Chapter 586
“Her Bagers trailed downward, tugging at his collar as she asked curiously. “Percival, can I see your aby?”
“Do you have V–lines?” Oslalys’s voice was soft, her gaze brimming with curiosity. She looked at him with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, her Raze lingering as if plotting something
“A faint blush spread across Percival’s ears, and he swallowed hard. He hadn’t expected her to get tipsy after just one drink. He thought, “It’s a good thing I came tonight. Who knows what would’ve happened if she got drunk without me around?
“Let’s wait until we’re home? Percivals murmured, his voice hoarse-
Percivals thought, Who could resist her playful request to see my abst With the woman I cared for acting so flirtatiously, I found it hard to maintain my self–control;
ד
want to see now. Odalys murmured, nestling into his arms. Suddenly, her eyes widened as a thought struck her. “You’re not hiding a belly, are you! Lost your abs from overeating?”
She giggled and leaned closer as if she were sharing a secret. “So that you know, I still have abs. And V-lines, 1967
Percival’s grip on her tightened. He thought. “She’s so light–carrying her is no effort at all–but the journey suddenly feels endless. This troublesome woman is teasing me in my arms.
I’m still a normal man, after all. Just because I’ve kept my distance fr
from women all these years doesn’t mean I’ve stopped feeling anything.
Odalys couldn’t help but laugh as her imagination ran wild. The idea of Percival’s abs disappearing, replaced by a beer belly, was just too funny. She smirked and let out a small laugh.
“I know what’s going on,” she said, grinning. “You’ve got a beer belly now, don’t you? Not as good as me–I’ve still got abs!”
She pressed a hand against her stomach to make her point, nodding in satisfaction at how firm it still felt
When they reached the car, Percival carried her as a bodyguard opened the back door. He stepped in and gently settled her onto the seat beside him
The door shut with a soft thud, and Odalys immediately leaned closer. Her eyes sparkled as she reached for his belt, her lip caught between her teeth in a playful grin.
“Let’s compare and see who has better abs,” Odalys said.
Her words were warm against his ear, her breath a soft, teasing whisper. Percival’s jaw tightened as he felt the heat of her breath. He grasped the armrest tightly, trying to steady himself
“She grabbed his belt again before he could pull away, tugging at his shirt. With a faint rip, the fabric gave way. Percival let out a low, pained groan
As the shirt parted, revealing his defined abs, Odalys leaned in, her eyes narrowing in exaggerated scrutiny
She lifted a hand, her delicate linger gently tapping against each ridge.
“One, two, three, four, five. Hey, you’ve got more than me,” she murmured, marveling at his well–sculpted form.
She dropped back into her seat, her face suddenly serious, and motioned for Percival to lean closer. He hesitated briefly before leaning in his face mere inches from hers.
r eyes are beautiful,” she murmured, soft and almost
Odalys looped her arm around his neck, pulling him closer as she examined his features. “Your eyes
Their eyes met, hers wide and captivating, fixed intently on his. For a moment, the air inside the car grew heavy with an unspoken tension, a spark crackling between them.
Feeling a sudden warmth rise in her cheeks, Odalys turned her head away, fidgeting with her face to calm the blush she could feel spreading. “It’s a
little hot here,” she muttered, her tone flustered.
She reached out to roll the window down for some air, Outside, Freya, Selah, Stellan, and Francis stood nearby. The group caught sight of Percival’s torn shirt and a glimpse of his toned physique, causing Freya’s eyes to widen in surprise,
“Let’s hail a taxi,” Selah whispered, tugging Freya away quickly.
10:25 AM ch
Chapter 386
Stellan and Francis turned their heads, teigning blandness as they walked in th
“Hey” Where are
ig“. Are you getting in
vthe opposite direction.
not?” Olaby’s called after them. But the group moved even faster, pretending not to hear her
Hueeze touched her face, but it only made her head throb.
Leaning slightly out the window. Odalys felt a wave of dizziness waslyover het oog
- Dont lean out. The wind will make it worse. Percival sabl, lus tone ralin but firm.
Just then a bodyguard returned with a small bottle. “Mr. Stewart, the hangover remedy,” he said, hindling it to Percival.
“Good” Percival replied, taking it and shaking out two pills. He offered them to Odilys, but she leaned away, her lips pressed firmly together, her eves watching him cauously
“Come on, just take it,” Percival coaxed gently, his voice softer than usual. A wave of tenderness rose inside as he looked at her flushed cheeks
Odalys narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “I just had a drink. You’re not seriously trying to give me antibiotics, are you?“
She quickly raised her hand to block the pills he was offering. Tu not falling for that. I’ve still got all my rubies to protect, you know. Don’t think you can get rid of me before 1 spend my fortune”
Pausing momentarily, she added. Besides, once I’ve wrapped things up here, I need to take those rubies back to the mountains for Oliver
Then she suddenly snapped her head up to look him straight. “Percival, you’re not a spy, are you? You gave me rubies, but you can’t bear to part with them, so now you’re trying to drug me?”
Percival couldn’t help but laugh, caught between amusement and exasperation. He thought, ‘She’s drunk–so suspicious of everything!
Raising his hands in mock surrender, he placed the pills into her hand. “Take a look for yourself. It’s a hangover remedy. You’ll feel better after taking it.”
“Fine. I’ll trust you this once.” Odalys muttered, tipping the pills into her mouth. She bit down with a series of loud, crisp crunches as though chewing on candy rather than medication
Leaning her head against the window, she exhaled slowly. She still felt uncomfortable.
Percival sighed and picked up a light blanket, draping it over her shoulders. “Drive us home.”
“Yes, Mr. Stewart. The driver promptly started the car and pulled away from the curb
Moments later, a message from Freya popped up on Percival’s phone. [Percival, we’re heading back to the apartment. Take care of Odalys–she doesn’t look quite right. And don’t you dare take advantage of her while she’s vulnerable, or Ill have to tell Odalys.
Percival shook his head, ryping a brief reply.[Understood.]
The car rolled through the nearly empty streets. With temperatures dropping, few pedestrians were out at this hour, and the quiet, deserted roads made Crownridge feel even colder
When they returned to Stewart Villa, Odalys pushed the car door open and stumbled toward the stairs, Percival moved to help, but she waved him off, determined to climb independently. He didn’t force the issue, following behind steadily, ready to catch her if she fell
“I’m not a kid. I won’t fall,” Odalys grumbled.
As she ascended, she glanced at their shadows cast on the ground. Seeing Percival’s outstretched arms behind her, she giggled softly. He’s like a hawk swooping in on its prey.