Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 323

The towering glass windows of The Grand Luxe Hotel gleamed under the soft morning sun, reflecting the city skyline in crisp, golden clarity.

Kate stepped out of her sleek black Mercedes, adjusting the lapels of her tailored coat as she took in the grandeur of the hotel’s entrance.

The place exuded wealth and exclusivity, from the line of luxury cars parked outside to the uniformed doorman standing at attention, meticulously dressed in a navy suit with white gloves.

As she approached, the doorman offered a polite nod, holding the door open with a slight bow.

Kate barely acknowledged him, her black sunglasses shielding her sharp gaze as she stepped into the lobby.

Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting an elegant glow over the polished marble floors.

The scent of fresh roses and expensive cologne lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of roasted coffee from the café to the left.

Soft instrumental music played in the background, a classical piece she vaguely recognized.

She walked with practiced grace, her heels clicking softly against the pristine floor, and lowered herself into a plush leather chair near the center of the lobby.

She crossed her legs with deliberate ease, her movements smooth, refined.

This was no ordinary meeting.

She had one goal today.

And she wasn’t leaving until she got what she wanted.

Kate didn’t have an appointment. She didn’t even know his room number.

But she wasn’t worried.

She believed in luck.

Or rather, she believed in creating her own luck.

Minutes passed.

Then—there he was.

She spotted him the moment he entered her line of sight.

Steve Jacob.

Tall. Confidence. Controlled.

Dressed in a dark blue Tom Ford suit, he looked effortlessly refined as he walked toward the exit with an air of quiet authority.

His dark brown hair was styled with precision, not a strand out of place.

His sharp brown eyes held the weight of someone accustomed to power.

He was speaking on the phone, his lips pressed in a thin line, his expression unreadable.

Kate quickly glanced at the picture on her phone—a discreet snapshot she had acquired.

A perfect match.

Her moment had arrived.

With one smooth motion, she stood and adjusted her posture, her movements calculated.

As Steve neared his car, she stepped forward, her voice smooth, confident.

“Excuse me, Mr. Jacob?”

He turned, eyes immediately assessing her.

There was no flicker of recognition, but there was something else—a split-second hesitation, a calculation.

“Do I know you?” His tone was firm, cautious.

Kate smiled, extending her hand. “Not yet. My name is Vanessa Carter.”

He didn’t take her hand immediately.

His gaze swept over her, taking in her appearance—her tailored designer coat, her subtle but expensive perfume, the poised way she carried herself.

He was assessing her. Weighing her.

Then, after a pause, he accepted the handshake. His grip was firm but brief.

“Alright, Miss Carter.” His tone remained neutral. “What can I do for you?”

Kate tilted her head slightly, offering him a warm smile.

“I know this is unexpected, but I was hoping we could have a conversation. Just a friendly chat.”

Steve’s eyes narrowed slightly. “A conversation?”

“Yes.” Kate nodded.

“You’re an interesting man, Mr. Jacob. I’ve read about you, and I must say, you have quite the reputation.”

Steve let out a small chuckle, crossing his arms. “Reputation? And what exactly do people say about me?”

Kate smirked. “That you’re a billionaire, of course. But not just any billionaire—you’re known for being mysterious, private, and incredibly sharp. I admire that.”

Steve glanced at his watch, as if already calculating whether she was worth his time.

“Flattery, huh?” He exhaled. “I don’t usually entertain strangers, Miss Carter.”

“Then let me buy you a coffee,” Kate said smoothly. “Consider it a small price for your time.”

For the first time, Steve’s expression flickered with curiosity. He arched a brow, intrigued.

After a pause, then, finally—“Fine.” He slipped his phone into his pocket. “There’s a café nearby. Let’s go.”

After some minutes, they arrived at the cafe.

The café was nestled in a quieter part of the city—a high-end, intimate space where conversations were held in hushed tones.

They were seated in a secluded booth, away from prying eyes.

Steve ordered black coffee, no sugar. Kate went for a latte with extra cream and a hint of vanilla.

He leaned back against the booth, fingers tapping lightly against his cup.

“Alright,” he said, watching her carefully. “Let’s get to it. What exactly do you want to talk about?”

Kate stirred her drink lazily, taking her time while smiling playfully.

“You’re an intelligent man, Mr. Jacob.” She glanced up, her hazel eyes sparkling.

“You stepped into the media spotlight recently, defending the CEO of Rocky’s Design. That was unexpected.”

Steve took a sip of his coffee, his expression unreadable.

“She’s a friend. A good one.”

Kate nodded, pretending to be impressed. “Loyalty is a rare trait in business. Most people would’ve stayed out of it, yet you didn’t.”

Steve shrugged. “Sometimes, people need to be defended.”

Kate leaned forward slightly. “You must really respect her.”

Steve met her gaze, his voice calm but firm. “I do.”

Kate’s lips curled in amusement. “I’ve seen her in passing. She seems strong-willed. But I imagine this scandal must’ve been tough on her.”

A flicker of something passed in Steve’s eyes. His expression hardened.

“It was unfair,” he said. “People love spreading lies.”

Kate tapped her chin, feigning curiosity. “And you? Why did you step in? What made you risk your name?”

Steve exhaled. “I don’t like seeing good people suffer.”

Kate smiled sweetly. “That’s noble.”

A smirk played on Steve’s lips. “I wouldn’t call it that.”

Kate tilted her head. “You’re more interesting than I thought, Mr. Jacob.”

Steve chuckled. “And you’re persistent.”

Kate laughed softly. “I take that as a compliment.”

Steve finished his coffee and glanced at his phone. “Well, Miss Carter, this has been… interesting.”

Kate quickly took out her phone, her nails tapping against the screen. “Let’s stay in touch.”

Steve hesitated for a second before nodding. “Alright.” He took her number and stood up. “Take care, Miss Carter.”

Kate watched as he walked out. The moment he disappeared, her sweet smile vanished.

Her lips curled into a sly smirk.

“You fell for my schemes like the others. I’m such a good actress!”