The private dining room of the luxury restaurant was exactly what Eurydice expected—understated wealth, hushed conversations, and a staff that probably judged customers based on their net worth.
She sighed dramatically, looking around.
“Ah, yes,” she muttered, “another place where the cheapest thing on the menu is dignity.”
Conrad gave her a flat look. “Try not to embarrass yourself.”
Eurydice smirked. “Oh, don’t worry. I plan to embarrass you.”
Before Conrad could respond, the waitstaff led them to a private table.
And waiting for them, with his usual smug, arrogant air, was none other than Vincent Montague.
Eurydice immediately recognized him from the gala—the smooth, effortlessly charming businessman who had introduced himself with an aura of self-importance and mischief, as if the world was his chessboard.
Vincent leaned back in his chair, his signature smirk firmly in place.
“Well, well,” he mused, eyes flickering with amusement, “if it isn’t my dear cousin and his lovely fiancée.”
Eurydice blinked slowly, then turned to Conrad.
“Okay, can I leave?”
Vincent chuckled, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. “Now, now,” he said, grinning, “we barely just got started.”
Conrad, who had yet to say a word, simply pulled out a chair for Eurydice.
His movements were calm, precise, unreadable.
But Eurydice didn’t miss the subtle sharpness in his eyes.
The Games Begin
The moment Eurydice sat down, Vincent leaned forward slightly, studying her like she was an interesting puzzle.
“I have to admit,” he said smoothly, “when I heard my dear cousin was engaged, I was shocked.”
His smirk widened. “But then I met you at the gala, Eurydice, and suddenly… it all made sense.”
Eurydice blinked.
Then she turned to Conrad, raising an eyebrow.
“Are all your cousins this insufferable, or is it just this one?”
Conrad, still stone-faced, simply replied, “Just this one.”
Vincent placed a hand over his chest, mock-offended. “Ouch. No warm family welcome?”
Conrad gave him a blank stare. “Get to the point, Vincent.”
Vincent chuckled, sitting back.
“Fine, fine,” he said smoothly. “I was simply curious.”
His gaze shifted to Eurydice, and suddenly, there was something more calculating behind his easy smile.
“You don’t seem like the type to be caught up in our world,” he said casually. “So I have to wonder—what exactly did Conrad do to convince you to say yes?”
Eurydice tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Are you suggesting something, Mr. Montague?”
Vincent’s smirk widened. “Oh, nothing scandalous, of course.”
Then, he leaned in slightly.
“But I do find it fascinating how quickly this engagement happened.”
Eurydice matched his energy immediately, leaning forward with an overly sweet smile.
“Well,” she said lightly, “it’s a good thing my love life isn’t up for debate.”
Vincent chuckled. “Ah. But that’s the fun part, isn’t it?”
Before Eurydice could fire back—
Conrad, who had been silent up until now, finally set down his glass with a quiet but deliberate motion.
His voice was calm, but sharp.
“I wasn’t aware we needed your approval for our relationship,” he said smoothly.
Vincent’s smirk didn’t waver, but something shifted in his expression.
“Oh, come now, cousin,” he mused. “Surely you don’t mind a little curiosity?”
Conrad’s jaw tightened slightly.
“I mind when it’s you,” he said flatly.
Eurydice watched the exchange carefully.
There was something deeper going on here.
Something unspoken between them.
And judging by the way Conrad’s entire demeanor had changed—
She knew this wasn’t just about her.
 
Eurydice, sensing an opportunity, tilted her head at Vincent, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
“You know, for someone who seems so casually interested in our relationship,” she mused, “you’re really trying to find a crack in it.”
Vincent’s expression didn’t change, but she caught the way his fingers tapped lightly against the table, like he was thinking.
She smirked knowingly.
“What’s the real reason you wanted this lunch?” she asked.
Vincent, for the first time, hesitated.
Then, his signature smirk returned.
“Let’s just say,” he said smoothly, “I like to keep an eye on family matters.”
Eurydice, not buying it for a second, glanced at Conrad—
Who was watching Vincent carefully, expression impossible to read.
And suddenly—
She understood.
This isn’t about me at all.
This was about Conrad.
About the power plays in his family.
And about whatever game Vincent was trying to play.
She leaned back in her seat, arms crossed.
“Well, then,” she said, smirking. “I hope you got a good look at us.”
Vincent’s smirk widened. “Oh, I did.”
His gaze flickered to Conrad.
“This is going to be very interesting.”
And with that, the game officially began.