Chapter 15

Tina did not dare to protest.

She had come to ask Samuel for money in the first place, and she was supposed to comply with all his demands as per their agreement.

Right now, she was utterly ragged, which certainly wouldn’t interest any man.

She dipped herself in the bathtub then, and properly washed herself, hesitating when she saw the gruesome scar on her hip.

She couldn’t really remember her childhood.

However, according to the Lynds, there had been a kidnapping incident that had stunned all of Freesia ten years ago, and she was one of the children who had been rescued.

That was why the Lynds had adopted her—to secure a good reputation.

The scar on her hip just happened to be a memento of that incident.

And if Samuel were to see it…

Tina was left in a dilemma right then. That man was going to laugh at her, wouldn’t he?

Her head was left dazed by the steam from the bath, and she unwittingly fell asleep while thinking those messy thoughts.

Meanwhile, Samuel was on his couch with a cigarette between his fingers, a dark look on his eyes as he waited for Tina to show up.

There really was no end to that woman’s antics.

Didn’t she show up repeatedly in front of him to carry out the contents of their agreement?

Why did it have to be her that he feels something for? Damn it!

Half an hour later, Samuel checked his watch, but Tina still hadn’t come out of the bath.

“Tina Lynd…” Loosening his necktie in his irritation, he growled severely, “How long are you going to stay inside for?! Get out of there right now!”

A shriek from inside the bathroom was the response he got.

Tina had just woken up from a nightmare where she was captured by the Lynds, ignoring her resistance as they shoved her into a pit of flames.

Coming to her senses, Tina looked around and breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness it was just a dream…

Still, the water in the tub had already cooled. She had intended to get up and leave when a loud bang echoed from the bathroom door.

Samuel appeared outside, his expression sinister as he asked, “What are you up to this time, Tina Lynd?!”

Tina just stepped out of the bathroom to find him storming inside, and slipped from the surprise.

She closed her eyes from fear, believing that she was about to slam violently on the floor, only for a firm pair of hands to catch her in time.

Tina breathed a sigh of relief.

Samuel snorted coldly. “You really know how to act, Tina. Weren’t you screaming just a moment ago?”

He had thought that something would happen to her, only for it to end up being one of her moves to seduce him.

On the other hand, Tina could feel Samuel’s warmth since she was in his arms, and she picked up the thick scent of tobacco and male hormones.

She was still feeling light-headed, and completely unable to take in Samuel’s cool ridicule.

Eventually coming to her senses, she pushed him away, and took a towel to cover herself and the scar on her hip, stammering, “G-Go outside for now…”

Samuel studied Tina from head to toe just then.

She was slender and delicate, and her thin arms looked like they could be wounded even by the lightest of touches.

And yet, even if she looked so slender and delicate, she was shooting him a resolute glare for him to leave.

Samuel chuckled coolly. “Go out? Word of advice, Tina Lynd—play hard-to-get one too many times, and even your quarry would get sick of it.”

“I’m not playing hard to get!” Tina explained. “I just fell asleep and had a nightmare, that’s why I…”

Samuel, however, was already advancing towards her and pinned her against the wall.

His thin lips were tightly pursed, his dark gaze narrowed dangerously.

He growled beside her ear, “Are you done pretending?”

Then, seizing her chin firmly, he leaned downwards and said, “If you were trying to seduce me, you’ve succeeded…”