Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 405

The host was clearly far more interested in Luke Holloway. She leaned in with a playful smile. “So, Luke, have you ever thought about finding a girlfriend?”

Luke’s brows knit, just barely. The last thing he wanted was to become the center of everyone’s attention—or their gossip.

He let his gaze drift over the audience, searching until it landed directly on Selene.

She caught his look and answered with a warm smile, the kind that said she was proud of him, almost as if his moment in the spotlight belonged to them both.

“Yes, I have,” Luke replied, his tone measured and serious, as if he were giving a report to the board.

The mothers in the audience perked up instantly. You could almost hear the mental rolodexes spinning as they considered which single women they knew who might suit the famously reserved Luke Holloway.

Selene’s eyes flickered with surprise.

Luke Holloway, thinking about dating? Now, that was unexpected.

Before Selene could react further, Carmel suddenly latched onto her arm, holding it tightly. Carmel’s eyes narrowed protectively at Luke, as if guarding Selene from a potential threat.

“What’s wrong?” Selene whispered, puzzled.

“I’m defending our Sweet Moon!” Carmel hissed back, half-joking, half-serious.

Selene laughed. She figured Carmel must have sensed the sudden surge of interest from the parents in the room—Luke Holloway was officially on the market, and the competition would be fierce.

Selene also realized that with Luke finally admitting he was open to dating, she—as his sister—would have a hard time escaping the church hall anytime soon.

She wasn’t the only one on edge. Harrison, too, had a look of wary calculation, his handsome features clouding over, eyes darkening with something unreadable.

Was Luke Holloway challenging him?

After Selene’s divorce, Luke suddenly started thinking about his own future? Harrison clenched his jaw and forced a cold, thin smile.

The light in Harrison’s eyes dimmed.

Was he just lumped in with “the other uncles”?

Not even important enough for a name?

Daph clutched the microphone and continued cheerfully, “Now I’d like to ask Ms. Clarissa, just like we agreed, to come up on stage and read the apology letter she wrote!”

Instantly, all eyes in the hall turned to Clarissa.

“An apology? What for?” Quentin whispered, confused.

Clarissa shrank under the weight of hundreds of stares, as if each one were a pinprick against her skin. She tensed, shifting awkwardly in her seat.

Daph’s clear, innocent voice echoed through the hall. “Ms. Vaughn, you promised! I got the grand prize, just like we said. Now you have to apologize for saying mean things about me and my mom, in front of everyone!”