Chapter 29

Just then, the wind blew so forcefully that Winnie didn't have time to react before the suit draped over her shoulders was blown away. She instinctively turned halfway around, looking toward where the wind had come from. In that moment, Van saw the slight redness in her eyes. The crystal chandelier hanging in the hallway trembled from the wind, and the sparkling crystal columns collided, making a sound like wind chimes. Van stopped, bent down, and picked up the woman's suit that had fallen in front of him. When he stood up, he didn't say a word, only looking at Winnie. The light from the chandelier shimmered like ripples in a pond, accompanied by the movement of her white evening gown. From confusion to calmness, Winnie regained her composure in an instant. She turned to Yulia and instructed, "Go thank Mr. Marlowe." Yulia had only jogged a few steps before stopping, as Mr. Marlowe had taken the initiative to walk over. He shook out the suit and draped it over Winnie's shoulders once again, his expression still calm and unruffled. As they stepped outside, the driver had respectfully opened the rear door of the Benz van and was standing by. Winnie instinctively walked toward the car, ready to get in, when Van's faint voice rang out, "Sit in the front seat." Not only Winnie, but everyone else present was momentarily stunned, their faces full of confusion. Winnie didn't move, holding the suit tightly in her hands and looking back at him in confusion. Van, however, had already circled the car and opened the driver's side door with one hand. "I'll drive this Benz." Eric coughed, trying to remind him, "But you—" Van didn't let him finish, responding calmly, "I know." Eric still had questions, "And what about—" "Half an hour. Have them wait," Van interrupted. Eric didn't press further and quickly agreed, "Understood." Winnie remained still. Van glanced at her and said, "Get in." With a loud thud, he slammed the door to the driver's seat and the engine roared to life. Winnie, reluctantly, grabbed the collar of the suit with one hand and lifted the hem of her gown with the other as she crouched down to get into the car. Yulia, still confused, started toward the back seat, but Eric quickly stopped her. Yulia blinked in surprise. Eric replied, "You sit in the Maybach. It's more expensive." He closed the rear door, and after a second, the front headlights of the Benz cut through the night, driving away with elegance and quiet grace, disappearing from view. The smartphone's intelligent voice prompt caused Van to let out a cold, indifferent laugh. "Half an hour wouldn't be enough for me to get from your place to the next destination. I never said I would take you home." "Master Marlowe, what do you mean?" Winnie asked. After a meal, he had gone from "Mr. Marlowe" to "Master Marlowe." Van gripped the steering wheel, eyes fixed ahead, his hands on the wheel showing prominent veins. "Now that you're no longer afraid of me and call me Master Marlowe, you're going to offend me." His tone was difficult to interpret, making his emotions hard to read. Winnie pursed her lips. "So what?" "So nothing. Just that I might make you get out halfway and leave you on the side of the road." "I don't believe it." Van pressed the brake, bringing the Benz to a smooth stop. He turned his face toward her. "Get out." Winnie took several deep breaths, then decisively unbuckled her seatbelt. Just as she was about to open the door, Van grabbed her wrist. A click echoed—the sound of the car door locking. Because it was Van who pressed the button, the action felt unnervingly deliberate. A mixture of frustration and anger flooded Winnie's chest. Her eyes reddened further as she stared at him defiantly. "Master Marlowe, what do you mean?" "Miss Loxley," Van said, his voice calm, "A proud person like you can't do such things." Winnie froze. Her emotions, so complicated and overwhelming that even she couldn't make sense of them, suddenly surged, drowning out everything as her past behavior was exposed, making her feel vulnerable and misunderstood. Van curled the corner of his lips in a half-smile, his gaze calm but compelling. His tone, however, was casual. "A woman who can't do such things? I wouldn't let her crawl into my bed. You should know, such pleasure also requires some talent." Winnie parted her lips in a half-laugh, her expression a mix of bewilderment and amusement, as if she found the whole idea absurd. Van silently chuckled, leaning over to unbuckle her seatbelt with a soft click. They were very close now, close enough to feel each other's breath. The faint scent of something reassuring lingered lightly around Winnie's nose. Winnie felt as though her heart was floating like a cloud in the night sky. Despite sitting still, she was gripped by a sense of weightlessness. She couldn't figure him out, nor could she get a firm grip on the situation.