Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 131

Zara couldn't hold back a snort, letting out a laugh that was anything but polite.

"Ha! Caleb, now do you see how tough my Uncle Stellan is?"

Caleb looked thoroughly defeated, grinding his molars so hard she could almost hear it. "Little Zara, did you forget who's footing the bill tonight?"

Zara quickly mimed zipping her lips shut, knowing better than to push her luck any further.

But as she glanced up, she noticed something odd—Uncle Stellan was staring quite intently at her best friend.

She turned to look at Sunny. Her friend's head was bowed, eyes fixed on her glass like she could bore a hole right through it.

"Sunny! Don't space out! Here, eat up—don't be shy with him. Hmph, the heir to the Mitchell fortune can afford it."

Even with Stellan's relaxed posture tonight, he radiated an effortless authority that filled the room. The table was narrow enough that their fingers brushed occasionally while reaching for dishes, which made Sunny even more tense.

Of the four at the table, Caleb seemed to be Stellan's close friend and clearly knew what was going on between them. Zara, on the other hand, was blissfully in the dark.

Sunny was caught in the middle, guilt gnawing at her, terrified Zara would notice something was off.

The whole meal was a nerve-wracking ordeal.

As dinner wound down, Zara asked offhandedly, "Hey, Sunny, are you free this weekend? Let's get out of town and spend a couple days in the mountains."

Normally, Sunny would've jumped at the idea. But this weekend…

She feigned casualness and looked up, only to meet Stellan's dark eyes, amusement flickering in them as he watched her—unblinking, unwavering.

She quickly looked away, cleared her throat, and said, "Sorry, Zara, I've got plans this weekend. Can't make it."

"What about next week?"

Sunny's smile faded. "My grandma's memorial is next weekend. Sorry."

"It's okay, I'm the one who should apologize for not checking first." Zara gave her a quick, comforting hug, annoyed with herself.

When she let go and glanced at Uncle Stellan, she noticed his brow was creased, his expression unusually stern.

Stellan gave him a lazy sideways glance. "Ever heard of a toast with tea instead of wine?"

Fine, whatever—Stellan was impossible sometimes.

—

Soon after, Zara and Sunny climbed into Stellan's car, leaving Caleb behind to wait for his driver.

From the front seat, Stellan's dark eyes flicked up, catching them in the rearview mirror.

"Zara, I'll drop you off at your family's place first, then take Sunny home."

"Okay, Uncle Stellan," Zara said, not thinking twice about it.

Sunny was tempted to say just drop her at the subway, regretting for the hundredth time that her car happened to be in the shop today.

Once Zara got out and it was just the two of them in the car, Stellan pulled over to the side, hazard lights blinking. Sunny, puzzled, was just about to speak when he broke the silence, his voice soft but unmistakably firm.