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.

that business was concluded, she did not intend to stay any longer. As it just happened to be dinner time now, she

not stand on ceremony either. “Sure. Can I bring

could not think of anyone else but Kevan as Dylan’s tagalong. Even if she did not want to meet Kevan due to last night’s events, he did help her out this morning. So, she needed to show

nodded with a smile.

…

Michelin rating. Hence, it would not be considered negligent to invite someone of Kevan’s status to have a meal

and Dylan went over to occupy a table first. Kevan only arrived half an hour later. Unlike Dylan’s casual attire, he was still dressed

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

to this, and replied without

with Dylan, they naturally sat on opposite sides of the table. She thought that Kevan would sit with Dylan, but

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 unaware

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

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

look at Larissa, his eyes

Kevan had asked, she could only bite the bullet and

out an unprecedented

with his gaze lowered. “With such unreasonable parents, I doubt your former husband was anyone

right about that.

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 of

proven wrong in

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

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

kept apologizing before deferentially filling up his glass

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

your department. You have no

her mouth at once.

that the atmosphere had gotten awkward, Dylan quickly smoothed things over by saying, “Alright, alright. Let’s make our

course, waiting

“I heard that you’ll