Taken By My Fiancé's Uncle - Chapter 95: Chapter 95

That familiar voice struck a different chord in each listener's heart.
Lorraine's tightly shut eyes trembled slightly, and a sudden gleam flashed through them. 'Eugene is here. Thank goodness,' she thought.
The pressure on Lorraine's knees eased slightly as Elsie abruptly let go of her shoulder. Elsie quickly checked her face and hair, smoothing them with practiced gestures, and then giggled coquettishly and greeted Eugene, "Eugene, what brings you here? Did you come just for me?"
Overjoyed, Elsie eagerly hurried to his side, reaching out to take his hand, only for him to sidestep with practiced ease.
Now free, Lorraine straightened up and shot a cold glance at her family as their faces changed instantly. She sneered inwardly, 'Seriously? Elsie really thinks Eugene came here for her? What a joke.'
Zackery's cold, ruthless expression shifted rapidly between pale and flushed as soon as he heard Eugene's voice. He quickly stood up and straightened his clothes.
Raquel, ever the opportunist, immediately let go of Lorraine, moved to Zackery's side, and helped him adjust his attire. Together, they smiled ingratiatingly at Eugene.
"Mr. Moore, please have a seat," Zackery said, his heart soaring with elation. Convinced that Eugene had graced them with his presence solely for Elsie's sake, he eagerly ushered Eugene over.
Eugene's handsome face remained expressionless, exuding a calm that gave nothing away. But deep in his eyes, a storm was brewing. 'Thank God I got here in time,' he thought. 'Otherwise, she would have suffered again.'
Silent and imposing, Eugene exuded an air of nobility and dominance. His commanding presence filled the room, making Zackery's groveling seem all the more pathetic and almost laughable by comparison.
Elsie clung to Eugene's side as if trying to merge with him, putting on that sickeningly sweet "lovestruck maiden" act. It made Lorraine's skin crawl.
Elsie's eyes sparkled flirtatiously, every arch of her brows a seductive invitation. Brimming with confidence, convinced Eugene had come just for her, she asked, "Eugene, have you eaten yet? Why not stay and have dinner with us?"
"Yes, Mr. Moore, please have a meal with us," Zackery said, his voice turning obsequious and cautious under Eugene's commanding presence. It was a stark contrast to the harsh tone he'd used with Lorraine moments before.
"OK." Eugene walked over with effortless grace, stopped beside Lorraine, and gave her a cool, sidelong glance.
His indifferent reply only made the Shaw family even more ecstatic, leaving them so flustered they nearly tripped over themselves.
"Quick, hurry up and get ready. Tell the kitchen to prepare more dishes," Zackery barked. Then thinking that wasn't deferential enough, he roughly pulled Raquel over by the arm. "You, go supervise personally. Tell the chefs to bring out their signature dishes. Go, now!"
Raquel nodded frantically and darted off to the kitchen like the wind, nearly forgetting her usual facade of elegance in her haste.
Eugene lounged comfortably on the sofa, watching Lorraine fidget with her fingers in front of him. He remarked in a low voice, "Do you enjoy being made to stand like this?"
"I... no," Lorraine whispered, glancing up. The moment her eyes met Eugene's reassuring gaze, her inner turmoil melted away, leaving her perfectly calm.
She bit her lip, glancing at Zackery. Eugene caught the hint and turned to watch Zackery. Zackery wiped the sweat from his brow and barked at Lorraine in a commanding, warning tone, "What are you standing around for? Expecting Mr. Moore to personally invite you to sit down?"
Lorraine shifted slightly, just about to find a place to sit, when Eugene deliberately slid over on the sofa, creating an empty spot beside him. His meaning was unmistakable.
Elsie eagerly sidled up, swaying her slender waist as she moved to sit beside Eugene. But the moment her adoring gaze met his icy eyes, she immediately shrank back and stood up timidly.
"Sit," Eugene said, his starry eyes fixed intently on Lorraine.
Lorraine pursed her lips and walked over to sit beside Eugene. Even with her head down, she could feel Elsie's dagger-like glare right next to her every second. It was as if Elsie wanted to tear her apart right then and there.
The living room remained chilled. Not like Zackery's thunderous rage, Eugene's quiet, commanding presence permeated every corner, its oppressive weight spreading endlessly.
Elsie stared daggers at the spot beside Eugene, digging her nails into her palm to keep herself from yanking Lorraine away.
'That's my seat. Why should that little bitch get to sit there?' she fumed inwardly. 'Just wait. When it's time for dinner, I'll be the one sitting next to Eugene.'
The living room was thick with tension as everyone nursed their own thoughts. Zackery, trembling, wanted to speak, but the moment he met Eugene's stone-cold expression, his tongue tied. Zackery's hands clutched his trousers tightly at his knees as anxious thoughts raced through his mind.
Raquel emerged from the kitchen and immediately sensed the stifling tension. Hard as it was, she forced a smile and invited them to the table.
The Shaw family outdid themselves with an extravagant feast for Eugene's arrival. Dishes were brought out in perfect sequence, their mouthwatering aromas quickly permeating every corner.
The real focus was Eugene without question, was seated at the head of the table. The place of honor right beside him was reserved for Lorraine.
Elsie shot a frosty glare at Lorraine, who sat diagonally across the table. Barely containing her anger, she forced her voice to sound sweet as she said, "Eugene, I want to sit next to you. Lorraine, you would prefer my seat, wouldn't you?"
Lorraine ignored Elsie and simply turned to look at Eugene, biting her lip. 'He's usually so talkative. Why is he quieter than a statue today?' she wondered. 'Sure, with him here, I'm safe enough, but what about pretending to like me?'
Under the table, Eugene quietly slipped his large hand into Lorraine's soft one, giving it a subtle, reassuring squeeze. His gaze remained calm as he said, "This is fine. No need to switch seats."
By now, it was obvious to everyone, except Elsie. She cooed in an overly sweet voice, "But Eugene, I just want to help you with your meal." As she said, she already rose from her seat to approach him.
Eugene's eyes flashed with a cold glint as they swept over Elsie's face, and then fixed on Zackery, who was clearly relishing the situation. After a long, penetrating look, Eugene asked coolly, "What do you think?"
Zackery gave a start and quickly cleared his throat. Glancing nervously at Eugene, he barked at Elsie, "Stop making a fuss. Let Mr. Moore do as he pleases. Sit down, now. Mr. Moore, you must be hungry. Please don't mind our humble fare."
Lorraine sat with Zackery to her left. Listening to his voice dripping with sycophancy, she could imagine his groveling, fawning expression as he was desperate to please Eugene.
"Didn't you say you were starving earlier? Go ahead and eat," Eugene said tenderly.
Eugene's gaze was tender, fixed intently on Lorraine, wrapping her in a cocoon of affection. Her heart softened, tinged with a bit of apprehension.
Her fingertips curled in his grasp, and when she tried to pull away, he only held her tighter. She looked up at him with glistening, grateful eyes, though there was a trace of helplessness. She couldn't eat with him holding her hand.
Raquel's eyes darted between Eugene and Lorraine, sensing trouble. She immediately stood up, yanked Elsie back and forced her into the chair. "Elsie," she soothed, "it doesn't matter where you sit. As long as Mr. Moore holds you in his heart, that's all that counts."
Barely suppressing her jealousy, Elsie gave a stiff nod before grabbing the serving fork. Having studied Eugene's preferences, she carefully selected his favorite dishes and soon piled his plate high.
Holding up her fork like a prized offering, Elsie looked at Eugene with eyes alight with eager anticipation. "Eugene, try this. Tell me if you like it," she urged.
Zackery eagerly chimed in, "Mr. Moore, please do help yourself."
Eugene glanced at the mountain of food piled before him, his brow furrowing slightly. He made no move to eat, and an awkward silence descended upon the table.
"Mr. Moore, perhaps you're not used to our dishes? These prawns are exceptionally fresh. Would you like to try one?" Raquel plastered on a forced smile. The rich red hue of the prawn stood out vividly against the white porcelain, looking especially festive.
Eugene obliged them with a glance at the braised prawns nearby. With deliberate grace, he picked up his fork and served himself, utterly ignoring the Shaw family's fawning attentions.
His fingers moved with effortless grace; yet the glistening, ruby-red prawn landed on Lorraine's plate. Its vibrant red stood out in striking contrast against the white, radiating a tempting allure.
Elsie's eyes flared crimson with jealousy, her razor-sharp glare boring into Lorraine as if she could kill her with just a look.
"Mr. Moore, th-this is... most improper," Zackery stammered, unable to fathom Eugene's intentions. Eugene was famously inscrutable. No one had ever truly known what he was thinking.
"What's wrong with serving food to the woman I love?" Eugene said coolly, his starry eyes never leaving Lorraine's flushed cheeks. A faint, doting smile played at his lips.
Lorraine's heart pounded as she jerked her head up, her clear, luminous eyes widening in surprise. She gazed at Eugene, gratitude overflowing in her gaze. She thought it was enough for him to just act like he liked her. She never imagined he'd actually say something like that.
As she was still dazed, he reached out and gently stroked her hair, chuckling. "Has hunger addled your brain? What's with that look?"
"I..." Lorraine bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her heartbreakingly vulnerable look could melt the coldest heart, making anyone want to give her the world.
The next moment, Eugene pulled Lorraine's plate toward himself and began methodically shelling the shrimp, every movement precise and unhurried.
"Open up," Eugene murmured, holding the shrimp to Lorraine's lips. Lorraine stared blankly at his elegant hand, glistening yet poised. Under his expectant gaze, she slowly parted her lips.
Elsie's fork slipped from her trembling hand and clattered onto the table. Her knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists, a surge of fury shooting straight to her head and snapping the last thread of her self-control.