"Ms. Nicholson, don't just sit there. The beef is delicious. You should try some," Natasha said.

She seemed to have just noticed Dahlia sitting there in silence. Her tone was warm, but her smile carried a hint of triumph.

"Thank you," Dahlia replied, looking up and forcing a smile.

She picked up a slice of beef, but her throat felt tight, and she could barely swallow. She tried to find something to say, both to break the awkward silence and to satisfy her curiosity about what Dustin had been doing lately.

"I heard you were away for a long time recently. Were you handling something important?"

Before he could answer, Natasha cut in. Her tone held both pride and a clear assertion of her knowledge of his whereabouts.

"You're right. My man is very capable. He was dealing with some very important matters and even saved the King. Isn't that right, dear?"

She placed another piece of meat on Dustin's plate while she spoke.

Dahlia's stomach dropped. She'd always known Dustin was extrao