bChapter /bb323 /b

    Yosef pinned Skr firmly between his arms, his voice low and possessive. “Skr, you still haven’t told me. What exactly

    is your rtionship with that guy?”

    Skr snapped, “Who are you to…”

    “Don’t let your emotions get the better of you,” Yosef warned, his voice dripping with menace.

    Skr frowned and muttered, “Never mind, I was framed.”

    “So that’s how it was!” Yosef realized.

    Yosef smiled, gentle as a spring breeze. “Do you need me to handle it for you, Skr?”

    “There’s no need. I’ve already got it under control. If things go smoothly, I should have an answer by today.”

    Yosef nodded and pulled himself away from her. Then, he said, “I’ll drive you to work.”

    Skr retorted, “I don’t need you to drive me to work!”

    Yosef red at her seriously. “Skr, there’s something you must understand.”

    Skr remained wearing a look of outright refusal. ‘I don’t want to understand any of your thoughts!‘ Skr thought, stubbornly refusing to face him.

    Yosef looked at Skr with a confident smile. “I’m courting you right now, Skr. Shouldn’t you give your suitor a chance to prove himself?”

    Skr scoffed and shot back, “Since when is a suitor as pushy as you?”

    Yosef grinned. “Well, here’s one pushy suitor for you!”

    It finally dawned on him. It dawned on him that his approach had been too gentle. That was the reason things between

    them had stalled.

    ‘Maybe I should try a different approach,’ Yosef thought. ‘It might piss her off, but damn if it doesn’t work like a charm.

    Just like what happened a moment ago. One dominant kiss was all it took. Skr was left utterly defenseless, and her attitude softened instantly.

    Skr clenched her teeth, unable to fight back. All she could manage were a couple of frustrated grunts bto /bvoice her

    displeasure.

    Before Skr could get out of the carb, /bYosef tapped her cheek with a yful grin and said, “Skr, aren’t you bforgetting /bbmy /bthank–you kiss?”

    Skr ignored him and yanked at the car door handle, ready to bolt. But no matter bhow /bbhard Skr /bbtried/bb, /bbthe /bbdoor /bwouldn’t budge. “Yosef, unlock the door. Now.”

    Putting on an innocent face, Yosef said, “Ohb, /blooks like I bcan’t /bbopen /bbit /bbeither/bb. /bbGuess /bbwe’ll /bbhave /bbto /bbwait /bbhere /bbwhile /bI bcall /bba /b

    b1/3 /b

    mechanic to get us out.”

    Thest thing Skr wanted was to be stuck alone with Yosef. She hesitated for a split second, then nted a quick, perfunctory peck on Yosef’s cheek. “There. Happy now?”

    Yosef pressed the unlock button, and the car’s handles blinked twice. Skr flung the car door open and mmed it shut with all her might, venting her frustration.

    As Skr walked through the office, her assistant stood up to brief her and immediately noticed something unusual about her lips. Karrie looked puzzled and asked, “Ms. Lambert, your lips look so swollen and red. Is it an allergic reaction?”

    Skr’s fingers brushed against her lips as memories of that morning’s encounter with Yosef came rushing back.

    Skr squeezed her eyes shut, only to feel her smoldering anger re up even hotter. ‘Damn you, Yosef! Next time, I’ll make sure you experience that same humiliating public embarrassment!‘ Skr was determined.

    She squeezed her words out through clenched teeth, “Yeah, allergies.”

    “Ms. Lambert, that looks quite severe. Should I go get you some anti–allergy pills?”

    Skr shook her head. “No, I’ve already taken care of it.”

    “If you say so.”

    “So, what did you need to discuss with me again?”

    “Ms. Lambert, the police have an update on the case,” Karrie suddenly remembered.

    Skr stepped into the office with Karrie behind her. As soon as Skr took her seat, Karrie promptly handed her the phone.

    The police had technical experts recover the surveince footage, which confirmed it wasn’t Skr entering or leaving the hotel with Jamar during that period.

    “Jamar has been summoned by the police and is believed to be the prime suspect at the moment. Ourwyer will keep us updated,” Karrie exined.

    Skr nced at the phone and handed it back to her. “Good work.”

    “Thank you. It’s my pleasure.” After updating Skr, Karrie confirmed the meeting time and then asked, “Will you be attending the business dinner this evening?

    Skr thought for a moment. “Might as well go to the business dinner. It’s not like I have anything else to do anyway.”

    ‘The main thing is, Yosef said he’d pick me up after work tonight. So this business dinner is the perfect excuse bto /bbdodge /bhim,‘ Skr thought to herself.

    15:48 Tue, b26 /bbAug /bA·