Chapter 103: Lunch with the King

The next morning, after finally catching up on some work in LUXT Corporation, Mindy left the office for her lunch appointment.

The destination was Virello Restaurant, one of Greendale’s most luxurious fine-dining establishments. Soft piano music echoed throughout the elegant hall.

Crystal chandeliers reflected warm golden light onto the polished marble floor.

As soon as Mindy stepped inside, her eyes searched the restaurant instinctively. It didn’t take long.

Near the floor-to-ceiling windows sat Matthias King. His familiar silver mask concealed the right side of his face.

Even from a distance, Matthias’s posture remained perfectly straight, calm, and almost regal. The moment he noticed Mindy, he rose from his seat.

A genuine smile softened his usually composed expression.

"Mindy."

The sight of him brought an unconscious smile to her lips.

"Matthias."

She walked over and took the seat opposite him.

"How have you been these past three days?"

"I’ve been well," he replied.

A few steps away, Samuel, Matthias’s assistant, stood quietly beside another table. The moment he saw his boss smile at Mindy, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"He’s smiling... He actually smiled..."

For the past three days, Zeus Vision had practically turned into a frozen battlefield. Managers, deputy directors, department heads—everyone had walked on eggshells.

Even the smallest mistake earned them one of Matthias King’s terrifying cold stares. People had started whispering that their CEO’s mood had somehow become even worse than usual. And now Miss Wilson appeared, and the iceberg smiled.

Samuel almost wanted to cry from happiness.

Matthias poured her a glass of water before asking, "How was your trip to Cracros?"

Mindy’s smile widened. "It was wonderful."

"I can tell. You seem..." He searched for the right word. "...lighter."

She looked down at the water before nodding. "I finally got it back."

"The Angel Tear?"

"Yes." She smiled softly. "My mother promised me that she’d place it on my head herself when I turned sixteen.

But she passed away before my birthday. My father gave it to Emily for safekeeping." She let out a small laugh.

"Like asking a cat to guard milk."

Matthias listened silently. He never interrupted her. Not once.

When she finished, he finally asked, "So... did anyone ever discover who the mysterious buyer was?"

Mindy immediately looked up. "How do you know about that?"

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "...Are you keeping an eye on me?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Matthias nodded. "Yes." Samuel nearly smacked his own forehead.

"Boss! You don’t answer that honestly! She’s going to think you’re a stalker!"

Matthias calmly continued, "But only for your safety. They won’t interfere with your life. They’ll only act if you’re in danger."

Mindy stared at him for several seconds. Matthias quietly wondered if he’d said something wrong.

Then she tilted her head. "How many?"

"...What?"

"People. How many are watching me?"

Matthias glanced toward Samuel. Samuel immediately understood. He made a quick phone call.

Less than a minute later, two women entered the restaurant. Both were dressed casually. Neither looked flashy.

But their upright posture and sharp eyes immediately gave away years of disciplined training. Mindy studied them carefully.

The two women suddenly looked strangely nervous under her gaze.

Matthias introduced them. "They both served in the military. They work for me now. They’re your protection. They’ll stay at a distance. They won’t interfere unless necessary." Mindy stood and walked directly toward them.

She stopped before them. "Names?"

Samuel blinked. "She’s... interviewing them?"

The taller woman answered first. "Amelia Spencer."

The second smiled politely. "Vivian Spencer."

"Sisters?"

They nodded.

Mindy asked "Why are you working for Matthias?"

Amelia answered honestly. "Our father served as Mrs. King’s bodyguard. He died protecting her. It was his wish that we continue protecting Mr. King."

Mindy nodded thoughtfully. "Were you at the Bose residence?"

"Yes."

"Did you notice anything unusual?" Amelia looked surprised.

"...Yes. The waiter. And..." She hesitated. "...Miss Hawthorne."

Mindy frowned. "Missy?"

Amelia nodded.

Vivian said "Miss Hawthorne had drugged Mr. Knight’s wine."

Mindy’s brows lifted. "Why didn’t you do something?"

"He didn’t seem to need anyone’s help," Amelia replied.

Mindy fell silent for a moment. Then her expression softened into a warm smile.

"Where are you staying?"

"At a hotel outside the city."

She immediately turned to Matthias. "They’re moving."

Samuel blinked. "...Moving?"

"They’ll stay with me. That way you don’t have to protect me from hiding. You can protect me openly. Is that alright?"

The two women exchanged surprised glances. No client had ever spoken to them like this.

Matthias answered almost instantly. "Alright."

Amelia hurriedly said, "We can rent somewhere ourselves."

"No." Mindy shook her head. "You’ll stay with me."

She smiled mischievously. "And I’m going to make both of you work very hard. Is that okay?"

For the first time, both bodyguards smiled. "Of course... Miss Wilson."

"Good. Pack your bags." The two women nodded before quietly leaving.

Samuel stared after them with his mouth hanging open. "What... just happened?"

Mindy returned to the table. "I’m starving."

Fortunately, Matthias had already ordered.

One dish after another arrived. Without hesitation, he moved each plate toward her first before serving himself.

Samuel watched silently. "Since when does Boss serve people?"

Mindy happily continued eating. Between bites she suddenly looked up.

"I heard you’ve been bullying your employees."

Samuel’s eyes instantly lit up. "Yes! Finally! Someone understands our suffering!"

Before he could speak, Matthias replied calmly, "I am an excellent employer."

Samuel coughed loudly. Matthias slowly turned toward him. Samuel immediately looked away.

"I didn’t say anything."

Mindy burst into laughter.

"Then why? Why were you bullying everyone?"

Matthias answered honestly, "I thought you were avoiding me after that day. I assumed you were upset about what happened."

Mindy nearly choked on her food.

"Cough—cough!"

Matthias immediately handed her a glass of water. "Slowly."

Samuel glanced between them, his eyes widening.

"Did... did Boss just pout?"

Mindy finally recovered and shot him a warning look.

Then she reached across the table and gently took Matthias’s hand.

"Matthias, I don’t want to start anything between us until my divorce is finalized."

She offered him a soft smile.

"And I wasn’t avoiding you. I simply didn’t have a chance to tell you I was leaving. That’s all."

Matthias nodded slowly.

"Good. Mindy, I’m not expecting anything from you. I know you need time, and I’m not trying to rush you."

He hesitated, his expression growing uncertain. "I just thought you regretted what happened between us."

Mindy’s cheeks flushed as the memory of their kiss resurfaced.

"I never said I was upset," she replied. "I just... don’t know what I’m supposed to feel or say about it yet."

"Okay," Matthias said. After a brief pause, he added, "But don’t disappear without telling me again."

Mindy’s fingers tightened gently around his hand.

"I won’t."

She smiled before taking out a beautifully wrapped gift box. "I brought you something."

Matthias looked surprised. "For me?"

She nodded.

He slowly opened the box. Inside rested an exquisite pair of cufflinks forged from eighteen-karat white gold.

Each featured a flawless emerald-cut diamond surrounded by brilliant pavé diamonds.

At the center, an elegant cursive letter M had been hand engraved. The craftsmanship was flawless.

Matthias stared silently. "You bought these... for me?"

Mindy smiled. "I saw them yesterday. They reminded me of you. So I had them engrave an M. M for Matthias."

He couldn’t remember the last time someone had bought him a gift simply because they thought of him.

His throat tightened slightly. "...Thank you. I love them."

A genuine smile spread across his face.

Samuel quietly looked away. "I’ve worked with him for six years... I’ve never seen him smile this much."

Mindy laughed. "I bought gifts for everyone. You. Wade. Layla. My grandparents. Wade got cufflinks too. His has a W."

Matthias simply kept listening to her. He realized he liked hearing her talk, even about ordinary things.

After lunch, he suddenly asked, "Let’s go on a vacation."

Mindy blinked. "...A vacation?"

"Yes."

She smiled. "Okay. But not just us. You. Me. Layla. Zac. Dante. And we’ll invite Wade."

Matthias thought for a second before nodding. "Alright. I’ll arrange it."

She smiled. "But..Next month. I still have too much work." "Okay."

There was one question he had wanted to ask all afternoon.

Matthias looked unusually nervous.

"...When are you planning to get divorced?"

"I want to," Mindy replied immediately. "But Layton refuses to agree."

She sighed, her expression growing distant.

"He used the Angel Tear as an excuse before. But things are different now. I’ve already made up my mind. I’m going to divorce him."

Matthias quietly released the breath he had been holding.

So Mindy wasn’t the one resisting the divorce. Layton was.

For some reason, that realization eased the tension in his chest.

He looked at her carefully.

"Do you want my help?"

Mindy smiled and shook her head.

"No. I know how to handle him."

Matthias nodded.

"I know you do." His expression turned serious. "But if you ever find yourself unable to deal with him, I’ll help you."

This time, Mindy didn’t refuse. She simply gave him a soft smile.

"I know."