<b>Chapter </b>149


    Quinn breathed a sigh of relief, giving Leo a hearty pat on the shoulder. “That’s more like it!”


    Leo instantly went quiet; he just felt weird about it. ‘Why do I feel so awkward?’ he thought <i>to </i>himself.


    Especially when he had to act soft in front of a woman–yeah, that was just not his thing. ‘Man, this is so not me, Leo grumbled inwardly.


    Meanwhile, in the next private room, the food was already on the table.


    Ynda listened to the soothing sound of water trickling over rocks outside, and she felt a wave of calm wash over her.


    “All of these dishes were created by master chefs. Do they match your taste?” Ian asked with interest.


    Ian tried a few bites and gave a nod.


    They took their time eating, and after about forty minutes, Fan suddenly got up and locked the private room door behind them.


    Ynda arched an eyebrow when she noticed Ian had sampled some of the custom mix–the tipsy look in his eyes didn’t escape her.


    She’d already shed her hat and mask, leaning backfortably in her chair, just about to ask Ian what he thought he was doing.


    “Ian, we’re still eating in public, you know,” Ynda warned, her tone half amused, half serious.


    “I know, but the drinks here just aren’t my thing. Can’t I have my own taste?” Ian shot back with a sly grin.


    ‘I seriously want to smack this guy, Ynda thought to herself.


    She idly twirled her wine ss between her fingers, saying nothing.


    The tablecloth had an old–world elegance, flowing down to the floor–it reminded Ynda of that day at the vi.


    By the time it was over, her cheeks were flushed, burning with embarrassment.


    Ian sat back down across from her, gazing at her with unabashed satisfaction in his eyes.


    Ynda tipped her ss back, finishing the drink in one go before pushing back her chair. “Bathroom break,” she announced, trying to sound casual.


    Her cheeks felt like they were on fire–she had to step out and cool down, fast.


    Ian’s teasing voice followed her from behind. “Ms. Grant, that look on your face is my favorite.”


    Ynda blinked, honestly having no idea what he was talking about.


    <b>7.44 </b>


    It wasn’t until she reached the hallway restroom and caught her own reflection—<b>eyes </b>bright, cheeka tinged with a bashful warmth that she finally got it. So that’s what he meant… she realized, a little flustered.


    She washed her face, the emerald earrings making her look even more regal–but in her reflection, there <b>was </b>a hint of fox–like charm in her eyes, as if she’d been bewitched by some flirtatious vixen


    Turning to leave, she stepped out into the hallway–and ran right into Quin


    Cooper and Leo.


    Quinn Cooper’s eyes lit up as he grinned, “Ynda, out for dinner tonight? All on your own?”


    Ynda had ditched her mask and hat, face fully out in the open.


    She just nodded, hoping to quietly slip past them.


    But Leo reached out and caught her hand, stopping her cold.


    Ynda furrowed her brows, giving him a pointed look. “What is it now? You trying to get chewed out again?”


    Leo’s gazended on Ynda’s flushed cheeks. He was ready to let loose with a snarkyeback, but saw Quinn was watching and kept it in.


    He shot Ynda a re, frustration bubbling inside. ‘Damn Ynda, damn that pampered pretty boy–why can’t the two of them just get lost already?‘ Leo brooded.


    Quinn shot both Ynda and Leo a look, eyes narrowed in mock seriousness. “Hey Leo, hands off. Seriously.”


    Leo let go of her like he’d just touched hot coal, chest rising and falling in irritation before he stomped off down the hall.


    Ynda whispered, “Is he crazy or something?”


    Quinn’s eyesnded on her cheeks, unable to hide his amusement at how flustered she looked.


    “Ynda, you’re seriously way too good–looking for your own good! Next time, try bringing Charles with you -otherwise, with that cute face, someone’s bound to mess with you. Don’t mind Leo, he’s been acting weirdtely. Maybe he’s just hitting a rough patch or something,” Quinn joked, trying to lighten the mood. <fn823c> Readplete version only at find?novel</fn823c>


    Leo, who hadn’t gotten far, overheard them and shot back, “You’re the crazy one–hell, your whole damn family is nuts!”


    Quinn chuckled as he pulled out a cigarette. They’d been nning to hit the smoking lounge anyway.


    “Ynda, Leo’s picking up the tab tonight—kind of his way of saying sorry. Your wrist’s alright, isn’t it?” Quinn asked, sounding genuinely concerned.


    Quinn’s always been one of the few in this circle who treated Ynda with real respect.


    There were still a couple of red marks on Ynda’s wrist from where Leo had grabbed her.


    With her fair, almost porcin skin, even the slightest pressure left a mark.


    <b>9:24 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>


    “I’m fine.” she replied, brushing it off.


    民国


    Leo stormed back over, full of attitude. <b>“</b>Come on, I didn’t squeeze you that hard! What, are you made of dough or something? Seriously, quit acting so soft.”


    Ynda just snorted, refusing to dignify him with a reply, and coolly walked off.


    Leo was feeling all sorts of annoyed inside, like something was just stuck in his chest.


    Once Ynda had left, Quinn bumped Leo’s shoulder and said, “Man, do you have to go all rough on Ynda every single time? She never does anything to piss you off! She’s always so well–behaved, and yet you just love giving her a hard time. Seriously, you gotta stop being so petty.”


    “Obedient? Ha!” Leo shot back, full of sarcasm.


    Leo let out a dramatic, mockingugh, dying to air out every dirty little secret Ynda was hiding.


    Sometimes, it felt like he was the only one who could see through her act–the only one in the world with a peek behind her mask.


    ‘She’s so infuriating, seriously,‘ he fumed to himself.


    He stared after Ynda’s back, that restless frustration bubbling up in his chest, refusing to go away.


    Quinn gave Leo a yful shove, cigarette in hand. “Come on, if Charles ever finds out you keep messing with his wife, he’s gonna flip out.”


    Obviously, Quinn was just messing around–Charles would never get pissed at his bro just because of a girl.


    <b>***** </b>


    Ynda came back into the private room to find Ian hanging out by the fish tank, watching the brightly colored fish dart around as he tossed in some fish food.


    When he spotted her, he handed her the container with a crooked smile. “Here, wanna give it a try? These little guys are pretty hrious.”


    She was just about to take it when Ian caught sight of the marks on her wrist. His face fell instantly. “What happened here?”


    “Just ran into someone who totally lost it over nothing,” Ynda replied, her tone nonchnt.


    As soon as she finished, Ian let out a chuckle and leaned against her shoulder, the amusement clear in his


    eyes.


    “What’s so funny?” Ynda asked, genuinely puzzled.


    “Wow, this is honestly the first time I’ve heard you talk trash about someone,” Ian said, his grin getting even


    wider.


    Ynda froze for a moment, realizing he was right. The Grant Family had always drilled into her to be


    9:24 <b>Inu</b><b>, </b><b>Uct </b><b>2 </b>


    gracious, keep her manners, and never badmouth anyone.


    Ynda sprinkled some more fish food into the tank, a yful smirk on her lips. “Alright, let’s head out. Mr. Maine just messaged–looks like Starlight’s got us swamped”


    “How about we head to my ce?”n suggested, his voice low and teasing.


    He leaned in closer, resting his chin on her shoulder.


    Ynda didn’t push him away.


    Once she stepped out of the room, Ynda was quick to put her hat and mask back on, purposely heading for the stairs–no way was she running into Leo again if she could help it.


    But just as she was about to head out through the lobby, Ynda spotted Charles and Edward Siniring in with their crew.


    She instinctively shrank back, slipping behind a decorative screen to avoid being seen.


    Charles didn’t notice her, took out a little white vitamin bottle, and popped a pill.


    Edward caught sight of the bottle and smiled with concern, “Charles, are you sick or something?”


    “Just some vitamins Ynda got me,” Charles said casually, walking inside.


    “You know, she’s totally crazy about me,” he added with aid–back smirk.


    Edward’s eyes narrowed, a sly edge to his nce. ‘Getting Ynda to do the dirty work–looks like I picked the right person for the job.


    Even if Charles didn’t care much for Ynda, he’d never embarrass her in public, not with Samuel in the picture.


    A ruthless glint shed in Edward’s eyes–now it was just a matter of time before the stuff kicked in.


    After all, Ynda was the one who handed over the bottle. When things went south, he’d just toss her to the wolves and let her take the me.


    Ynda heard Charles’s words, her brows drawing together in suspicion. ‘I handed him the bottle, and now he’s switched it for vitamins? What is he up to?‘


    ‘Why would he say that with Edward standing right there? Is he trying to make Edward act sooner?‘ Ynda wondered, her mind sharp and restless.


    ‘Wow, he’s gotyers–way more scheming than I realized,‘ Ynda couldn’t help but think.