On the next day, Allison convinced her mother to invite Devin and Sam for dinner.
The Ainsley dining room was cathedral-like-high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, silver that cost more than Devin's entire house.
Alex sat at the head of the table, knife and fork in hand, watching them like an executioner.
Across from him sat Devin and Sam, both gripping their forks like lifelines.
"So, you're the boys who've been monopolizing my daughter's time," Alex said.
Sam almost choked. He tried to play it cool. "Hmm, Mr. Ainsley-"
But Alex cut him off. "Choose your next words carefully."
Lauren watched the interaction with barely concealed anxiety. She leaned forward, offering the boys more food. "Boys, don't be shy. Eat," she said softly, her voice a counterweight to her husband's ice.
Anna caught Sam's eye and smiled-a warning. She wouldn't speak. She wouldn't give Alex another target. But watching Sam lose his composure was almost worth the risk of laughing.
The silence became a living thing-thick, suffocating, a pressure that made breathing difficult. Sam's fork made a tiny, accidental clink against his plate, a sound that felt like a gunshot in the cavernous room.
Devin sat like a statue, his eyes fixed on a point just past Alex's shoulder, refusing to be the first to break.
Alex slowly set his knife and fork down, the silver ringing out against the gilded plate with a final, chilling note. He leaned back, his gaze sweeping over the boys with a look of profound disappointment.
"Good heavens," Alex said, his voice cutting like a blade. "By the looks on your faces, one would think someone had died."
He pushed his plate forward, the expensive cut of meat barely touched.
"I'm done eating. I've lost my appetite."
The air in the room seemed to turn to ice. Lauren's hand flew to her throat. Allison felt a wave of hot shame and anger rise in her chest, but she remained silent, trapped by the weight of her father's presence.
Alex stood up, not waiting for a response. He didn't look at them as he adjusted his blazer. "Enjoy the rest of the silence, boys. It seems to be the only thing you're truly skilled at."
With that, he turned and walked out of the cathedral-like room, leaving a trail of shattered nerves and half-eaten gourmet food behind him.
Devin and Sam took a deep breath of relief.
"I'm so sorry," Allison whispered as they filed out of the dining room. "I shouldn't have asked you guys to come."
Lauren appeared behind them, her expression tight with regret. "Boys, please forgive my husband. He's... protective."
Sam nodded politely, but the moment they stepped outside, away from the mansion's suffocating walls, he burst into laughter. Anna followed, her giggles uncontrollable.
"Did you see his face?" Sam gasped between laughs. "Choose your next words carefully. Who says that?"
Even Devin cracked a smile. Even Allison couldn't help but laugh-the sound breaking free like a bird escaping a cage.
>Hey Yeah! Thank you for reading. Next is the new season Campus Arc😎😫😀<