Sweet Subterfuge

Kevan successfully got Travis to shut up. Choking, the latter managed to spit out, “Shameless bastard!”

Kevan was unconcerned. He had lived for 34 years and had heard worse than this. The words “shameless bastard” had no effect on him at all.

“Is there any use in being modest?” he retorted. “I’m sure the two of you know better than I do that sometimes being shameless is the key to success.”

His sarcasm was obvious; Travis caught on to it immediately.

“You!” Enraged, Travis let go of Amber and charged over. His fist aimed for Kevan’s face, but the latter caught it a few inches before it could land.

“You’re biting off more than you can chew,” Kevan sneered coolly as he twisted Travis’ wrist, causing him to turn around.

Kevan then kicked the back of Travis’ knee. With a thud, Travis was kneeling on the ground.

Covering her mouth, Amber wailed shrilly, “Help! Help! There’s an attack! Someone’s assaulting my partner!”

Her voice was rather irritating in the silence of the night.

Kevan leveled a cold glare at her and growled, “Shut up! Or I’ll beat you up too!”

Amber took a big step back. “How dare you!” She did her best to look fierce, but that did not shield the fear in her eyes.

“You’ll find out later, won’t you?” Kevan smiled darkly as he yanked on Travis’ hair and stepped on his calf. A twist of his forefoot caused Travis to let out a piercing shriek.

“Amber, call the police!” he cried.

Coming to her senses, Amber reached for her phone, fumbling several times before she finally got it out. Before she could unlock it, however, Larissa snatched it and threw it on the ground.

of despair before she lunged at Larissa like a

Amber was heavier than Larissa. So, when Larissa moved aside, Amber missed her

pretty bad fall. There was no sound for a while before her soft whimpers finally made themselves known.

Larissa. She hurriedly went to turn Amber

and large beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead. Amber was also biting her lip hard and trembling incessantly, her

noticed that a dark red patch had stained

she quickly whipped out her own phone to call emergency

body to free himself from Kevan’s clutches and practically flew to Amber’s side, holding her

for a little while longer! You’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you!” He comforted her softly.

he came over, Larissa let him have her space. Right now, she stood about two steps away and watched the

but she was not as miserable as she was that night at the

she did not know

cold?” he asked.

the question was not related to the situation before them, Larissa was stunned for two seconds before she replied, “A little.”

had just begun. Hence, occasional cold winds were

resist the cold. She rubbed her arms and ended up

her shoulders—Kevan had taken off his suit jacket and draped

okay.” Larissa wanted to peel off the jacket and return it to Kevan, but he stopped

going to lose each other, and said in a low voice, “As things stand right now, you won’t be able to get

he said that,

a stern expression as he helped her to adjust the jacket, ensuring

“See?”

and stopped

…

arrived

by Larissa and Kevan, he snarled a threat at the former, “If something happens to the child, I’m coming

grew fainter, and Larissa remained where

she’ll be okay?” she asked Kevan so softly that the latter thought he imagined it. He was not a doctor, so he could not answer that question. But he was certain of one thing at