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 asked out of courtesy,

did not stand on ceremony either. “Sure. Can I bring someone with

Even if she did not want to meet Kevan due to last night’s events, he

course.” She nodded

…

rating. Hence, it would not be considered negligent to

Dylan’s casual attire, he was still dressed in a

It only ended now.” He gave only

used to this, and replied without

the table. She thought that Kevan would sit with

they 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

his narrowed eyes had a

“This involves the privacy of my

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

others, but since Kevan had asked, she could only bite the

an

gaze lowered. “With such unreasonable parents, I

right about that.

was a pity that Larissa was foolish back then. She had not known to look beyond the superficial. After she

her being proven wrong in the worst way.

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

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 expensive

scolding that they kept apologizing before deferentially filling up his glass with

Rogers. I will relay this to the restaurant’s manager. I’ll make sure that he pays more attention when training the waiters.”

a cold stare, he said, “Just focus on your department. You have no jurisdiction to be meddling in the affairs of

her mouth at once.

by saying, “Alright, alright. Let’s

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

that you’ll be