Rewrite Her Thrilling Life (Lillian and Sebastian) novel Chapter 284

Chapter 284: Motives

The auction was set to span three days. The opening night was dedicated to a lavish charity gala, while the actual bidding would unfold on the second day. Once again, Ada had been summoned to the villa to assist with styling Lillian for the grand occasion.

Inside the spacious living room of the villa, Sebastian sat alone on the sofa. His brows were knitted tightly, and his gaze seemed lost in a faraway place, clouded with distraction and unease. There was a heaviness in his eyes, as if something was weighing on his mind.

Fawks wandered over to the wine cabinet, casually selecting a bottle of deep red wine. Manny, standing nearby, nudged him gently with an elbow and whispered, “What’s going on with Sebastian? He looks out of it.”

Pouring the wine slowly into two glasses, Fawks swirled the liquid thoughtfully before glancing back at Sebastian. A small chuckle escaped him. “Nothing too serious. Just that his rival in love has finally made an appearance.”

Carrying one of the glasses, Fawks approached Sebastian and handed it over. Sebastian took the glass, lazily swirling the wine as he muttered, “Janus made it perfectly clear today—he’s throwing down the gauntlet. Is he declaring war?”

Fawks crossed the room and sank into the sofa opposite Sebastian, reclining with one arm propped behind his head. “Janus never plays by the rules. Today’s little scene might have seemed like a casual excuse to talk to Lillian, but it was really aimed straight at you. What I can’t figure out is what his next move will be.”

“What else could it be?” Cameron’s voice came from the staircase as he descended, hands shoved into his pockets. “He’s obviously planning to use Lillian as a pawn to get what he wants.”

“The moment Sebastian stepped away, Janus drifted over to her,” Cameron continued, biting into an apple he’d grabbed from the fruit platter. “He seized the chance to strike up a conversation, waiting for the perfect moment to act. If anyone believes he met Lillian by chance, they’re fooling themselves.”

“Exactly,” Fawks agreed without hesitation. “Cameron’s read on this is spot-on. I just don’t know what game Janus is playing this time.”

Janus and Sebastian had long been two of Kingston’s most talked-about figures. Both men were brilliant in their own right—one infamous for his reckless, indulgent lifestyle, the other feared for his cold, calculating ruthlessness.

Seeing the calm, almost unreadable expression on Sebastian’s face, Fawks decided not to press further. There was something about Lillian that had always seemed more complex than she let on. He considered warning Sebastian but ultimately held his tongue. When gods go to war, mortals are best advised to stay out of the way.

At that moment, the sharp click-click of high heels echoed through the room. At the top of the staircase stood Noreen, radiant in a champagne-colored mermaid gown. Delicate lace traced the neckline, and the dress’s fitted silhouette accentuated her figure with elegant curves.

Cameron let out a low whistle, a broad grin spreading across his face. “Well, well, Noreen. Planning to steal the spotlight tonight, are you?”

Manny, never one to miss a chance to tease, chimed in with a smirk. “Look at that figure, that face… tsk, tsk. Hard to believe the little girl who used to chase after us has grown into such a stunning beauty. I bet there’s a line of suitors circling Kingston by now.”

Noreen’s eyes flicked shyly toward the man seated on the sofa before her. Then she smiled softly, a gentle warmth in her expression. “You two never stop teasing me. I don’t need a line of suitors, thank you very much.”