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.

it just happened to be dinner time now, she asked out of courtesy, “Do

not stand on ceremony either. “Sure. Can

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.

nodded

…

be considered negligent to invite someone

arrived half an hour later. Unlike Dylan’s casual attire, he was still dressed

ended now.” He gave only a

to this, and replied without complaint, “Have

table. She thought that Kevan would sit

her arm a little to touch Kevan’s. For that, she felt like she was sitting on a hot pan, but Kevan seemed unaware of

his narrowed eyes had a cold glint to

just smiled and threw the question over to Larissa. “This involves the privacy of my client. I think it’s better if Ms. Seymour spoke

point before turning to look at Larissa, his eyes suddenly warmer than

hated talking about her private affairs to others, but since Kevan had asked, she could only

out an unprecedented

lowered. “With such unreasonable parents, I doubt your former

was right about that.

back then. She had not known to look beyond the superficial. After she experienced the insanity of the

only led to her being proven wrong in

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

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

was so embarrassed by the scolding that they kept apologizing before deferentially filling

the restaurant’s manager.

department. You have no jurisdiction to be meddling in the affairs of

shut her mouth at

atmosphere had gotten awkward, Dylan quickly smoothed things over by saying,

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

Larissa, “I heard that you’ll be treating