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.

concluded, 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

“Sure. Can I bring someone

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 her gratitude to him

She nodded with a smile.

…

restaurant had a 3-star Michelin rating. Hence, it would not be considered negligent to invite someone of

to occupy a table 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 had been completely swept up, revealing his gleaming forehead.

only ended now.” He

long used to this, and replied without complaint, “Have a seat.”

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

to move her arm a little to touch Kevan’s. For that, she felt

asking this in passing, but his narrowed

the question over to Larissa. “This involves the privacy of my client. I think it’s better if Ms. Seymour spoke for herself.”

the key point before turning to look at Larissa, his eyes suddenly warmer than before. “You want a

about her private affairs to others, but since Kevan had asked, she could only bite the bullet

an unprecedented

such unreasonable parents,

was right about

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

her being proven wrong in the

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

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

kept apologizing before deferentially

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

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

mouth at once.

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

waiter handed out the three menus in due course, waiting

“I heard that you’ll be treating