<b>3/3 </b>
Chapter 235 Taste
Her nose was big and round, awkwardly out of ce..
Just like she’d once told him during one of their chats–she really was pretty ugly.
But… ugly in a kind of cute way.
Her eyes were bright, <b>twin </b>peach blossom–shaped pools that shimmered with watery light, like ck gemstones sunk into the surface of a crystal–clearke. The sight alone sparked joy.
And her lips–shaped in a soft, natural curve–were red, dewy, and <b>sweet</b>–looking. They practically begged to be kissed.
James quickly looked away, ears burning. He felt it was inappropriate–even indecent–to keep staring at her mouth like that when they’d only just met.
Lily caught the motion right away.
She figured he’d turned away so fast because her face was just that disgusting to him. That her appearance had shocked him into silence.
She let out a quiet breath of relief.
This was her first time truly meeting him in person as Le–and if everything went right, it would also be thest.
Their dual identities could finally part ways. No more mess. No more ties.
“Elias, I’m Le.”
<b>Changing </b>her voice came easily–Lily was a professional voice actress, after all. She could shift her tone in a heartbeat.
Right now, her voice sounded exactly like a lively, energetic teenage boy.
James‘ ears burned even hotter.
Her voice was… really nice, too.
When he didn’t respond, Lily assumed it was because he was too put off by her appearance to say anything. He probably didn’t want to be rude, though, so he hadn’t walked off.
Might as well spell it out.
“I wasn’t lying to you, was I? I really am pretty ugly.”
She nced at his wless side profile and continued, “Elias, you’re really handsome. Standing next to me is like like Beauty <b>and </b>the Beast, except reversed. We just don’t fit. We-”
Shouldn’t see each other again.
Before she could finish the sentence, she felt something wrap tightly around her hand.
O
Startled, she looked up in disbelief–only to find that he’d stepped forward and grasped her hand firmly in his own.
His voice, usually so cold and clipped, now carried an unfamiliar warmth.
“I don’t think you’re ugly. I think you’re… cute.”
Cute?
Lily’s eyes went wide with shock.
Upstairs in the hotel room, she’d nearly burst into tears just looking at herself in the mirror.
Words like unsightly and creepy didn’t even begin to cover how hideous she looked.
And yet here he was, calling her cute–and holding her <b>hand</b>?
What the hell was wrong with his taste?
James, for his part, was stunned by how soft her hand felt.
In his mind, men’s hands were always rough and stiff. But hers–hers felt like one of those squishy stress toys he’d once idly poked at.
Tiny, warm, smooth. He could easily wrap her whole hand in his.
The feeling was strangely addictive. He couldn’t help but squeeze her hand tighter.
The firmer his grip grew, the more stunned Lily became. Her eyes stretched even wider.
Their gazes met. For a moment, James‘ heartbeat skipped entirely out of rhythm.
The way she looked at him, eyes round and sparkling, made her seem even livelier–almost unbearably. charming.
And with that round, cartoonish nose…
She looked exactly like a confused, adorable little piglet.
James fingers twitched. He had the sudden, powerful urge to pinch her check.
But they’d only just met–it would be way too forward.
So instead, he just held her hand tighter. Tighter still<b>.. </b>
As if by <b>doing </b>so, he could walk hand–in<b>–</b>hand with her through all the lifetimes yet toe.
His grip was <b>getting </b>a little painful now. Lily’s fingers ached.
Something about this didn’t feel quite right. She tried to pull her hand away.
But he was too strong. She couldn’t break free.
So she spoke gently, testing the waters. <b>“</b><b>Elias</b>, could you maybe… let go for a sec?”
<b>2/3 </b>
Chapter 235 Taste
“I know we’ve had a lot of great conversations and we really click, but I’m just <b>too </b>ugly, and you’re no good–looking. I don’t think I’m good enough for you. Maybe we should
“Who says you’re not good enough for me?”
He didn’t even give her a chance to finish drawing the line between them.
“In my eyes, you’re the most beautiful person in the world. I’m the one who’s not good enough for you!
Lily felt like screaming.
This this mess of a face–was the <b>most </b>beautiful in the world?
Did he not see the ridiculous matchmaker’s mole on her left check?
Did he not notice the two jagged scars scrawled across her skin?
She had worked so hard this morning to make herself as hideous as possible. She was absolutely certain she could win first ce in an “Ugliest Kid on the Street” contest right now.
And yet he thought she was beautiful….
Could it be that some of the things she’d done to make herself look bad… just happened to hit all his weird personal preferences?
“You said you really liked barbecue, right? I had everything prepared already. Come on–I’ll take you.” Lily still wanted him to wake up <b>and </b>see reality. She wanted him to know just how ugly she really was.
She was hoping he’d recoil. Turn cold. Sever <b>ties </b>once and for all.
But instead, he just kept holding her hand. Refused to let go.
In the end, she was led into the car in a daze, her fingers still trapped in his grasp.
Ashton was the one driving again.
Even after they got in the car, James still hadn’t released her. It was like he was afraid she might disappear.