d at the doorway, his strikingly handso

anger as he looked at

why are yo

ir smug arrogance vanishing,

appeared, a flicker of surprise in m

formidable figure, but I hadn'

st?" Jones wore a sharp, dark gray suit, his sleeves

Roderick's but carried the seasoned gra

hand. "Miss Saunders, I'm Jone

ill remember your last hook at the national boxing championship, knocking out your

ened my tense nerves. I nodded sl

ide by side into the hall, leaving Roderic

arm tightly, her eyes b

liers gleamed, and the long table

make it specially." Roderick's voice was tender as he se

anced at me, flashing

k flaunting its claim, sho

e, unbothered b

d suddenly. It

Excuse me, I nee

dropping all emotion to report recent

her, after observing Roderick, I find him deceitful

otsteps approach

ile. "Sophia, these are Hokkaido scallops I had flown in from abroad. I heard you love s

eyebrow, sta

thusiasm reeked of

ning room, but after two steps,

ntire box of seafood,

ps and sea urchins clinging to my dres

antly red, her voice trembling with fake tears. "Sophia, I brought you seafood

, people rushed out f

me drenched, and without a second

Sophia! You've been targeting Erica since you arrived. She

g pitifully. "Don't blame Sophia.

and landed on the ceiling's upper-left corner. "Roderick, instead of accusing

nwavering. "No need! I trust Erica.

side, his gaze cold as he looked at Roderi

carrying a warning. "Erica, know when to stop.

o cross. "I'm not petty. For Roderick's sak

upported her, lead

rt with a hint of apology. "Chang

nt to a guest ro

carried a fain

he collar open to reveal a hint of coll

a fleeting glimmer of admiration in hi

ation. "There's a nature reserve behind the

ed sli

ooden boardwalk, the evening br

was a kid training at a nearby base, I saw a bo

ace full of surpris

s Erica so much because, as a child, he got los

a coincidence. This river mus

s a river that gobbles up little bo

mile, the moo

, I politely

I gave a stern order. "Pull the surveillance foo

he night outside, m

d Roderick

have such perfe

ently applied ointme

him, a smug smile

brewing, one that would unravel