I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 135: Cold Courtesy

Theo walks leisurely behind the nurse. Even though he’s curious why the Baroness wants to see him, he isn’t worried. If this were a few weeks ago, after the Beachwalk dungeon, he would have been. But not now.

His mana reserve has expanded. His body feels lighter, and he doesn’t feel sore anywhere. He feels like he can take on anyone, so he’s not worried.

From afar, he can see that the Baroness notices him. She smiles, but the smile is clearly insincere.

Sitting next to the Baroness is a man he doesn’t recognize. He looks to be around Arthur’s age, maybe even older. His appearance is on the good-looking side, but only slightly. He’s wearing branded items from head to toe, as if afraid people won’t know he’s rich.

But his demeanor and his eyes, especially his eyes, make Theo feel an instant dislike. No. "Dislike" isn’t a strong enough word. It should be despise.

Theo despises the way this man is looking at Thea. A fierce protectiveness rises in him, so strong that his entire being radiates cold fury.

The surroundings react as if night and day have flipped. The nurse walking in front of him suddenly feels chilly and wonders if maintenance lowered the AC again.

I should check that. This hospital has its own standard temperature.

The Baroness gets up when she sees Thea approaching.

Ryan also rises, following her movement. His eyes, however, remain locked onto Thea. He looks her up and down slowly, openly, as if stripping her bare with his gaze.

Theo can literally feel the man’s eyes scanning him from top to bottom, lingering longer at his chest. This is the first time Theo has real trouble keeping his anger in check.

The Baroness senses the air shifting. She frowns.

What is happening? Why am I feeling colder?

She closes her eyes and reaches out, trying to feel the mana around her. She is just about to trace the source of the cold air when, in the next second, her connection is severed completely.

The Baroness gasps, shocked, and staggers backward.

"Your Ladyship, are you okay?" Ryan asks, startled when she suddenly loses her balance.

"I am... I am okay, Young Blackwood. Thank you." She straightens herself quickly, regaining her composure with effort.

What was that? Did someone cut me off? Who?

The automatic door to the Waiting Lounge opens.

"Thank you," Theo says to the nurse as he steps inside.

He walks straight toward the Baroness, completely ignoring Ryan’s presence. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Good morning, Your Ladyship." He curtsies politely.

"I hear you were looking for me. May I help you?" Theo smiles, but the smile does not reach his eyes.

The Baroness returns the smile and lets out a relieved sigh. She takes Theo’s hands into hers.

"I heard that you were missing. I am just glad that you are okay." She attempts to soften her voice, but unfamiliarity betrays her. The words sound forced, her tone strained and tight.

"I was never missing, Your Ladyship. Whoever gave you that information is mistaken. I was never missing," Theo replies firmly, pulling his hands free from the Baroness’ grasp.

An awkward silence settles between them.

"Erm, hi there. I’m Ryan Blackwood." Ryan steps forward with a smile and extends his hand.

Theo glances at him. If he followed his instincts, he would never take that hand. Unfortunately, he lives in a society where politeness is mandatory.

He barely brushes his fingers against Ryan’s. The other man immediately closes his grip and refuses to let go. Worse, he dares to slide his thumb across the back of Theo’s palm in a slow, deliberate motion.

Theo’s eyes darken. He yanks his hand free and takes a step backward, his gaze turning icy as it locks straight onto Ryan’s.

Ryan creepily lifts the hand that had just shaken Theo’s and brings it to his nose. He inhales slowly, then twists his lips into a satisfied smile.

Theo turns to the Baroness and looks slightly confused.

"Is there anything else, Your Ladyship?" Theo asks, deliberately letting impatience slip into his voice.

"I was actually thinking of asking you to join me for lunch, or perhaps just tea. I would like to have a nice chat with you, Theodora. You have such a beautiful name."

She tries to smile gently once more, but it still comes across as unnatural.

"I also wish to apologize for what happened at lunch the other day. You were a guest, yet we treated you poorly."

Ryan is dumbfounded.

The Baroness wants to apologize to someone?

Has the sun started setting in the east?

What is so special about this girl, anyway? He knows exactly why he wants her, but the Baroness? Why is she suddenly being so apologetic toward this girl?

A thought sparks in Ryan’s mind.

If I can get to this girl, I can get to the Baroness.

The realization settles in quickly, sharp and greedy. Ryan believes he has found the Baroness’ weakness.

Theo smirks. "The other day at lunch, it wasn’t me who was treated poorly. It was my mother. Are you planning on apologizing to my mother as well?" Theo stands firm. He has decided he’s had enough of this bullshit.

The Baroness’ expression shifts. She has been deliberately lowering herself, trying to place herself in Theo’s good graces, but he is pushing back harder than expected.

Her jaw tightens. Still, Theo is not wrong. Leila Montrose was the one she truly owed an apology to.

That dumb Blackwood bitch.

"Yes, you are right, Theodora. Of course you are." Her voice smooths out again, controlled. "I have already dealt with the Blackwoods. The feud between your families is strictly between your families. Margaretha Blackwood should not have used our luncheon for her personal vendetta."

She pauses, letting the words sink in.

Cold sweat trickles down Ryan’s back. Dealt with the Blackwoods? Do I still need to pay her?

"I will order the Blackwoods to offer a formal apology to the Montroses. That should be sufficient, should it not?"

She smiles coldly and turns her gaze to Ryan. "You have heard me, have you not? Go and tell your Patriarch that the Blackwoods are to offer a formal apology to the Montroses."

Ryan pales. What? Telling my uncle that? Does she want to kill me?

"Your Ladyship..." Ryan starts, his voice edging toward a plea.

"Go. I do not like to say things twice, Young Blackwood." Her attention has already shifted back to Theo, as if Ryan no longer exists.

Ryan swallows hard. He knows he has no choice but to leave.