifted to confronting him.
She had never entertained the idea of losing in her dealings with him.
Harleeâs eyelids rose slowly, her face displaying a hint of indifference as a fleeting coldness flickered in her gaze. While she couldnât outmaneuver him in Uwhor, his power held no sway over her in Baythorn.
Her voice took on a cold tone.
âYour timing couldnât be worse.â
Matteo was visibly taken aback by her blunt dismissal. It was unusual for him to encounter a woman who dared to disregard him, and he found it fascinating. No wonder she was the Quick Cameo he admired.
Matteo examined Harlee with keen interest and let a meaningful smile cross his face.
.
.
.