Chapter 18: Good–Looking and
Kind–Hearted
Daphne and I both walked toward him.
“Didn’t you say you were staying for a couple of days?” she asked, taking the suitcase from Fletcher’s hand. “Have you eaten yet?”
Fletcher’s sharp gaze suddenly landed on me, and with a frown, he asked, “What is she doing here?”
The disdain in his voice was unmistakable.
It seemed like he was ready to kick me out.
“Lena is a guest I invited, Daphne said firmly. “Be polite.”
Fletcher glanced at the wine on the table, his
1/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
5 Points
O
frown deepening. “Drinking again?”
Clearly displeased.
I responded calmly, “Just had a little with Daphne.”
Fletcher’s face darkened, his expression demanding an explanation.
Daphne, unable to stand it any longer, said gently, “It’s just a small mistake at work. Is it really that big a deal?”
She thought our tension was work–related.
But Fletcher was too smart for that. After hearing just one sentence, he caught on immediately. He scoffed coldly. “Learning to tattletale now?”
“I…”
2/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
5 Points
“Lena hasn’t said a thing, I’m just guessing,” Daphne said protectively, glaring at Fletcher. “Since we’ve talked about it, we should let it go.”
Fletcher wasn’t having it. “Encouraging subordinates to slander others–shouldn’t there be consequences?”
I had only spoken a few words in defense of someone, yet in Fletcher’s eyes, I had somehow become the instigator.
I lowered my head, forcing myself to suppress the unease rising in my chest.
But Daphne zeroed in on the point, incredulously asking, “The ‘others‘ you’re talking about… it wouldn’t happen to be Ms. Bates, would it?”
3/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind..
5 Fetis
Fletcher froze for a moment.
It wasn’t my fault–he had let it slip himself.
Sure enough, within seconds, Daphne switched to full–on reprimanding mode.
I felt out of place standing there, so I carefully spoke up. “Daphne, Mr. Lynton, it’s getting late. I’li take my leave now.”
Daphne put away her anger, pointing at Fletcher. “It’s late, you should drive Lenal home.”
“She’s thorough, I’m sure she already called a
car.”
I nodded in agreement. “Yes, it’s on its way.”
With that, I turned and walked away.
4/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind….. + 5 Points
As I reached the large gate, I panicked and grabbed onto a potted plant by the door to steady myself.
The aftereffect of the wine was hitting me hard.
I called for a ride as I walked, but this was the outskirts, and it was tough to get a cab.
In the end, I resigned myself to dragging my unsteady legs forward.
At that moment, Myslana’s temperature difference between day and night was significant, and the cold night air rushed down my collar, sending a chill that made my teeth chatter.
I suddenly remembered Davina’s mention of the snow–capped mountains and, almost mischievously, told myself I was out there
5/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and kind…
5 Points
enjoying the snow–alone.
But at that very moment, a bright beam of light shone from behind me. I paused in confusion, only to see a car had stopped beside me.
The window slowly rolled down, revealing the sharp profile of a man’s face.
Hmm, his bone structure was exquisite, and his facial lines were smooth–he was a handsome man, without a doubt.
But the face, it reminded me of Fletcher- cold, detached, and ruthless, just like the memory I held.
“Get in.” He spoke to me.
I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “So, you’re not just good–looking,
6/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
+5 Points
but kind–hearted too.”
In the passenger seat, I tilted my head, staring at the hands gripping the steering wheel. The more I looked, the more familiar they seemed.
Long, pale, they resembled Fletcher’s hands perfectly.
“Is the snow mountain beautiful?”
“How much did you drink?”
An answer that didn’t match the question.
I turned my face away, irritated, staring quietly out the window. Then I heard Fletcher’s voice again. “I warn you–better keep those thoughts to yourself.”
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and
7/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
+ 5 Points
asked, “What thoughts?”
His voice was cold. “Trying to take the shortcut to save yourself, but not even bothering to check if it’s the right way.”
Oh, so he knew.
guess there was nothing I could hide from him.
I grinned, unbothered. “Mr. Lynton, you’re right. My approach has always been completely wrong.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, the screeching sound of tires scraping against the ground pierced the air, and my body lurched forward, shaking for a moment before returning to normal.
I opened my eyes in confusion, only to see
8/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind….. 5 Points
the car suddenly stop at the side of the road, with Fletcher staring at me in an unusually intense manner.
Even the arm gripping the steering wheel had tensed slightly.
A faint sense of danger prickled at my skin.
Just as I was about to speak, the man beside me suddenly leaned over.
His fingers brushed against my shoulder blade, sending a shiver down my spine under the dim light.
The sharp scent of soap invaded my senses, and his hot breath fanned against my face. In that moment, I heard his voice say, “Lena, louder.”
I dreamt of those hands again, gripping my
9/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
+ 5 Points
C
waist tightly.
But when I woke up, I found myself lying in my apartment.
The dull ache in my muscles and the soreness radiated through my nervous system.
I looked down and saw a bruise near my collarbone, where a faded tattoo lay beneath.
It was like someone had stamped it on purpose.
Sleep vanished instantly.
Everything from the dream seemed so real.
Yet, there was no trace of a man’s presence anywhere in the room.
10/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and kind…
5 Palate
Dazed, I made my way to the office.
As soon as I entered, Kaitlyn pulled me into her office, her face full of excitement. “Lena, your strategy worked! Fletcher’s backed off.”
My heart skipped a beat. “When did this happen?”
“This morning, Duke called me,” she said, “But Fletcher also mentioned that if Danica can’t deliver the results Davina wants, we’ll have to find someone else.”
A sense of discomfort washed over me.
The timing was too perfect.
Right after that incident.
My thoughts were interrupted by Davina’s voice.
11/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and kind…
After exchanging a glance with Kaitlyn, she opened the door.
Davina handed us a gift box, her tone gentle. “Ms. Hayes, Charlene, I specially chose this gift for you.”
Kaitlyn smiled and responded, “Davina, you’re too kind.”
Davina’s eyes curved into a warm smile. “Ms. Hayes, Charlene, I didn’t handle the previous situation well. Please don’t take it to heart. I’ve already spoken to Fletcher, and from now on, we’ll work together to achieve great things.”
As she finished, she made a fist–pumping gesture, playful but with a hint of
seriousness.
12/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
+5 Points
It was hard to be upset with her.
But when she mentioned speaking to Fletcher, I couldn’t help but wonder–when exactly had that happened?
“Last night, Davina replied, blinking her large eyes. “Charlene, I texted you, didn’t you see it?”
I pulled out my phone and checked the message inbox. Sure enough, I found the message Davina had sent.
“Charlene, Fletcher has agreed.”
It was shortly after I had left the hillside villa.
But I had been so distracted at the time that I hadn’t noticed.
So, Fletcher had only eased up after
13/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
+ 5 Paints
O
promising to Davina?
A tight, suffocating feeling filled my chest, as if a lump of cotton had wedged itself in, making it hard to breathe.
“No matter what, at least the conflict’s been resolved, Kaitlyn messaged me on WhatsApp. “Clear your schedule tonight, I’m taking you out to unwind.”
With the back–end still incomplete, I really didn’t have the mood for it.
Kaitlyn, however, persisted. “Lena, after everything that’s happened these past couple of days, I’ve come to realize something: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, and don’t rely on just one investor. So tonight’s gala, you have to come.”
It dawned on me then what Kaitlyn’s real
14/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind….
+ 5 Points
intention was.
When it came to making money, Kaitlyn was the perfect role model.
I agreed.
The venue for the gala was set at the Vienna Hotel, one of Myslanad’s go–to spots for upper–class events.
From the grand hotel facilities down to a tray of desserts, everything was exquisitely curated.
Thanks to Kaitlyn, in just six months of being in Myslana, I’d become a regular at these lavish affairs. Now, I couldn’t imagine not attending them.
“I heard the Michelin chef who used to work here went back to his country to get married,”
15/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and kind…
+ 5 Points
Kaitlyn handed me a raspberry mousse, adding, “The new chef’s cooking isn’t quite up to par.”
I took a sip of juice and asked, “What about that golden goose you mentioned? Has he arrived?”
Kaitlyn scanned the crowd and then glanced at her watch. “Don’t rush. Big shots always show up last. Let’s just eat something first.”
I was about to take another bite of my dessert when Kaitlyn’s voice cut through the air. “He’s here, the big boss is here!”
Following her gleaming eyes, I spotted the hulking figure of a middle–aged man in a suit, looking every bit the wealthy tycoon.
We quickly made our way over.
16/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind… + 5 Points
“Mr. Rogers, good evening” Kaitlyn greeted him warmly. “We are-”
Before she could finish, Leon Rogers turned his back on us.
We were instantly dismissed by the big shot.
But just as I was about to turn away, I heard Leon Rogers call a familiar name.
Looking up, I saw none other than Winston shaking hands with the big boss.
Winston noticed me too.
His gaze softened with surprise, and his lips curled into an easy smile.
“So, Winston knows Mr. Rogers” Kaitlyn, ever sharp, nudged me with her elbow. “What are you waiting for? Go on.”
17/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
5 Points
We swiftly positioned ourselves in front of Leon and Winston.
Winston appraised me for a moment before complimenting, “You look beautiful tonight.”
I was wearing a simple black short–sleeve dress, nothing extraordinary, but Winston’s praise made me feel a little shy. I replied with a polite compliment, “Winston, you look stunning tonight too.”
I was telling the truth–it was my first time seeing Winston in formal attire.
Leon, observing our familiarity, asked Winston, “Is she your girlfriend?”
I quickly clarified, “We’re university classmates. Professor Fleming here is my class leader, and this is Ms. Kaitlyn Hayes,
18/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
+ 5 Points
my boss and friend.”
Kaitlyn gracefully introduced herself.
Once she finished, Winston added, “Mr. Rogers, you might not know, but the last time you asked me to build a website, Lena and Ms. Hayes contributed most of the work.”
He exaggerated a bit, clearly having picked up on the subtle intentions between Kaitlyn and me.
Upon hearing this, Leon looked at us with a new, approving gaze. “Oh, I see, two IT experts, huh?”
Kaitlyn and I exchanged a glance, trying to figure out how to pivot the conversation toward the project, when Winston spoke again. “Lena and Ms. Hayes are currently developing a romance simulation game. The
19/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and kind… + 5 Points
creativity and gameplay are truly unique in the domestic market. If you’re interested, we could schedule a time to discuss it in more detail.”
Leon, clearly trusting Winston, agreed. “Sounds good.”
Kaitlyn wasted no time in handing him her
Siness card.
The ease with which things were progressing left us stunned.
But just as we were processing our good fortune, a familiar, sugary voice interrupted. “Charlene, Ms. Hayes, is that really you?”
To our surprise, we ran into Davina, dressed in a yellow cocktail dress, and Fletcher, wearing a tailcoat.
20/21
Chapter 18: Good–Looking and Kind…
Oh, how could I forget? This was Fletcher’s domain after all. Had he really been so eager to introduce his Ms. Bates to everyone
already?
21/21
