Let Me Stay The Night

Out of the blue, the teasing voice of his good friend, Durkas, rang out from behind him.

In the next heartbeat, the incredibly handsome countenance of the mixed–descent man manifested right in front of him, magnified several times.

With his face devoid of expression, Nathaniel tossed Anya away. Then, he lifted his hand and pushed the man’s face out of his line of sight. “Are you sick of living, Durkas?”

Durkas clutched at his chest, looking devastated to the core. He did not even bother to glance at the woman who had fallen at his feet, promptly reaching out and draping an arm over Nathaniel’s shoulder.

“Don’t be so indifferent with me. It’s been a long time since we’ve last seen each other. How about a drink with Christina when the conference ends?”

Slapping the annoying arm off his shoulder, Nathaniel declined gruffly, “No, thanks. She can’t drink, and I have no time to waste with you.”

Durkas retracted his hand that stung from the smack. He was just about to continue catching up with the man when he glimpsed Anya glaring at them hotly out of the corner of his eye. Putting his blithe attitude away, he asked solemnly, “Why are you involved with someone from the Ludwig family?”

Nathaniel remained as apathetic as ever. “She isn’t of the Ludwig family.

He would never voluntarily tell Durkas that he almost reverted to being single because he fell into a trap in a moment of carelessness.

Hearing that, Durkas tsked and carefully scrutinized Anya’s countenance. As his brows furrowed slightly, he shot a hand out toward her face without warning.

Anya backed up a few steps in fear. “W–W–What are you trying to do?”

Smiling, Durkas replied, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. There’s something at the base of your ear, and I merely wanted to take it off for you. If you don’t wish to have someone else touching you, you can remove it yourself.”

After saying that, he gentlemanly retreated a few paces, leaving her sufficient space to feel safe.

ear before spinning on her heel and

mocked, “When

your first time meeting me, but your understanding of me is simply too shallow, Mr. Hadley. I’ve always been a kind person, especially toward my friends. Have you forgotten this? Previously, I sought Christina out to discuss a collaboration, as per your orders. For your sake, I

share, but you lacked the corresponding capability,” Nathaniel retorted

that he rolled his eyes, no longer in the mood to entertain the

that or sought this cold

himself out inwardly, he proceeded to get down to business. “Earlier, you said that woman isn’t of the Ludwig family. I believe it, for

mistaken as something stuck to the car it so happened that Durkas‘ family was

but it could only dupe amateurs. It went without saying that the sophistication of

sure about this?” Nathaniel

masks I’ve used since young far surpasses the sum of beauties I’ve seen. Furthermore,

others doubt his judgment. If he were not totally certain about something, he would never

he needed a

to yourself. I’ve

telling me your relationship with that woman?” Durkas ventured in

“You talk too much, Durkas. Also, undue curiosity

sensed a chill running down his spine.

Christina bothered by the many

his curiosity. Regretfully, the man did not

too free, Durkas, I can hire you as a director for

not at all. I’m going to go on a business trip all over the world after attending the international conference today. It’s rare that we get to

Nathaniel rebuffed impassively. His gaze traveled through the crowd before