Sweet Subterfuge by Trina Duo

Chapter 9

Dylan spat out the water he had just drunk.

He hurriedly leaned forward to grab tissues from the dispenser and wiped his mouth as well as the wet stains on his clothes.

“My apologies.” He was a tad embarrassed, and yet there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. Once he had straightened up again, he pretended to act serious by rubbing his chin in deep thought. Then he said in a straight-faced manner, “There actually is something wrong with Mr. Rogers. He really does have a problem.”

Larissa perked up at that.

“He’s a total germaphobe,” Dylan grumbled with disdain, clearly having been a victim of it.

This bit of gossip was nothing exciting for Larissa, but as she had not quite experienced it herself, she could not relate to him.

She just didn’t quite understand. “How does being a germaphobe have anything to do with rejecting Karin Gallagher?”

“Mr. Rogers’ germaphobia is so extreme that he can’t even have bodily contact with anyone else. When he goes out on business trips, he doesn’t even want to shake other people’s hands.”

Dylan’s words shocked Larissa once more.

When Kevan checked in that night, he clearly shook her hand, and last night, they had…

Larissa naturally would not think that she was the only exception for Kevan. After all, he did say that he originally wanted to have her get a call girl. Hence, she did not understand how Kevan’s ridiculous germaphobia would lead him to refuse Karin and have a call girl instead. Could it be that Karin was dirtier than a call girl to him?

Dylan saw her confusion but did not elaborate. Some things could not be interfered with by outsiders like him.

Larissa did not have the courage to ask either.

happened to be dinner time now, she asked out of courtesy, “Do you have any plans for tonight, Mr. Shields? How about having dinner?

either. “Sure. Can I bring someone

did not want to meet Kevan due to last night’s

She nodded with a smile.

…

Hotel’s restaurant had a 3-star Michelin rating. Hence, it would not be

later. Unlike Dylan’s casual attire, he was still dressed in

only ended now.” He gave

used to this, and replied without complaint,

As Larissa was not familiar with Dylan, they naturally sat on opposite sides of the table. She thought that Kevan would sit with Dylan, but who knew that

to each other. Larissa only needed to move her arm a little to touch Kevan’s. For that, she felt like she was

you together?” He seemed to be asking this in passing, but his narrowed eyes had a

the question over to Larissa. “This involves the privacy of my client. I think it’s

turning to look at Larissa, his

but since Kevan had asked, she could only bite

an

his gaze lowered. “With such unreasonable

was right about

She had not known to look beyond the superficial. After she experienced the insanity

being proven

perspective—ended up becoming her dissatisfaction with his

just happened to be passing by. “I’ve been sitting here for a while. Why is no one serving us water? Is this the service offered by the Regal Dynasty? Is it worth the expensive service charge your restaurant collects

embarrassed by the scolding that they kept apologizing before deferentially filling up his glass

to the restaurant’s manager. I’ll make sure

refused to listen. Giving her a cold stare, he said, “Just focus on your department. You have no jurisdiction

her mouth at

atmosphere had gotten awkward, Dylan quickly smoothed things over by saying, “Alright, alright. Let’s make our orders, shall we?

three menus in due course, waiting for the moment to take down their

suddenly asked Larissa, “I heard that you’ll be treating us to the