Building The Strongest Family-Chapter 96: Unexpected Encounter

The Hyperion GT20 thundered into the cinema parking lot like a wild beast unleashed, its obsidian-black chassis glistening under the vibrant neon lights.

The deep growl of its engine turned heads, freezing pedestrians mid-step, their eyes widening as this futuristic marvel glided into the VIP parking spot with an almost predatory grace.

Arthur stepped out, his Orion Sartoria suit catching the light just right, the sharp lines of his silhouette drawing even more attention. Whispers rippled through the crowd:

"Wow, is that the Hyperion G0?"

"Who’s that guy? A celebrity?"

Nearby, a group of teenagers halted their chatter, jaws dropping in awe.

One girl elbowed her friend and whispered something that sent them both into fits of nervous giggles.

An older couple exiting the cinema shot him a disapproving glance,clearly mistaking him for some spoiled aristocrat.

Arthur brushed off their judgment with practiced nonchalance as he adjusted his cuffs. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Clara and waited impatiently.

After three rings, her voice came through, hesitant and strained. "Arthur?"

Unease flickered within him. "Clara. I’m here. Where are you?"

A pause stretched too long before she replied, "I... I can’t make it." Her voice wavered. "Something came up."

His grip tightened on the phone; jaw tensing while maintaining a smooth tone. "Is everything alright?"

"Y...yeah. Just... family stuff. Sorry."

Another pause followed,a hint of something off in her tone made Arthur’s eyes narrow slightly. That wasn’t the confident Clara he knew.

"Alright," he finally said coolly, "Next time then." He hung up before she could respond.

For a moment, disappointment settled heavily in his chest,the budding anticipation now crushed underfoot like autumn leaves. The night air felt suddenly colder.

"Evolon," he muttered under his breath.

Evolon’s voice hummed to life: "Disappointed?"

Arthur exhaled sharply and shook his head with a bitter smile. "Just... unexpected."

"Clara sounded off," Evolon observed thoughtfully. "Statistical probability suggests external pressures influenced her cancellation."

Arthur’s fingers tapped rhythmically against the sleek surface of the Hyperion’s dashboard as he mused aloud: "Do you think something really happened in her family?"

"Would you like me to investigate?" Evolon offered eagerly.

He shook his head again,more resolute this time,"Nah... Just leave it be."

Sliding back into the Hyperion’s leather embrace, which groaned softly under his weight, Arthur felt the dashboard lights flicker to life,casting an eerie glow across his face.

"What now?" Evolon asked curiously.

"Now?" Arthur leaned back, arms crossed, frustration etched across his face. "I waste a perfectly good suit and go home." But as he gripped the steering wheel, doubt crept in.

Going home meant confronting the silence of his huge bedroom, replaying Clara’s shaky voice in his mind, wondering who,or what,had made her cancel.

No. He wasn’t ready for that.

With a sharp turn of the wheel, he veered away,not toward home, but toward the city’s outskirts where the neon lights faded into quiet streets.

The park was nearly empty at this hour; a few scattered lampposts cast long shadows across cobbled pathways, their glow barely piercing the darkness.

Arthur parked the Hyperion near a wrought-iron bench, the engine’s purr fading into silence.

Stepping out, he heard only the crunch of gravel beneath his polished Obsidian Court shoes.

The night air was crisp and refreshing, carrying with it the faint scent of rain-soaked earth.

Above him loomed a murky sky,too polluted for stars,but there hung the moon like a silver coin, watching over him.

Arthur slumped onto the bench and loosened his tie with an exasperated tug.

"Pathetic," he thought bitterly as he stared at his reflection in a nearby puddle."Arthur Osborn,sitting alone in a park because some girl stood him up."*

Evolon’s voice crackled through his earpiece. "You’re spiraling."

"I’m thinking," Arthur corrected dryly.

"Same thing with you," Evolon shot back.

Arthur snorted in response. "Hilarious."

He leaned back and stretched his legs; the fabric of his suit strained slightly under movement,a reminder of how this night had gone awry.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees nearby, carrying with it distant laughter from a couple walking along the park’s edge.

Arthur watched them idly,the way the man tucked a strand of hair behind the woman’s ear and how she leaned into his touch.

"Ridiculous," he thought as he looked away.

Just then, a familiar voice sliced through his thoughts: "Mr. Osborn?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow and turned to see Ophelia Sinclair standing just a few feet away, tall and poised, her black hair cascading over one shoulder like an elegant waterfall.

She wore a fitted navy dress that was both sophisticated and understated while her sharp violet eyes studied him with mild amusement.

Arthur stood up instinctively, smoothing out his suit as if on autopilot. "Miss Ophelia," he greeted with a slight inclination of his head. "Nice to meet you here."

Her lips curled into an amused smile as she took in Arthur’s attire from head to toe. "I could say the same about you! You’re... unusually dressed for a park stroll."

Arthur chuckled softly while rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "Yeah, well... plans changed."

Ophelia tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Dare I ask?"

He hesitated for a moment before letting out a dry laugh. "Got stood up."

Ophelia’s brows shot up, surprise flickering across her beautiful features. "Someone stood up Arthur Osborn?"

With an awkward smile, Arthur rubbed his nose and glanced at Ophelia without saying a word.

She crossed her arms and hummed thoughtfully. "Their loss."

A beat of silence fell between them as Arthur found himself mesmerized by Ophelia’s beauty, lost in thought.

Then, on an impulse that surprised even him, he gestured toward the cinema glowing in the distance. "The movie’s still playing... May I have the honor of inviting Miss Ophelia to join me? That is, if you’re free?" He locked eyes with her, sincerity shining through. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Ophelia blinked in surprise before a playful smirk crept across her lips. "Why not? I’m quite bored myself and have nothing planned!"

Arthur’s eyes lit up like fireworks as a wide grin spread across his face.

He quickly opened the car door for her with an inviting gesture.

As they settled into the plush interior of the Hyperion, Arthur couldn’t help but steal glances at her radiant smile.

Maybe this night wouldn’t be such a waste after all!