Selina lifted her eyes to him, but he wasn't looking at her. His gaze was fixed ahead, dark and seething, a restrained blaze of fury radiating from him as though he'd set the whole table on fire if anyone dared threaten her again.
Zane hadn't known when he reacted instinctively. His brows were drawn tight, jaw locked, the muscles ticking as he glared at Gilbert—barely restraining himself enough to stay respectful.
"You shouldn't ruin my mood," Zane murmured coldly.
Gilbert whipped his head toward Selina, jabbing a finger at her. "That child has become ungrateful and insolent, challenging my authority! She needs to be taught a lesson!"
That word—taught—ignited something dark in Zane, a deep and unpleasant fury pulsing through his veins.
He let out a short, derisive scoff. His hand slipped away from Selina's back, and she straightened immediately, putting space between them. Zane leaned back into his seat, reclaiming his usual composed posture—but his eyes remained lethal.
