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.

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

did not stand on ceremony either. “Sure.

due to last night’s events, he did help her out

course.” She nodded

…

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

first. Kevan only arrived half an hour later. Unlike Dylan’s casual attire, he was still dressed in a suit, and his hair was clearly taken care of. His bangs

only ended now.” He gave only a

and

sides of the table. She

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

this in passing, but his narrowed eyes had a cold glint to them that

privacy of my client. I think it’s better if Ms. Seymour

on to the key point before turning to look at

normally hated talking about her private affairs to others, but since Kevan had

an unprecedented smile.

“With such

right

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 a glimmer

led to her being proven

expression—from Kevan’s perspective—ended up becoming her dissatisfaction with his words.

passing by. “I’ve been sitting here for a while. Why is no one serving us water? Is

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

restaurant’s manager. I’ll make sure that he pays more attention when

a cold stare, he said, “Just focus on your department. You have

her mouth at once.

smoothed things over by saying,

waiter handed out the three menus in due course, waiting for the moment to take down

heard that you’ll be