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.

dinner time now, she asked out of courtesy, “Do you have any plans for tonight,

stand on ceremony either. “Sure. Can I bring someone

not want to meet Kevan due to last night’s events, he did help her out this morning. So, she

course.” She nodded with a smile.

…

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

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

He gave only a brief explanation for his tardiness.

this, and replied without

not familiar with Dylan, they naturally sat on opposite sides of the table. She thought that Kevan would

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

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

the privacy of my

on to the key point before turning to look at Larissa, his eyes suddenly

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

out an unprecedented

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

was right about that.

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

her being proven wrong in the worst way.

Kevan’s perspective—ended up becoming

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

kept apologizing

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

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

her mouth at once.

Dylan quickly smoothed things over by saying, “Alright, alright. Let’s make our orders, shall we? I’m

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

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