Tangled in his Obsession novel Chapter 504

Renee's excitement was palpable, an electric charge in the air, when she heard Seraphina mention Lorenzo’s name. She wriggled free from Mae's grip and bolted towards Seraphina, grabbing her hands with an enthusiasm that could light up the night sky. "He's your brother?"

Seraphina's gaze flickered to her trembling hands, then met Renee's eyes, which shimmered like stars in a clear night sky. A laugh escaped her lips as she nodded. "Yeah, he's my big bro."

Renee's mouth opened, ready to spill a million questions, but the words got lost in her excitement. She just stared at Seraphina, her eyes dancing with curiosity.

"Renee," Lionel's voice came with a stone-cold edge. "Go to your room."

Renee flinched at his voice, clearly not ready to end the conversation. "But I just wanna chat with her."

"No means no," Lionel insisted, firm as granite. "Go to your room. Now."

Renee's bright eyes dimmed, and she cast a longing look at Seraphina, full of silent pleas.

Seraphina turned to Lionel with a sweet smile as she said, "Mr. Martin, it's just a little chat. I'm not going to hurt your little girl. What's there to worry about?"

Lionel glanced at her with a look that could curdle milk. "What you want doesn't matter. This is my house, my rules. Andrea, take your friend and leave."

Andrea stepped forward, her voice a whisper. "I'm sorry, Lionel. We didn't mean to intrude."

Lionel wasn't having any of it. His silence was louder than thunder as he took Renee's hand to escort her away.

That's when Simon's laughter echoed down the staircase. "Seems like there's quite the party going on here."

All eyes turned to the stairway where Simon and Leandro had appeared, attracted by the commotion. Lionel's mood turned stormier with every added guest.

Leandro stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Seraphina. "What brings you here?"

"Just chasing after the dog that ran inside," Seraphina explained. "Didn't expect to run into familiar faces."

Leandro followed her gaze to the little girl in Lionel's grasp, then quickly looked away.

"Yes, we know each other!" Renee piped up, seizing the moment.

Seraphina faced Lionel again with a playful smile. "Mr. Martin, your daughter has every right to make friends."

Lionel didn't meet her eyes, instead turning to Simon. "Take your people and get out of my house."

Simon's brow furrowed slightly. "We're family, little brother. Why so hostile?"

"I'm being civil by letting them stand here," Lionel shot back. "If not for—"

His gaze swept over Seraphina, who could guess that if not for Simon's presence, Lionel would've had them thrown out by now.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Martin?" Seraphina asked. "Your daughter is growing up, she might even have her first crush. It's natural she'd wanna talk about it with her friend, not with her overprotective father."