Chapter 22 There’s Nothing Between Us katew I had to look like a mess with my clothes in disaray Rowan didn’t seem to care about that, though. I held a hand to his chest, my eyes cold. “Are you testing My words seemed to be like a bucket of cold water over his head. They extinguished most of the flames burning in his eyes, and he stared at me for a while before settling back down on his side of the bed. It happened so quickly and storically that it was as it I’d imagined what had just happened. I silently hamed my back to him, feeling sorowful, once upon a time, I’d thought of seducing Rowan and fantasized about having lods with him. Lite would be simple and happy. Now, my only wish was that he would divorce me soon so we could go our separate ways, Thanks to the fact that I’d only slept in the wee hours of the morning, I only woke up at noon the following day. It was then that I malized I had several unread One was from Paula, telling me that she and George had returned to Cunting City to deal with something. One was from Natalie, who’d asked whether I was interested in performing in a conceit. There was also one from an unknown number. I didn’t know who the sender was, but the contents of the message stoned me. It was a photo of me pulling Benjamin out of the parking lot last night. The angle at which it had been taken made us look like a couple, but Benjamin looked pitiful, covered in wounds. 1 pondered the matter and racked my brains for all the possibilities. Had the paparazzi caught me? Or had Larry and his men had accomplices who’d secretly snapped me? Dad and Rowan were considered well–known in Alton City, but I’d always kept a low profile, especially after marrying Rowan. Even Jean and the others had tried and failed to invite me out most of the time. Why would I have attracted the paparazzi? I genuinely couldn’t think of anyone, so I called the number. The call was rejected almost as soon as it connected. I had no choice but to send them a text. “Could I know who you are? Can you tell me your name?” If that photo were to get out, the general public would definitely get me and Benjamin wrong despite there being nothing between us. I only wanted to keep a low profile and woo a handsome guy; 1 didn’t want to make headlines. Soon, the sender replied, “Ivan Yock” I almost had an aneurysm. Had he been at the parking lot last night? How dare he secretly take photos of me and Benjamin! He’d suspected something was up between me and Benjamin when the latter had been hospitalized–now, it seemed nothing would clear our names I texted, “I am the person in the photo, but you must’ve gotten the wrong idea. How about treat you to a meal and tell you exactly what happened?” Ivan didn’t reply. It was as if his number had suddenly become an empty number. I impatiently called him again, but this time, he answered the call “Just let me know the time and place. ” He agreed so readily that it was as if he’d been waiting for me to buy hima meal. “Fine, then. ” Thung up and ultimately decided to meet him at Vinestone Hotel. He’d gotten me wrong there, so I would unravel the misunderstanding there. He replied with an affirmative answer I spent the rest of the day feeling a little ardous. At 7:00 pm, 1 changed and headed to Peony Hall at Vinestone Hotel. It was the most expensive restaurant there, and lordered a total of 18 dishes. Iefused to believe that the food wouldn’t be enough to convince him of my innocence. This is the surveillance footage you’ve asked for, Ms. Sadler” The hotel’s general manager appeared before me again and respectfully gave me a USB drive. A copy of the parking lot’s surveillance footage from last night was saved inside “Thanks” I smiled faintly. After a while, Ivan finally showed up. He wore a coffee–colored shirt, which accentuated his elegant, aloot air. He sat across from me and said bluntly, “You can start explaining now. ” “Don’t be in such a nish. We can talk while eating. ” I smiled, trying to seem composed “What’s going on between you and Benjamin Colt?” He didn’t seem to understand me Instead of going along with my tempo, he decided to get right into a sharp Interrogation I answered coolly, “We’re friends, and we got to know each other after the accident. I know his girlfriend, too!” Ivan’s gaze changed slightly. “He has a girlfriend” Trodded. Ashley wouldn’t be his girlfriend for much longer, though. Ivan would try to steal her from Rowan, too. I looked at him and thought about Rowan’s good looks. They were both handsome and outstanding in their own right, so they could have any woman they wanted. Yet they would later fall out over a creuilar woman. I couldn’t even imagine it “Look at this!” Seeing that van had fallen into thought, I plugged the USB drive into my phone and showed him the surveillance footage, feeling confident. “From this angle, you can see all my interactions with Benjamin since my arrival at the parking lot. “You can even hear everything I said. There’s nothing between us!” For now, anyway. Who knew whether anything would happen in the future? From Ivan’s angle, probably couldn’t see me and Benjamin facing off against Larry and his men. It looked more like he’d handedly snapped a photo when he saw me holding Benjamin’s hand and dragging him away. He took my phone and watched the video seriously. I leaned forward slightly to scrutinize the change in his expression, when he saw me slap Larry and the others, he raised an eyebrow slightly as a trace of amusement flashed in his eyes. He returned the phone to me and said, “You’re pretty bold. ” “Heh. We can’t just sit back and allow people to push us around, cam we? I’m Rowan Payne’s wife, after all, and my dad is someone important. I chuckled tucked my phone away. Chapter 22 Dare & Nadung Between Us 2/2 “Does Rowan know about Benjamin?” he asked. In other words, he was worried that I’d already cheated on Rowan. In the past, I’d only known that Rowan and Ivan had grown up together and were the best of friends. But because I hadn’t gotten to know anyone in their circle. I had no idea just how close they were. Now, I knew the answer. Ivan was more worried about Rowan’s marriage than anyone else. Still, despite being such good friends with each other, he and Rowan had still fallen out over Ashley and become swom enemies. It was a pity, really. I shook my head. “No, he doesn’t. It’s not like Benjamin’s an important friend. It doesn’t really matter whether Rowan knows. ” Ivan sipped his water without saying anything. I didn’t know whether he’d actually believed me, but he didn’t say anything else to me after that. In fact, he left after only tasting two of the 15 dishes I’d ordered. “What a waste,” 1 muttered as I watched the rest of the dishes being served. I summoned a server and had him pack the food up so I could take them home. Then, I left. On my way back to Windwill Estate, I suddenly recalled an address–it was the one Ella had indicated in her details. She and her family were all locals of Alton City. and their home was located at the border of Alton City and Curtino City. It was still under Alton City’s jurisdiction, but the place was far less developed than the rest of the city. The property prices were much more affordable there, too. Ashley’s family was slightly better off than Benjamin’s. Benjamin’s home was in a small town outside of the city. Since Paula and George had returned to Curtino City, Rowan would be unrestrained. He would definitely think of ways to get close to Ashley. It was as easy as pie for him to find out her information, so he would’ve gotten her address long ago. Ashley didn’t have any part–time work Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates… now, but the semester had yet to start. I was guessing that she’d gone home to relax a little. With that thought in mind, i tumed the car around and drove to Ashley’s neighborhood.