CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 172: HER FIRST KISS PARTNER...

The next morning, Daisy accompanied Tanya to a local film set where they recruited about twenty experienced extras, specifically those with some martial arts skills.

Such individuals are hard to find elsewhere, but at the film set, the applications were overwhelming.

Tanya personally selected them, then rented each one a set of seemingly expensive suits.

"Remember, tonight you’re all playing wealthy people, dining at the restaurant I designate. I’ll cover the costs, and you’ll follow my instructions."

Getting to wear nice clothes, dine in a high-end restaurant, expense covered, plus getting paid — the extras gladly agreed.

Daisy was a bit puzzled, "Tanya, how do you know that old fox Theodore will invite you to that restaurant?"

Tanya wagged a finger in front of Daisy’s face, "Theodore won’t show up tonight. It’s likely going to be Wendy Chester."

She knew Theodore, that hypocrite, too well,

He maintained his image, always ready to retreat unscathed, naturally outsourcing the dirty work.

And no one was better-suited than his own wife.

For years, Mother Hawthorne, Wendy Chester, had both overtly and covertly used her family’s influence to smear Theodore’s competitors.

As for the restaurant...

"When you’re up to no good, of course, you pick your own turf for safety."

The high-end restaurants fully controlled by the Hawthorne Family in Aris amounted to three.

Choosing the most secluded, private one with the worst escape routes was the key.

Daisy listened, getting jittery.

"The whole Hawthorne bunch are heartless animals! You’ve given them so much, and wanting a divorce, they still want you skinned alive!" Daisy said indignantly, then couldn’t help worrying about Tanya’s solitary venture, "Tanya, maybe you shouldn’t go tonight?"

Tanya gazed at the broad expanse of white clouds in the distance, "I could avoid tonight, but what about next time? They won’t leave me alone. Since that’s the case, I’ll let them know, I, Tanya Sinclair, can be their ladder to heaven, or their nightmare!"

...

On her way back to the company, Tanya casually browsed the online news and spotted an article about Vincent.

He left Aris earlier that morning, flying to Kreston City for an event, and wouldn’t be back until the morning after next.

Of all times...

Tanya couldn’t help but sneer.

Any expectations she had about this man had long since vanished.

Outside the window, a plane soared across the sky. Watching it, Tanya suddenly recalled what Declan had once said to her in college.

— "Tanya Sinclair, did you trade your IQ for good looks?"

It was the day she had joyfully announced her official relationship with Vincent, with everyone congratulating her for getting what she wanted.

Except Declan, who woke up from a nap at the back and, annoyed, kicked away the chair blocking his path and walked out the back door.

Tanya didn’t mind then; Declan was unpredictable and seemed particularly to dislike her.

Her happiness always annoyed him.

That night, while she was jogging on the campus track, an empty can flew by her, landing at her feet.

Turning her head, she saw Declan on a bench in the corner, surrounded by empty beer cans.

Back in college, Tanya disliked trouble. She frowned, picked up the can, and tossed it into a nearby bin, but another was tossed her way again.

Declan, holding a bag full of empty cans, continued throwing them at her feet, childishly relentless.

Tanya, typically patient, was finally annoyed to the point of anger.

"Declan, what on earth have I done to you?"

Declan, standing on the steps, already towering over her, bent down to meet her gaze.

His strikingly handsome face, tinged with a hint of intoxicated allure.

He squinted at her.

"Tanya Sinclair, did you trade your IQ for good looks?"

Tanya: "..."

The smell of alcohol emanating from him made her instinctively back off, not wanting to engage with a drunk, yet Declan tugged on the string of her hoodie, pulling her close.

Their noses were almost touching.

Her fists clenched in frustration: "Declan, you..."

The next moment, she froze, eyes wide, as his handsome face closed in, his lips meeting hers in a warm, soft kiss, tinged with a hint of alcohol.

Catching her off-guard, Declan quickly withdrew.

And he actually wiped his mouth first!

Mortified and furious, Tanya slapped him hard without thinking.

"Declan, you’re insane! I never want to see you again!"

Recalling that absurd kiss, Tanya felt Declan was truly out of his mind that night, intoxicated and irrational!

She then belatedly realized that technically, that was her first kiss...

"Tanya, why are you suddenly blushing? Is it too hot in here?" Daisy, having just finished a game, noticed Tanya’s change, kindly opened the window for her.

"A bit warm." Tanya took the opportunity, fanning her cheeks with her hands, eyes a bit evasive.

But Declan probably didn’t remember; after all, he was indeed very drunk that night.

The next day, Declan showed up in class as usual, no sign of guilt for the stolen kiss, and still refused to submit her group assignment...

Daisy dropped Tanya off at the company entrance and hurriedly left to meet her agent.

She and Tanya agreed to stay in contact; if she didn’t receive Tanya’s call for checking in by a certain time, she’d call the police!

Of course, Tanya didn’t want Daisy tangled in her issues with the Hawthorne Family. Daisy had spent ten years, nearly clearing the debt left by Father Bell.

She couldn’t let Daisy be troubled at such a crucial moment.

Tonight, she was determined to keep herself safe.

Tanya turned and entered the company, pulled out her phone, and sent a message to Zion Monroe...

As closing time approached, Tanya gathered her things, exited the company, and a black business car pulled up beside her.

Behind the wheel wasn’t a stranger, but Butler Langdon from the Hawthorne Family.

"Ma’am, please get in the car." Butler Langdon surprisingly flashed a smile, seeming respectful to anyone unaware of the situation.

Tanya feigned caution, "Why are you picking me up? Where’s Uncle Hawthorne?"

"The master instructed me to fetch you."

Tanya wasn’t convinced, "I want to call him."

In front of Butler Langdon, Tanya called Theodore Hawthorne, pretending that he was the only person in the Hawthorne Family she trusted.

Theodore quickly answered.

"Tanya."

"Uncle, did you arrange for Butler Langdon to pick me up?"

"Yes, I intended to send a driver, but he had a family emergency, so I asked Butler Langdon to step in. I’m on my way to the restaurant now; come on over."

"Alright."

After confirming, Tanya put away her phone and got into the car.

Butler Langdon glanced at her coldly from the rearview mirror, but when Tanya looked up, he immediately plastered on a smile.

"Ma’am, is the air conditioning alright? Sit tight, we’ll head to the restaurant now!"

Elsewhere, at The Empyrean Hotel owned by the Hawthorne Family.

Mother Hawthorne and Yvonne Hawthorne were already in a private room.

Soon, several tall, muscular men entered.

These were the men Mother Hawthorne specially hired.

Mother Hawthorne asked, "Did you make sure that when you arrived, both guests and staff saw you?"

"You can trust us, Mrs. Hawthorne," said the lead man with a sleazy smile, rubbing his hands, "Getting paid and having a chance to sleep with a rich lady — remember our group for future gigs like this, Mrs. Hawthorne!"

Mother Hawthorne coldly warned, "I’m telling you, after tonight’s done, take your money and vanish from Aris! If you dare cause any trouble..."

"Rest assured, Mrs. Hawthorne." The man had no desire for complications. They had been in prison, freshly released.

With a criminal record making job hunting difficult, they were living off black market gigs.

For a million, to spend one night with a woman and then vanish — it was an offer they gladly took!

Mother Hawthorne took out a photo of Tanya, tossed it on the table.

"Take a good look; this is the woman you’ll be spending the night with!"