Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 267

Mandy stared at him, her expression unreadable.

Realizing he'd crossed a line, Liam fell silent. After what had almost happened between them last time, it was no wonder she wanted nothing to do with him-let alone accept a ride home.

He immediately dropped the teasing tone. "Let me take you to your hotel," he offered quietly.

Mandy didn't refuse.

The car ride was tense, weighed down by everything unspoken.

Mandy kept her eyes fixed on the passing city lights, her face half-lit by the golden haze of street lamps flickering by. Shadows danced across her features, revealing nothing.

Liam watched her in the rearview mirror, catching her frosty demeanor. He sighed, resigned. Clearly, his behavior last time had scared her.

He couldn't blame her. She was just a college student-young, earnest, a little naïve. He really needed to stop with the boundary-pushing jokes before she started thinking of him as some creepy old man.

What Liam didn't realize was that, if Mandy hadn't assumed he was gay, she would have made her move on him long ago.

hotel before long. Liam parked, stepped out first, and opened

the check-in process for her, making sure everything was in

pulled out the debit

low and sincerely apologetic. "This

card

to actually see

this," she said quietly, her voice as cool as ever. Only she knew how desperately she wanted the money. But she had to keep up appearances.

handed the card right back.

This girl was stubborn, a little rebellious, but still had that

that down. But Mandy? She didn't even hesitate. His

least his efforts tonight

hand away, forcing the card back at her. "I said it's for you, so take it. If you don't

argument, eyes glinting with a trace

walked away, he couldn't help but arch

that Mandy, watching his retreating