Chapter 279 A Hateful Man
Yara glared disdainfully at Lucian and remarked, “Have you ever wondered how your ex–husband managed to make everyone despise him?”
Lucian found himself at a loss for words, a rare occurrence indeed. Calista watched him stumble for the first time and couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Her urge to resist a wry smile failed, and she responded, “The universe seems to have a way of rejecting
him, perhaps.”
Yara’s gaze then shifted to Calista’s swollen ankle.
She furrowed her brow and inquired, “Whoa, what happened to your ankle? Did you get it checked out by a
doctor?”
Yara scanned the room filled with assorted alcohol bottles as she approached Calista.
There was quite a selection of alcoholic beverages on display, ranging from top–shelf choices to more
budget–friendly options.
Yara had immediately spotted the array upon entering the living room.
Since Calista wasn’t known for indulging in alcohol, it didn’t require much detective work to deduce whol
was responsible for this spread.
Suddenly, Yara caught sight of a familiar bottle packaging.
She picked up the bottle and exclaimed, “Hold on a moment. Did he give you this?”
Lucian had brought an assortment of alcohol last night, not knowing Calista’s preferences.
Calista wasn’t well–versed in alcohol and was usually stuck sipping weak cocktails. She observed Yara’s
serious expression and felt her body tense up.
Is anything wrong?” Calista asked.
Yara turned to Lucian, her expression filled with disdain.
The booze has got some aphrodisiac in it. You know, they use this kind of stuff at bars to amp things up.
They mix it right there behind the counter. You won’t find it for sale elsewhere. You have to request it as takeout, Yara explained.
ned about it during her visits to the Luminary Lounge. She distinctly remembered witnessing ans order them for takeout in the same type of packaging.
“A man like Mr. Northwood, who spends six out of every ten days socializing at the club, wouldn’t be oblivious to this, would he?” Yara remarked, her tone implying a touch of disbelief.
In other words, Yara accused Lucian of being underhanded and unscrupulous. Lucian’s expression shadowed upon discovering the aphrodisiac properties of the alcohol.
It became clear that Calista’s response to him last night resulted from the alcohol’s influence, not a genuine attraction. Lucian looked at Calista, who remained poker–faced.
“I had no idea,” Lucian began, but he felt his explanation fell flat and added, “David ordered the alcohol.”
Lucian couldn’t help but feel that his explanations were coming off as a feeble attempt to excuse himself.
After all, David was under his employ, and any selection of alcohol would undoubtedly have required his
approval.
However, if Lucian chose to remain silent, Calista likely wouldn’t be inclined to see him again, given her
current disposition.
Moreover, the lack of clarification would only worsen the misunderstanding between them.
“If I had any other intentions, I wouldn’t have just cuddled you to sleep, especially seeing how tipsy you were,” Lucian continued, his voice becoming gentler, almost as if he felt guilty.
The memories of last night, when Calista had responded to his advances, rushed back to him.
Callsta’s memory was somewhat fuzzy, and she had no intention of dwelling on what happened last night.
Nevertheless, Calista could gather some insight from Lucian’s expressions. Anxious that he might reveal anything awkward, she cut him off firmly.
“That’s enough,” she retorted.
Lucian obeyed, looking crestfallen. Calista settled into her wheelchair, pressing her temples where a
headache was forming.
No wonder she had woken up feeling utterly drained and uncomfortable this morning.
had thought it was because she had slept on the couch and caught a cold, but it seemed the real
was far more deceptive.
d’s get out of here: Calista sald, eager to leave this awkward situation behind.
oward the exit, passing by Lucian on their way out. He stepped forward heelt
ultimately stopped.
“If you don’t trust me, give David a ring. I just told him to drop off the Booze. I am clueless about what was in that delivery, and I sure didn’t order this.”
If Lucian had known about the aphrodisiac properties of the alcohol, he probably would have downed it
himself last night..
Calista couldn’t fathom his intentions and questioned, “David works for you, so why would it make a difference if I ask him? I’m not really in the mood to talk to you right now. Just zip it.”
Calista was genuinely peeved. Lucian found himself in a tight spot and chose not to dwell further, fearing
list. that pushing his luck might lead to him being on her no–go
As soon as they left, Lucian dialed David’s number. Conversely, David was in high spirits because Lucian hadn’t summoned him to pick him up from Calista’s place last night.
It implied that Lucian had successfully spent the night there, which was no small accomplishment, given
Calista’s disdain for Lucian.
David felt a sense of triumph when he saw Lucian’s name on his screen.
His tone perked up a few notches as he answered, “Mr. Northwood.”
“Where did you get the alcohol last night? Lucian inquired.
“I got them from the Luminary Lounge. I told the bartender to grab a bit of everything, including those cocktails the ladies usually enjoy, just like you asked. Did Madam Calista find them to her liking?” David
replied.
Lucian clenched his teeth and retorted, “You bet she enjoyed it. I’m considering opening a branch in Balmora, and as a token of my appreciation, I’m sending you over as the general manager. You’re off”
today.”
Puzzled, David stammered, “Balmora? Isn’t the place mainly focused on agriculture and animal husbandry? The per capita GDP there is relatively low. Are you thinking of starting a subsidiary company?
It’s all hard work there.”
Lucian angrily replied, “That’s exactly why I’m sending you there. To make you suffer. Don’t even consider returning if you don’t make a billion dollars.”
In the afternoon, Calista left the museum and attempted to hail a taxi while struggling to control her
electric wheelchair
eling only a short distance, she suddenly sensed someone behind her. She turned around and
She frowned and asked, “Why are you still following me?”
When Calista had left home earlier in the day, she hadn’t seen him, and Calista had assumed he had given up bugging her around.
“I’m your bodyguard,” Liam replied.
Calista continued, “Then why didn’t I see you this morning?”
Something about Liam’s tone struck a faintly familiar chord, but Calista couldn’t pinpoint where she had
heard it before.
She deliberately tried to engage him in conversation, hoping to hear more of his voice.
“I figured you wouldn’t want me showing up before your friends, so I’ve been keeping a low profile and
sticking to the shadows,” Liam responded.
“I need to see him, the mysterious man.”
Calista hadn’t seen Mr. Mysterious since their last encounter when she took on the job.
*Just so we’re clear, my job is to keep you safe, not to play messenger, Liam clarified straightforwardly.
Calista didn’t count on Liam being of assistance in relaying her message. She reached for her phone and
dialed a number.
Mr. Mysterious had called her on the day they signed the contract, and she had saved the number.
Yet, it had only happened once, and she couldn’t be sure if the number was his. After a few seconds, the
call went through.
“Beep… Beep…”
But along with the sounds in her earpiece, there was another ringing sound. It was Liam’s phone.
