Chapter 15
Hadley greeted Laurel with a smile and opened the passenger door for her. Laurel nodded her thanks and then glanced at Roderick, who had just
climbed out of the driver’s seat.
“Let’s go,” he said, tossing the car keys to Hadley, and confidently strode up the steps to the city hall, with Laurel following closely behind.
Watching them. Hadley couldn’t help but think they seemed like an interesting pair. On the surface, he was a flashy playboy, and she was a shy but smart young lady
Yet, beneath that, one was cold and ruthless, while the other was charming and sharp. It felt like a match made in heaven.
Once they were out of this office, Roderick would finally get a break from Grace’s constant marriage nagging. And Hadley himself wouldn’t have to deal with juggling Roderick and Grace on that topic anymore.
Plus, maybe what Roderick had been investigating for years would finally get a breakthrough thanks to Laurel.
It’s just perfect. Hadley thought happily as he pulled away to find a parking spot.
When Laurel and Roderick finally came out after getting their license, it was already noon.
Laurel had rushed out last night, not expecting to get a license with Roderick today. She hadn’t brought her driver’s license and had to dash back home to grab it
They left the Kingwater Villa around ten o’clock, and with that delay, she was running later than planned. As they stepped outside the city hall, Laurel reached out to Roderick, saying, “Let me keep this.”
Roderick looked at the marriage license in his hand and handed it over with a laid–back grin. “Getting ready for a divorce already?”
Laurel caught the sarcasm but shrugged it off, slipping the marriage license into the zippered pocket of her bag. “I’ve got my reasons. And want a divorce, just let me know.”
Just as she was about to head down the steps, Roderick caught her wrist firmly. “Where’s the stuff?” he asked.
Laurel waved her cell phone in front of him. “I emailed it to you ages ago,” she replied.
Rodenck instinctively reached for his phone as Laurel rubbed her wrist and walked down the steps toward Hadley, who had been waiting by the
The two of them hopped into the car.
me to the Lynch Mansion!”
Laurel turned to Hadley and said, “Can you take me
Roderick raised an eyebrow. “You’re heading to the Lynch mansion!”
Laurel tilted her head. “Problem“”
Roderick had a hunch that Laurel didn’t know about the call from Sienna, so he wondered why she was even going there.
Remembering the marriage license Laurel had asked for, he connected some dots and said quietly, “I’ll go with you”
Laurel looked a bit taken aback. “You’re coming along too?”
“Problem?” Roderick shot back, smirking.
Laurel nearly choked. The guy just wouldn’t back down, not even a little bit. Then, a thought hit her, and she smiled meaningfully.
“Mr. Lynch, yesterday I invited you to see a show to prove my sincerity. Today, I’m treating you to another one–let’s make this a happy partnership,” she said.
Roderick raised an eyebrow, curious about what she was up to now. He didn’t respond and went back to checking his emails.
Laurel noticed his nonchalant vibe and pressed him, “Aren’t you even a bit curious about why I’m heading to the Lynch Mansion?”
Roderick didn’t glance up. “Not really. We’ll
I figure it out later”
Chapter 13
Laurel was at a loss for words “Tve heard you, Mr. Lynch, are known as the biggest playboy in Oslonia City, charming countless women. I wonder how they’d react if they knew you were actually so cold and sharp compied”
Finally, Roderick turned to look at her. “Unfortunately, some women just don’t catch my interest.”
Laurel was intrigued. “So, Mr. Lynch, what kind of women do you usually go for
Roderick scoffed. “Not your type.”
Before he could say more, Hadley jumped into the conversation. “Mr. Lynch, Ms. Lambert is known as the number one beauty in Oslonia City–at model for all the classy ladies”
The implication was clear; if Roderick wasn’t into her, then something was off.
“Is that so? Roderick said, sizing Laurel up “Seems like you’ve crafted quite the image
Laurel caught the dig in his words and shot back, “Right back at you”
Turning away from him, Laurel said to Hailey, “Hadley, it seems like your boss isn’t exactly the type to be swayed by women”
Hadley nodded, “Yeah, Mr. Lynch is pretty much all about the money.”
Laurel smiled and shook her head, “Nope, that’s not it.”
Hadley glanced at her through the rearview mirror and asked, “So what is he into, then?”
Laurel’s tone was meaningful as she replied, “Maybe he’s into men?”
“Men?” Hadley was so taken aback that the steering wheel slipped, making the car lurch a bit. “Mr. Lynch, are you really—”
“Focus on the road!” Roderick grumbled, pressing the divider between them.
Tm into men, huh?” Roderick approached Laurel slowly, his breath heavy with a dangerous vibe.
Laurel instinctively braced herself against his chest to keep some space between them. Though a part of her felt nervous, she didn’t back down. “Mr. Lynch, it’s not unreasonable to think that you might be gay.”
dan
Roderick raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on
Laurel cleared her throat, “I mean, a gorgeous girl like me was brought home by you last night, and you managed to keep your hands to yourself That makes me suspicious that you’re not really into women”
Roderick chuckled, though it was more out of frustration. Managed to keep my hands to myself? If she hadn’t spoiled the fun last night, she’d probably still be in my bedr
Roderick recoiled at that thought. “Are you saying I can’t perform!”
Laurel noticed his expression darken and rushed to explain, “It’s not that you can’t. It’s just-
“You wanna find out?” Suddenly, Roderick grasped her wrist and pushed her back against the seat.
Laurel’s breath caught in her throat, and she panicked slightly, trying to pull away, but Roderick’s grip was firm. She forced herself to stay calm. “Here? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”
Roderick smirked, clearly enjoying her panic. “We’re married, so how is it inappropriate?”
Just as Laurel was about to respond, Roderick’s cell phone rang loudly, cutting through the tension. Without missing a beat, she pointed at the phone and said, “Looks like someone’s calling you.”
Roderick hesitated when he saw the caller ID flash Sienna’s name
He leaned closer to Laurel, lowering his voice. “Do you think this place is too small for us to have a good time? Don’t worry. It’s our first night tonight–it’s definitely gonna be unforgettable for you, Mrs. Lynch,”
Laurel raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of doubt about how much of that statement was genuine and how much was just fluff.
| ₫
120PM ď ď
Chapter 15
Unforgettable! We’ve barely known each other for two days. Shouldn’t things move a bit slower? she thought.
“Once we get married, can you really fulfil your wifely duties without any regrets! Suddenly, Roderick’s earlier words echoed in her mind.
Is he suggesting
ag 1 full my duties tonight?” she wondered.
Meanwhile, Roderick was busy answering Sienna, his tone casual. “We’re almost there. No rush. We’ll chat when I get home?
After a few quick replies, Roderick ended the call, and Laurel caught the “we” in his words. “Does your family know about us?” she asked.
Roderick deflected the question with another. “Are you scared!”
Laurel scoffed. “If I was scared, I wouldn’t have come to y
you”
He seemed to hesitate for a moment, avoiding the depth of her comment. “They thought you were my girlfriend and didn’t have any idea about the marriage, he replied, leaving things half–said.
Not noticing Roderick’s unease, Laurel asked casually. “So, have you figured out how you’re going to tell them?”
Roderick shrugged. “Aren’t you the one who should do it?”
Laurel blinked in surprise. “Why me?”
