HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 496

Chapter 496

The restaurant they were headed to be no ordinary place. Ell recognized it immediately-an exclusive establishment often featured in lifestyle magazines, frequently listed by food vloggers as a must-visit spot. Even so, only certain circles were ever allowed inside.

A place where influential people met. Where important decisions were made.

The car came to a stop right at the entrance. Hans swiftly opened the door for Selena-and for Eli as well. Just before stepping out, Selena carefully adjusted her expression because-exactly as she had anticipated-the crowd was already there.

Camera flashes erupted almost simultaneously the moment the car door opened.

“MRS. SELENA!”

“IS IT TRUE YOU’RE MEETING THE MILLER FAMILY?”

“IS THIS A PEACE MOVE OR PUBLIC PRESSURE?”

“HOW IS ELI DOING RIGHT NOW?”

The questions came in rapid succession, overlapping, leaving no room to breathe. Reporters and photographers surged forward, microphones thrust out, camera lenses nearly brushing their faces. What had been calm only moments earlier turned into chaos in seconds.

Selena answered none of them.

She lowered her head slightly, her expression carefully somber, her shoulders angling toward Eli. One arm lifted instinctively, shielding Eli’s head from the harsh glare of cameras pressing too close. The gesture looked natural -like a mother protecting her child-and precisely because of that, the flashes intensified.

Eli froze. Her body stiffened. Her hand clutched Selena’s arm on instinct, her breath suddenly shallow. She could hear her name being called, could feel the weight of countless eyes stripping her bare from every direction.

Where did all these people come from? Eli wondered, the question echoing silently in her mind as she kept moving, clinging to Selena’s lead.

“Please! Give us some space!” Hans tried to push back; his voice raised in panic. He positioned himself in front of them, attempting to carve out a path, but there were simply too many reporters. Their steps slowed, a shove from behind making the situation even more unstable.

“We just want a quick comment-!”

“Eli, do you want to be accepted by the Miller family?”

“Is this an official meeting?”

Selena remained silent. Her head stayed slightly bowed, her pace deliberately slow-slow enough to look fragile, not slow enough to seem hesitant. She tightened her grip on Eli, as if telling the world that the girl beside her was all that mattered.

Fortunately, the restaurant’s security moved quickly. Several men in black suits emerged from inside, forming a human barrier. They ordered the reporters to step back, creating space for Selena and Eli to pass through.

“Please cooperate. This is a private area,” one of the guards said firmly.

Hans seized the opening at once. “This way, ma’am,” he urged.

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Chapter 496

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Selena gave a brief nod. Without looking back, she guided Eli inside the restaurant. The automatic glass doors slid shut behind them, muffling the shouts and camera flashes still clawing at the boundary.

The moment they were inside, the atmosphere shifted completely. Quiet. Cool. Almost peaceful.

Eli finally released the breath she’d been holding. Her hands were still trembling. “Mom…” Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

Selena leaned in slightly, lowering her voice so only Eli could hear.

“Calm down,” she said gently-far too gentle for someone who had just walked through chaos. “Everything’s fine, isn’t it?”

She adjusted her hair, clearing her throat softly as she composed her expression once more. Beneath that calm exterior was a satisfaction she could hardly conceal. Exactly as she had hoped.

Harold had delivered.

“Come on, let’s go meet your grandparents,” Selena said, motioning her forward.

Eli closed her eyes for a moment before stepping after her. The meeting she had never wanted-one she could no longer escape-was finally upon her.

****

“Are you sure?” Chris asked his father before the man finally left the house.

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