Nathaniel leaned close, his voice low and teasing. "You were so sweet this morning, calling me hubby."
"..."
Celia's cheeks flushed crimson. She had only said it earlier because she'd been left with no choice.
"Why aren't you calling me that now?" Nathaniel draped an arm around her shoulders, lowering his head to whisper, "That tattooed guy is staring at us. Hurry up and say it again."
Celia wanted to bury herself in a hole. Her face burned as she reluctantly murmured, "Hubby~"
Nathaniel's sharp brows lifted in satisfaction. "Feed me."
She stiffened. Every man at the table was watching them with curiosity, and no one wanted to provoke trouble since they were heading home the next morning. With no other option, Celia picked up a cherry, pinched off the stem, and held it to his lips.
"Here," she whispered.
Nathaniel opened his mouth and bit down.
"Sweet?" Celia asked cautiously.
He frowned. "There's a pit."
Before she could react, Nathaniel leaned forward and spat the pit gently into her palm. The warmth lingering on it made her fingers twitch, and she didn't even know why she'd instinctively reached out to catch it.
It reminded her of Ye Cheng's private lounge, where she had once seen women peel fruit and feed him with the same kind of attentiveness.
Looking at her soft, obedient expression, Nathaniel's eyes darkened slightly, a rare tenderness hidden between his brows. "Do you want some crab?"
Celia quickly shook her head. She knew it wasn't good for the baby, so she refused. "No."
"Then let's go." Nathaniel stood, holding her close as they left.
The tattooed man across the room, known as Brother Biao, kept his eyes locked on Celia. One of his lackeys smirked. "Brother Biao, you've been eyeing that girl all night. Want me to drag her over so you can keep her company?"
Brother Biao paused, gaze flicking to Nathaniel's distinguished presence. A trace of unease crossed his face. "Forget it. That man isn't someone ordinary. Taking his wife won't be easy."
Hand in hand, Nathaniel and Celia played their roles as a loving couple, fooling everyone around them.
"Let's go," Brother Biao muttered, disappointed. He led his men out of the hotel.
Not long after, a graceful woman stepped into the lobby of the Wangu Hotel. She spoke to the receptionist in fluent English, "Hello, could you tell me which table Mr. Nathaniel Fu has reserved?"
It was Yara Lu.
She had flown in from the capital just to see Nathaniel.
The receptionist gave her a polite smile. "May I ask, miss, what is your relationship with Mr. Fu?"
Yara's lips curved with confidence. "Mr. Fu is my fiancé."
Brother Biao, who hadn't left the lobby yet, froze in his tracks. When his eyes landed on Yara, a sinister smile spread across his face.
After dinner, the group dispersed. The seven companions returned to their hotel, while Nathaniel and Celia lingered behind.
Nathaniel twirled the car keys around his finger. "The car's over there. Come on."
"Okay."
But before they could move, Brother Biao and his men blocked their path.
"Hey, pretty girl," one of them drawled. "We've been watching you all night. Why don't you come have a drink with us?"
Nathaniel's expression turned cold, his features hardening into a dangerous edge. He stepped in front of Celia, shielding her. His voice was like steel. "If you want to offer her a drink, you'll need my permission first—because she's my wife."
Normally, Brother Biao's men would never have dared to test him. But tonight, emboldened, they pressed on.
Brother Biao chuckled darkly. "Your wife, huh? Then who do you think this is?"
At his signal, someone shoved Yara Lu forward.
Her once-elegant dress was torn, her hair messy, and her pale face showed both fear and humiliation. Having been raised as a pampered princess all her life, she had never faced such danger.
Her eyes locked desperately on Nathaniel, her voice trembling.
"Nancheng… save me!"
Nathaniel's pupils contracted sharply, a dangerous storm brewing in his gaze. His arm instinctively tightened around Celia's shoulders, pulling her close.
Celia's heart clenched. For the first time, she wasn't sure what unsettled her more—Yara's sudden appearance as his so-called fiancée… or the fact that she herself felt a pang of fear at losing her place by his side.