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.

now, she asked out of courtesy, “Do you have any

on ceremony either. “Sure. Can

but Kevan as Dylan’s tagalong. Even if she did not want to meet Kevan due to last night’s events, he did

course.” She nodded with a

…

not be considered negligent to invite someone of Kevan’s status to have a meal

Dylan’s casual attire, he was still dressed in a suit, and his hair was clearly

ended now.” He gave only a

was long used to this, and replied without complaint, “Have

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

table was not very big, so they were very close to each other. Larissa only needed to move her arm a little to touch Kevan’s. For that, she felt like she was sitting on a hot pan, but Kevan

seemed to be asking this in passing, but his narrowed eyes had a cold glint to

the question over to Larissa. “This involves the privacy of

turning to look at Larissa, his eyes

to others, but since Kevan had asked, she could only bite the bullet and

out an unprecedented smile.

his gaze lowered. “With such unreasonable

was right about

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

her being proven wrong in the worst

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

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 your restaurant collects

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

was also nervous. “Forgive me, Mr. Rogers. I will relay this to the restaurant’s manager.

cold stare, he said, “Just focus on your department. You have no jurisdiction to be meddling in the affairs of

shut her mouth at once.

things over by saying, “Alright, alright. Let’s make our orders, shall we?

due course, waiting for the moment to take

asked Larissa, “I heard that you’ll be treating