Sweet Subterfuge

“I was drugged. Originally, I wanted to get you to find a call girl for me, but you didn’t pick up my calls… When you came up, I couldn’t hold myself back anymore,” Kevan said as if his actions were justified, and there was no hint of regret on his face.

Larissa was not quite able to react at the moment, so she failed to respond to him.

Kevan swiftly turned away, avoiding eye contact with some guilt. He pulled open the bedside table drawer and retrieved a billfold. Then he drew out a card.

“This is my supplementary card. There’s no limit to it. Just swipe it whenever you want.” He handed the card to her. “Consider it compensation for last night.”

While he was saying all that, he stared at the bed, not really daring to look at her. His heart was pounding faster than it usually did, and he held his breath, listening attentively to Larissa’s movements.

Larissa had long since figured out that he was acting weird. Getting involved with him was her own choice. However, what he said earlier caused her fury to flare up.

What did he take her for?

“You’re quite generous, Mr. Rogers.” A mocking smile appeared on her face. “But we’re all adults here. This is nothing. Besides, not anyone can just sleep with someone like you. If you really want to do the math, I didn’t lose anything, in fact, I’ve gained something. So—” She pushed the card back at him. “You can keep this card, Mr. Rogers. I don’t need it.”

Keeping her eyes locked on Kevan’s dull gaze, Larissa sat up with the sheets wrapped around her. Her anger had turned into courage. She rested her chin on her hands and said tartly, “If you really want to compensate me, how about accompanying me a few more times?”

She thought that Kevan would get angry. He could even fire her in rage, but he did something completely unexpected.

After getting over his shock, Kevan raised an eyebrow and smiled somewhat playfully.

“Sure,” he said, “As long as you want it, I’ll oblige.”

…

ran away.

courage and underestimated

Room 8888, she almost crashed into

frantically, and the other person let out a “Huh?” of excitement and curiosity. There was no disapproval whatsoever. Only then did Larissa realize that it was the man who checked in with Kevan

off an air of approachability. He wore a pair of gilt-edged glasses, looking very much like a gentleman as well as having

me, so I wasn’t able to say hello. So, hi!” The man offered his hand to her. “My name is Dylan Shields. I’m a lawyer who specializes in

fact that she was wearing Kevan’s big shirt, as well as having that red mark on her neck, she

Shields.” She shook his hand and let go after two seconds. “I’m afraid that I have work, so I’ll take my

out a tin of ointment from his

Larissa was confused. “Why

to her right ankle. “Weren’t you hurt? You’ll heal

spot where she had been scalded by hot stew two nights ago had long since stopped hurting, but a dark red mark was left behind. Larissa did not expect Dylan to notice this—they had only met briefly in the hotel lobby after all, and she did not think that he

Mr. Shields.” She

it was left behind in my car. I have something I need him for, so I

Kevan got

a fresh skirt suit before putting her hair up into

if by doing that, she could erase everything that

bed, staring at them as she carefully thought of how to deal with these two

phone

last night, Larissa did not dare hesitate and answered the call at once. Livie’s panicked voice came through the speaker as she said, “Ms. Seymour, please come over at once!”

Larissa tensed

in-laws saying that they want to see you. Ms. Moss tried to get them to wait so you could confirm their identities, but they refused. They insisted on forcing their way through and are now fighting with

the sounds of an argument on the other end. This behavior…

in a fight—or, more accurately, a bunch of security guards were

abuse too. “Cheap fuckers! Watchdogs! Do you even

was trying to break up the fight with two subordinates. “Sir, ma’am, please stop fighting! We have already called