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, “Do you have any plans for tonight, Mr. Shields?

on ceremony either. “Sure. Can I

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

She nodded with a

…

it would not be considered negligent to invite someone of Kevan’s status

and Dylan went over 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,

meeting. It only ended now.” He

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

on opposite sides of the table. She

needed to move her arm a little to touch Kevan’s. For that, she felt like she was sitting on

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

over to Larissa. “This involves the privacy of

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

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

an

he replied blandly with his gaze lowered. “With such

right about

beyond the superficial. After she experienced the insanity of the Hardy elders, she actually carried a

her being proven wrong in the worst

perspective—ended up becoming her

“I’ve been sitting here for a while. Why is no one serving us water? Is this the service offered

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

“Forgive me, Mr. 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

shut her mouth at

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

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

heard that you’ll be treating us to the meal?”