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.

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

on ceremony either. “Sure. Can

as Dylan’s tagalong. Even if she did not want to meet Kevan due to

nodded with a smile.

…

Michelin rating. Hence, it would not be considered negligent to invite someone of

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

only ended now.” He

was long used to this, and

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

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 seemed

were you together?” He seemed to be asking this in passing, but his narrowed eyes

over to Larissa. “This involves the privacy of my client. I think it’s better if Ms.

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

her private affairs to others, but since Kevan had asked, she

let out an unprecedented smile.

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

was right about that.

She had not known to look beyond the superficial. After she experienced the insanity of the Hardy elders,

to her being proven wrong in

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

been sitting here for a while. Why is no one serving us water? Is

was so embarrassed by the scolding that they kept apologizing before

will relay this to the restaurant’s manager.

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

her mouth at once.

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

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

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