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.

at the hotel before long. Liam parked, stepped out first, and

the check-in process for her,

was done, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the debit card he hadn't managed

sorry," Liam said, his voice low and sincerely apologetic. "This is a token of my

tried to sound as gentle as possible, but ultimately pressed the card into her hand with a firmness that

momentarily surprised 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. Her image couldn't crack

the card right back.

refusal. This girl was stubborn, a little

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

his efforts tonight hadn't been

at her. "I said it's for you, so take it. If you don't want it, toss it in

eyes glinting with a trace

couldn't help but arch an eyebrow,

his retreating back, was fighting