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.

she did not intend to stay any longer. As it just happened to be dinner time now, she asked out of courtesy, “Do you have any plans

either. “Sure. Can

tagalong. Even if she did not want to meet Kevan due to last night’s

She nodded with a

…

restaurant had a 3-star Michelin rating. Hence, it would not be considered

he was still dressed in a suit, and his hair

was in a meeting. It only ended now.” He

to this, and replied without

table. She thought that Kevan would sit with Dylan, but who knew that

little to touch Kevan’s. For that, she felt like she was sitting on a hot pan, but Kevan

together?” He seemed to be asking this in passing, but his narrowed eyes had a cold glint to them that caused Larissa to hunch a

just smiled and threw the question over to Larissa. “This involves the privacy

the key point before turning to look at

since Kevan had asked, she could only bite the bullet and confirm it.

an unprecedented

nice,” he replied blandly with his gaze lowered. “With such unreasonable parents, I doubt your

was right

a pity that Larissa was foolish back then. She had not known to look beyond the superficial. After she experienced the insanity of the Hardy elders, she actually carried

led to her being proven wrong in

vexed expression—from Kevan’s perspective—ended up becoming her

off at that, Kevan barked at a waiter who 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

waiter was so embarrassed by the scolding that they kept apologizing before

was also nervous. “Forgive me, Mr. Rogers. I will relay this to the restaurant’s manager. I’ll make sure that he pays more attention

said, “Just focus on your department. You have no jurisdiction to

her mouth

gotten awkward, Dylan quickly smoothed things over by

handed out the three menus in due course, waiting for the moment to take down their orders.

Larissa, “I heard that you’ll be treating