CHAPTER 77: CAREFUL PLAN

Theo frowned, his tone deepening. "You don’t really know what the word kink means, do you?"

"I do!" Daisy shot back, crossing her arms proudly.

But in the blink of an eye, Theo’s expression changed completely. His eyes lit up. "I found it. I think I found it."

"Found what?" Daisy blinked, confused. "Did you see something?"

"I mean how you pulled me back," Theo said, his smile widening.

"Don’t tell me..." Daisy narrowed her eyes. "You mean when you rested your head on my shoulder?"

"No." He shook his head slowly, savoring the moment. "The moment my lips brushed over your neck."

Daisy stood up like she’d just touched a live wire. Her face was blank for a second, then filled with disbelief. "That’s ridiculous! You’re saying that kind of skin ship is what made you snap out of Elias’ mode?"

Theo blinked, still crouched. "You’re reacting awfully strongly."

"I’m not!" she snapped, then crossed her arms tighter. "I just... it’s a weird place, okay? I’m sensitive there, that’s all."

He slowly rose to his feet, not mocking but thoughtful now. "Sensitive as in... ticklish?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Don’t make this a thing."

"I’m not," he said quickly, serious again. "I mean it. Maybe it wasn’t about the spot... it could’ve been the moment. The calm. The contact."

Daisy scoffed, trying to regain control of the conversation. "Right. Let’s just say you reboot like a phone when you tap my neck. Sure."

Theo let out a quiet laugh. "Could be worse."

She turned away, grumbling, "You need a reset button in a less awkward place."

"Noted," he replied, then paused, more gently, "But thank you... for pulling me back. However it happened."

Daisy didn’t respond right away. She fiddled with the hem of her sleeve, pretending to examine it like it held the secrets of the universe.

"Don’t get used to it," she muttered finally, barely above a whisper.

Theo tilted his head. "Used to what?"

"To me... pulling you back," she said, her voice sharper now, covering the softness from before. "Next time, you better switch by yourself."

He grinned. "How can I do that?"

"Then try not losing yourself in the first place."

His smile didn’t fade. "But it’s kind of nice... knowing someone’s there when I do."

"How do you know that I will always be there for you?" Daisy asked, her voice quieter now, laced with something uncertain.

Theo didn’t answer immediately. He looked at her for a beat longer than usual, as if he was deciding how honest he was allowed to be.

"I don’t," he said simply. "I don’t know if you’ll stay... or if you’ll give up on me one day."

She blinked, caught off guard by the honesty.

"But when I was lost," he added, "you didn’t run. You pulled me back. That’s... already more than most."

Daisy looked away, arms folding tightly across her chest. "Well... don’t read too much into it. I just don’t want to lose my bank." She rolled her eyes.

"Ah... speaking of that..." Theo suddenly turned and strode over to the dresser, rummaging through it. "Here," he said, pulling something out. "A new one. From your husband."

He held up a black card between his fingers, letting it dangle in the air.

Daisy stared. "Why?"

He gave a half-smile. "Your husband. Your bank."

She didn’t move. Just stood there, lips pressed together.

"Take it," he said, stepping closer and gently reaching for her hand. "Unlimited. Buy whatever you want. Just... not a car."

She raised an eyebrow. "Not enough funds?"

He leaned in, smirking. "Plenty of funds. Just not enough faith in your driving skills."

She smiled, though her lips were slightly crumpled, trying to hold back the embarrassment. "Can I ask something?"

He hummed, tilting his head. "Hmm?"

"Since we started this as a contract—"

"Contract, did we?" he cut in, frowning, almost offended.

"I didn’t know you were so good at acting," she said, her voice quieter now. "Can you slow down, please? My brain’s still struggling to keep up with... this new you."

Daisy sighed, eyes dropping for a second, unsure whether she was joking or trying not to say too much.

Theo watched her carefully, his expression changing to something more calm and calculated. "Is it... too much? I mean, my feelings..."

"Hmm," she murmured, barely above a whisper. "Even though I tried to act normal, your confession earlier... it felt a bit... heavy." She bit her lip, eyes flicking away.

"I didn’t tell you how I feel to make it a burden," he said gently. "I just wanted you to know that from now on, I’ll be serious about pursuing you. So... it’s okay if, at this moment, you don’t feel the same."

"So, I can reject you?" She went straight forward.

"Do you plan to reject me?"

She didn’t respond right away. The room felt too still, like even the air was holding its breath.

How could she explain? This whole mess wasn’t meant to go this far. She came here with one mission. And getting him to fall in love with her this fast? Totally unpredictable.

Daisy forced a smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Can you give me some time to think?" she said, each word carefully chosen.

Theo studied her for a beat too long, as if trying to read the space between her words. Then he nodded. "Take all the time you need. I’ll wait."

She gave him a small nod, "Hmm..." she paused and scoffed, "I suddenly felt awkward."

"You’re not rejecting me yet, why the awkwardness?"

Daisy turned her gaze toward him, eyes unreadable. Then, shaking her head, she said, "I don’t know, maybe guilty?" She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

"It’s okay," Theo replied softly. "I’ll wait until you’re willing to accept my feelings." He reached for her hands, gently wrapping his fingers around hers.

But Daisy didn’t squeeze back. Her eyes lingered on their joined hands.

’It would be better,’ she thought silently, ’if you were still the cold, emotionless man I first met... so I wouldn’t feel this bad now.’

Her throat tightened.

Because finding the truth—who sabotaged her father’s company, who destroyed everything he built, that was the real reason she was here.

And the man standing in front of her now, he might be connected to it.

She couldn’t afford to forget that.

Not when this was all supposed to lead to one thing.

Revenge.