Chapter 30

Van re-fastened her seatbelt, then glanced at her. The dim moonlight made his gaze seem deep and obscure, and Winnie couldn't understand the hidden aggression in his eyes. When he spoke again, the depth in his gaze faded. He lowered his eyes, his tone becoming plain, but somehow still making her feel reliable. "I was lying. I'll take you home." Winnie wanted to believe it was that comforting scent at play, and her inner voice told her that it was. The Benz started and stopped, and each time it did, Eric's Maybach behind them would follow suit. Yulia confidently guessed, "Mr. Marlowe must have not driven for a long time, that's why he's so unfamiliar with it." Eric smiled. "The young master indeed hasn't driven for a while, especially not for a lady." Winnie kept her eyes on the rearview mirror on the passenger side. The lights of the Maybach followed them, but always stayed at a distance. "Don't worry about your assistant; Eric will take care of her." Winnie shifted her gaze, her thoughts tangled, and asked, "Half an hour isn't enough to take me home, so what exactly do you want?" Van curled his lips into a slight smile, and the next moment, he pressed his phone to his ear, dialing a number. "Tell them to start without me. I'll be there in an hour." Eric, driving the Maybach behind them, paused for a moment, seeming somewhat helpless, but still replied, "Understood." Before hanging up, Van gave one more instruction, "Take Miss Hill back first, and don't follow me." Eric ended the call, sighed, and asked Yulia, "Do you have a key? Will you be able to get inside?" Yulia, "Huh?" At the next intersection, the Benz and Maybach split paths—one turned left to exit the estate, and the other turned right to return. Winnie sat up slightly, her heart lifting again. She turned around and watched the gates pass her by. "What do you mean by this?" Van slowed down his car and rested his hand on the window frame. "Though the wine you picked isn't strong enough to get me drunk, driving under the influence is illegal." Winnie had completely forgotten about that, but now, she couldn't find a reason to argue. She remained silent for a while, then clenched her teeth and said, "Send the driver here." "He's done for the day." "How cou…" Winnie paused for a moment. "You said you would take me home." "I said I would, not right now." Winnie sharply mocked, "Master Marlowe's gentlemanly manners seem to be effective only for a week. I must have overestimated you before." "Is that so?" Van slowly brought the car to a stop on the side of the road, then pulled out a white porcelain cigarette case from the center console. With a single finger, he deftly flicked open the lid, and a cigarette and metal lighter slid out. He placed the cigarette at the corner of his mouth, tilted his head, and lit it. After taking a drag, he raised his eyes and gave Winnie a faint, cold smirk. "If you really thought that highly of me before, you wouldn't have tried to seduce me tonight. You wouldn't even have attempted or taken a gamble." He rested one hand on the steering wheel, and with the other, he tapped the ash off the cigarette. "In the end, you think I welcome all women, that I'll sleep with anyone who's attractive enough for my eye." Winnie remained silent. This man understood everything. She had no interest in pretending anymore, it would only be humiliating. "So," Van chuckled. "You still want to succeed in seducing me, don't you? Should I take you to a hotel suite, or somewhere nearby?" Winnie's heart tightened. "You've already rejected me. You can't go back on your word." "I rejected you because I thought you were Mr. Robinson's woman. Since you've denied it, why not accept your invitation?" Winnie suddenly felt dry in her mouth. "What you just said—that this kind of thing requires talent. I... I don't have talent." "I think you do." Van calmly contradicted her, "Besides, how would you know if you don't try?" "Mr. Marlowe." Winnie sat up suddenly, her hands tightly gripping her handbag. "Please, show some respect." Van took off his jeweled cufflinks, leisurely rolled up his shirt sleeves, with a cigarette between his lips, and turned his head to smile faintly. "You're not wrong in your assessment of me. I'm exactly the kind of person you think I am. Now, it's a matter of mutual desire. Miss Loxley, are you going to remain reserved, or should we get to the point?" The car door was still locked, and his presence felt more and more dangerous. Winnie, with no way out, swiftly unbuckled her seatbelt, took off her high heels, and gripped them tightly, holding them defensively in front of her. "I warn you, don't make any rash moves. I really will…" Her eyes were wide open, not daring to blink, her voice choked. Van, holding the cigarette, leaned back against the seat, his gaze slowly and thoroughly scanning her from below. "How could you ever be someone's canary with that attitude, ? No canary dares to peck at her master." The tears she had been holding in all evening finally broke free, streaming down her face as she blinked.