The crowd was in an uproar. Tia directly smashed through the glass, and Darnell took off running.
He darted into an elevator and quickly descended to the ground floor, just in time to see Areli hang up the phone and start the car.
He hurried over, opened the passenger door, and sat down.
Areli spoke calmly, “Why are you so slow?”
Darnell chuckled, “He realized his mistake and was grateful for my reprimand. He insisted I stay for a meal and even wanted to assign me a female bodyguard. It took me a while to get away.”
As he finished speaking, Darnell fastened his seatbelt. “Let’s go, Miss Fanshaw.”
Areli snorted noncommittally. She didn’t believe Darnell’s explanation at all. She stepped on the gas and drove away from the building.
“If he had beaten you up, I might believe it. Inviting you to dinner? Do you think I’m a fool?”
Darnell sighed softly, “What if I told you I gave them a good beating? Would you believe that?”
He glanced back and saw Tia rushing out of the building. Seeing her furious face, Darnell knew more trouble was coming.
Areli couldn’t be bothered to respond. With so many bodyguards on the spot, there was no way Darnell could have fought them off and escaped. Besides, David had hired Tia, a top-notch bodyguard known for her fighting skills.
Areli had seen Tia in action at a party where she took down five men who were harassing her. If David hadn’t intervened, they would have been seriously injured.
How could Darnell possibly win against someone like that?
Seeing that Areli didn’t respond, Darnell curiously leaned over. “Miss Fanshaw, that guy seems to have some history with you.”
“But judging by your reaction, you don’t like him at all. Is there a story behind this?”
“I put in quite an effort tonight. At least let me know who we’re dealing with.”
“Otherwise, if he comes after me, I’m doomed. After all, I’m just a nobody without money or connections.”
“You know you’re my only support.”
Areli glanced at Darnell, initially wanting to ignore him, then decided to give him a heads-up about David’s background.
Though she found him annoying, she didn’t want him getting into trouble because of her. “His name is David Kemp, son of the director of the Commerce Department and CEO of Mega Trader.”
“He’s a relentless suitor of mine.”
Darnell exclaimed, “So there is something between you two!”
“Watch your words.”
Areli coldly retorted, “We met at a social event. He has pursued me for three months since then, but I never accepted his advances.”
“I told him not to waste his time, but he wouldn’t listen. He sent flowers every day and kept asking me out for meals, claiming he’d love me forever.”
“Then one day, I caught him going to a hotel with someone else.”
“I don’t care who he sleeps with. It’s his hypocrisy that disgusts me.”
“So I mocked him a bit. He thought I was jealous and became even more persistent.”
“Today, he called me again, asking to meet one last time to explain himself, and promised not to bother me anymore.”
At a red light intersection, Areli looked ahead. “That’s why I brought you along.”
She vented her frustration. David was like sticky tape she couldn’t shake off. She regretted ever meeting him.
“Tsk, not only is he shameless but also unreasonable, a real scumbag,” Darnell echoed her criticism before changing the subject. “Miss Fanshaw, you’re not entirely blameless either.”
“I thought you genuinely invited me for dinner. Turns out I was just a pawn.”
“Luckily, I’m quick on my feet. Otherwise, I’d be beaten up by now.”
“You broke my heart. Feel my heartbeat if you don’t believe me. You have to make it up to me.”
Areli glared at Darnell. “Darnell, you’re no better than him.”
“Bringing you tonight wasn’t just about dinner. I have to make sure things won’t get out of hand.”
“And as expected, you didn’t disappoint me. While it was unfair of me to use you like that, I had no choice, but I’ll make it up to you.”
Darnell’s eyes lit up. “Really? If you offer yourself as compensation, I won’t refuse.”
“Don’t expect anything decent from your mouth,” Areli snapped before warning him sternly,
“Be careful around David. He’s well-connected and has powerful allies like Tia by his side.”
“You made quite a commotion today. He’ll hold a grudge for sure. While he won’t dare pick on you openly because of me, he might try something underhanded.”
“Avoid him whenever possible. You’re no match for him in a direct confrontation.”
“Oh no! I’ve provoked someone powerful,” Darnell exclaimed dramatically before grabbing Areli’s hand tightly.
“Miss Fanshaw, you have to protect me! I don’t want to die before I get laid with you…”
Areli flung his hand away forcefully. “Now I wish David had broken your hand.”
“No way! If my hand’s broken, who’ll handle your daily tasks?” Darnell replied as he tucked his hand into his pocket.
Seeing Areli’s annoyed expression, he added quickly, “How can I be your assistant without hands?”
Areli coldly responded, “Just show up on time and comply with the company policy. You’ll be fine.”
“Alright then,” Darnell agreed weakly before adding,
“You promised dinner tonight but we ended up nearly getting beaten up instead. You owe me for that too.”
“You did well tonight. I’ll take you to Moonlight Lounge,” Areli said as she turned onto a side road.
“It’s my way of making it up to you.”
After a rough day, especially with the pressure from the lab, Areli wanted to unwind with some drinks at the bar.
She initially planned to drop Darnell off at the next intersection, but decided against it, since going alone might attract unwanted attention.
Having Darnell around could fend off some troublemakers and let her drink in peace.
Besides, she genuinely intended to make amends with him.
Upon hearing this, Darnell whistled excitedly, his eyes gleaming.
“A night out? A bar? Great! I love nightlife. I can drink and maybe even pick up some ladies!”
Areli’s gaze turned cold, threatening,
“Darnell, behave yourself or get out at the next stop!”
Darnell sighed dramatically,
“What a boring woman.”
Areli ignored him, stepping on the gas pedal.
Darnell yelped as he fell back into his seat, clutching his seatbelt while wondering if David would seek revenge.
If he did show up at No. 8 Grandeur Plaza and got beaten up by the fierce landlady, should he call him an ambulance out of respect for Areli?
At 8:30 PM, Areli and Darnell arrived at Moonlight Lounge.
The bar was always bustling, a place where men and women indulged their passions.
As one of Whiteville’s famous nightspots, Moonlight Lounge was packed with people even before they entered, with booming music echoing outside.
A sign advertising Ladies’ Night further stirred desires.
Areli shouted over the noise,
“Stick close to me. This place is full of all kinds of people.”
Darnell blinked innocently.
“Miss Fanshaw, you’re so good to me. If you want me to offer myself, I’ll gladly do as you say.”
He seemed sincere, ready to give himself to his benefactor.
Areli’s face turned cold. “Scram.”
Darnell eagerly entered the bar, shaking his head as he looked around, noticing how crowded it was with hardly any empty seats.
The pulsating music filled the air, along with the smell of alcohol and smoke, the volume so high it almost deafened people.
Men and women were wildly dancing in the pit, swaying their hips and bodies passionately.
Glamorous women mingled among men, teasing them with flirtatious words.
Darnell followed Areli to the bar counter, glancing back at the wild crowd in amazement.
“What a place!”
Then he turned to Areli and asked,
“Miss Fanshaw, what should I do if beautiful women come hitting on me later?”
“Don’t worry. You won’t have that problem.”
Areli ordered snacks from the bartender while eyeing Darnell, and said mockingly, “With that look, no woman will approach you.”
In a red shirt, shorts, and worn sneakers, he looked like a ragpicker who only got into the bar thanks to Areli’s presence.
Attracting women would be out of the question.
“Two Old Flames, please.”
Areli snapped her fingers at the bartender before adding,
“And make them strong.”
The young bartender smiled back,
“Got it, Miss Fanshaw.”
He skillfully started mixing drinks while occasionally casting disdainful glances at Darnell, assuming he was just another boy toy living off someone else’s money.
Darnell didn’t care about what kind of drink it was.
He kept stuffing food into his mouth while winking at passing women, though none paid attention to him.
Some even giggled behind their hands at his outfit.
Areli shook her head dismissively when suddenly Darnell reached into his pocket.
Fearing he’d pull out something inappropriate like a carrot again, she watched nervously as he slammed down a stack of cash instead.
Though no beauties came over immediately, the gesture caught several people’s attention.
Areli glanced at it disdainfully.
“A few hundred dollars? You think that’ll impress them? You’re too naive.”
Despite her aloof demeanor, she understood social realities well enough.
She pointed at the crumpled bills and reminded him,
“Put those away before embarrassing yourself further.”
The next second, Darnell placed down a BMW ‘s car keys.
Several eyes lit up.
Another set, Maserati!
As Areli showed slight surprise, more women approached. With another slap, he produced Ferrari’s car keys!
More eyes gleamed.
Darnell didn’t stop.
Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, and Cadillac!
When Darnell laid down three more sets of keys, Areli’s astonishment grew.
How could this man afford so many luxury cars?
The scent of perfume wafted over.
Several sexy women giggled as they approached, flirting with Darnell as they said,
“Hello, hottie, will you buy me a drink?”
Another woman leaned closer, softly asking:
“Handsome, care for a dance?”
Seeing so many women around Darnell, Areli felt inexplicably uncomfortable but said nothing.
Darnell grinned, surrounded by women, and looked at Areli triumphantly.
“You must be disappointed, right?”