She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 606

"Then I'm coming with you tomorrow," Rowan stated.

"There's no need," Lyra shook her head gently, declining the offer. "If you show up, they'll just feel tense and awkward. It's supposed to be a casual get-together with friends. Besides, you have important business meetings scheduled tomorrow. Don't go out of your way for this."

Rowan fell silent. His schedule was indeed too packed to get away. Instead, he repeatedly insisted that she take a security detail with her.

The next morning, before heading to the office, Rowan assigned four bodyguards to stay behind and watch over his wife.

As noon approached, Lyra left in the car.

Quentin, York, and the rest of the group arrived at eleven.

The venue was an exclusive, highly private restaurant right in the heart of the city.

The atmosphere in the private dining room was relaxed. Seeing Quentin, York, and the others made Lyra nostalgic for her days at Fairchild Holdings.

After taking her seat, Lyra picked up her glass of juice, using it in place of wine, and looked at her R&D Department colleagues apologetically. "The wedding was so rushed and chaotic, and my health was quite fragile at the time, so I didn't get to invite you. It's been weighing on me. I wanted to treat you all to dinner today to make up for it."

York waved it off. "Miss Fairchild, don't worry about that. Besides, you're pregnant! Your health has to come first. Why would we ever hold a grudge over missing a dinner party? Right, Quentin?"

Before Quentin could respond, the others chimed in in agreement.

"Miss Fairchild, if Mr. Jameson ever dares to mistreat you, you have to tell us."

"I will. Thank you all," Lyra said.

Quentin's gaze dropped to her slightly rounded stomach. He was unusually quiet today.

York was the one to break the silence. "Miss Fairchild, does this mean you won't be coming back to Fairchild Holdings anymore?"

Lyra laughed. "I'll still come visit you guys. Hurry and eat before the food gets cold."

She hadn't expected him at all, nor had she told him the name of the restaurant. He must have tracked down the driver who brought her from Blackwood Manor.

"Apologies for being late," Rowan said with a slight nod. He walked over to Quentin, York, and the others, who had all stood up to greet him, shaking their hands one by one. His demeanor was far more polite and accommodating than his usual ruthless, predatory presence in the boardroom.

After the handshakes, he moved naturally to sit beside Lyra. Draping his arm casually over the back of her chair, he subtly shielded her against his side. He leaned in and murmured softly, "Are you enjoying the food? Has sitting for so long made your back ache?"

Lyra shook her head slightly. "I'm not tired. I'm fine."

Rowan signaled for the waiter waiting outside and ordered an extra set of silverware, making it clear he intended to stay and dine with the group.

Everyone at the table was taken aback. None of them had ever expected the aloof, untouchable CEO who commanded a massive corporate empire to crash a lunch with a bunch of low-level employees. At first, the atmosphere grew stiff; their conversations and movements became cautious and overly formal.

Thankfully, Lyra was an expert at reading the room. She continuously brought up funny anecdotes from their time working together and kept the topics light and casual, slowly easing the tension until the atmosphere in the private room relaxed once again.