Chapter 360
chapter360
Inside the private suite, the two of them had heard the commotion outside, but Claudette had chosen to maintain her composure, treating the noise as a mere background distraction.
At that moment, Emmanuel’s phone buzzed. The caller ID showed Eve, a contact he had only recently re-established. He knew Eve’s disciplined nature; she was not one to reach out unless the matter was of significant importance. Even as the atmosphere in the room grew tense with the arrival of uninvited guests, he answered the call.
“Hello, Emmanuel?”
“I’m here. Go ahead.”
Recognizing his voice, Eve bypassed all pleasantries. “Our old adversary has surfaced. He’s been spotted right here in Yeringham.”
Emmanuel’s hand tightened on the phone. “The informant from three years ago?” Memories of the betrayal that had compromised the Wolf Warrior Unit flooded back. The individual responsible had been an undercover agent who vanished shortly after the incident, leaving a trail of intelligence failures behind him. Despite the efforts of the Northern Region command, he had remained a ghost—until now.
“I’ve kept his profile active in our monitoring systems,” Eve said, her voice confident. “The moment he entered city limits, my sources alerted me. What we’ve been searching for has finally appeared.”
“Do you have a location?” Emmanuel asked, his tone dropping to a low, dangerous whisper.
“He was last seen at Serenity Resort.”
Emmanuel was stunned. The same resort where I am now? Is this a mere coincidence, or is there a larger play in motion?
Before he could process the information, Jonathan stepped toward their table, tapping the polished surface with a self-assured smile. “Sir, I’ll be brief. This room is needed for our private gathering tonight. If you agree to move to another area, I’ll ensure your evening is fully compensated as a token of my appreciation. Otherwise—” He let the sentence hang, the implication of his influence clear.
Emmanuel lowered his phone and glanced at Jonathan, his expression unreadable and silent.
Seeing no immediate compliance, Jonathan’s smile turned thin and sharp. “It would be a shame to make this difficult for everyone involved. Why insist on a situation that will only lead to mutual embarrassment?”
Emmanuel merely looked down at his plate. Just as Jonathan assumed the man was about to give in, Emmanuel picked up his cutlery and continued his meal with calm precision. After a small bite, he looked at Claudette. “I was under the impression this was a private birthday dinner.”
Claudette nodded, her gaze never shifting toward Jonathan. “It was. Unfortunately, some people believe their presence is always welcome, regardless of the invitation list. I apologize for the intrusion.”
Emmanuel let out a short, dry laugh. “It seems your company attracts quite a bit of attention, Ms. Lenoir. Whenever we’re out, there’s always some form of ‘excitement.’ Whether it’s a technical ‘accident’ at a game or an unexpected challenge during a trip, there’s always someone eager to interrupt. It’s a stark contrast to the quiet, polite atmosphere of the local places I usually frequent.”
At the mention of being a distraction, Jonathan’s brow furrowed. The subtle implication that he was little more than a noisy nuisance wasn't lost on him.
Claudette sighed, finally acknowledging the tension in the room but still refusing to give Jonathan her full attention. “Emmanuel, some people have yet to learn the value of social boundaries. It’s difficult to predict when someone will choose to ignore basic courtesy.”
Emmanuel nodded and raised his glass. “Well, I won't let it ruin the evening. It’s your birthday, and the focus should remain on that.”
“To a pleasant evening,” Claudette replied, her voice soft but firm.
The two of them clinked glasses, their quiet elegance forming an invisible barrier that completely marginalized Jonathan, leaving him standing there as a frustrated spectator to a conversation he could no longer control.