Darnell escorted Areli to Bauhinias Residences and went up to her unit under the pretext of protection.
Areli didn’t drive him away as she had in the past. After he helped carry several bags to the living room, she went to the bathroom to shower.
A woman showering at this time certainly gave the wrong impression, and since Areli hadn’t asked him to leave, Darnell fantasized about scenes from movies. Wondering if this might be a reward for his heroic rescue, he felt his blood began to boil. He waited for Areli to finish her shower while randomly pressing buttons on the remote control.
After nearly half an hour, Areli finally emerged from the bathroom.
She wore a bathrobe. Though it was loose enough, it still couldn’t completely conceal her curvaceous figure. Her sexy shoulders and fair legs were exposed, and her fluffy hair was still dripping with water. Even from five meters away, one could feel the warmth. Areli was toweling her hair, her movements infinitely alluring.
Darnell had thought himself immune to Areli’s charms, but his defenses instantly crumbled as his eyes involuntarily scanned her up and down.
“Am I beautiful?”
Unfazed by Darnell’s burning gaze, Areli stepped closer and did a flirtatious twirl. The loose hem of her bathrobe traced a perfect arc through the air.
The woman was as beautiful as a flower.
Darnell nodded instinctively, licking his lips as he spoke, “Beautiful, beautiful. Miss Fanshaw is truly gorgeous.”
Areli’s smile became even more enchanting. “How do I compare to Abbigail?”
Darnell answered without hesitation, “Miss Fanshaw is one of a kind.”
Only a fool would praise another woman in front of a woman.
“Smart answer.”
Areli’s beamed. The cold queen’s radiance had a unique charm. She complained coquettishly, “If you praise her, I would slap you to death.”
After saying this, she tossed her towel at Darnell, not too hard but not too softly. Darnell didn’t dodge but reached out to catch it.
Holding the damp towel, he instantly breathed in a unique fragrance mixed with the scent of shower gel, making him feel slightly intoxicated.
Seduction! Blatant seduction!
Darnell held the warm towel, his smile turning mischievous. “Miss Fanshaw, is this towel just for your hair, or did you wipe your body with it too?”
Areli’s face instantly flushed. She gave Darnell a glare and said reproachfully, “It’s just for my hair. What are you thinking?”
Darnell wiped his face with the towel.
Areli didn’t mind Darnell using her towel. After drying her hair, she sat down across from him.
She crossed her long, slender legs, then beckoned to Darnell with her elegant fingers and smiled, “Tonight was chaotic, and we didn’t get to enjoy ourselves. Let’s have a drink to calm our nerves.”
“Good idea. I’ll go get it.”
Darnell stood up smiling, went to the bar, and poured two glasses of wine. He handed one to Areli and sat down next to her. “Miss Fanshaw, you seem to be in a good mood tonight.”
Areli didn’t avoid Darnell’s proximity. Instead, she thrust out her chest to attract his gaze. “A close call with a happy ending is worth celebrating, don’t you think?”
As Darnell nodded slightly, Areli softly asked, “By the way, who were those two groups that intercepted us on the road?”
“Those thugs were sent by Lisa and her group.”
Darnell sipped his wine before continuing, “I embarrassed them at the banquet, so they sent people to make trouble for me.”
“Unfortunately for them, they ran into Toby, who came after you. Lisa’s side took a huge loss in this battle.”
“With over thirty injured, it’ll cost them at least several million to settle.”
Areli nodded with a calm smile and rested her head on Darnell’s shoulder. “So that freak is called Toby. That makes sense.”
“But why did you assume he wasn’t after you but was targeting me?”
Darnell answered, “Why would he come after me? We’ve crossed paths before, and he’s never gotten the upper hand. He’d rather never see me again.”
“The reason he targeted you is…”
At this point, Darnell realized his slip and brushed it off.
“You’re too beautiful.”
Darnell added with a grin, “Of course, many people would want to kidnap you.”
“Sweet talker!”
Areli softly added, “I have another question. If he’s so formidable, why didn’t he make a move in the end?”
“If he was after me, might he have been too cowardly?”
Darnell smiled, “It’s not that he’s a coward, but that I’m too powerful. He wasn’t confident he could kill me and worried about the police arriving, so he had to flee.”
“But you should be careful when going out from now on. Though that guy was scared off by me tonight, he might come after you again. Tell your bodyguards to stay alert.”
Areli nodded and took a sip of wine. “Let me ask you one more question. If Abbigail were facing a venomous snake and I were facing Toby, both in a life-or-death situation, and you could only save one of us, who would you choose?”
She raised her delicate face and stared at Darnell. “No evasive answers.”
“If you lie or give a random answer, may you be impotent forever.”
Darnell nearly spat out his wine.
Damn! This question was as difficult as choosing between saving your mother or girlfriend from drowning.
Areli grew slightly angry. “Taking so long to answer? It seems the vixen carries the same weight as me. Otherwise, why would you hesitate?”
Darnell began to sweat. “No, I just didn’t process the question-”
Areli was understanding. “Don’t know how to answer? Want me to ask something else?”
Darnell nodded rapidly.
Areli moved closer like a kitten, her cheek brushing against his, her voice suddenly soft. “Who are you really? Why did you come to Spectrum Pharmaceuticals?”
Then her pretty face turned cold. “If you dare lie, we’re done.”
“My name is Darnell, and I came to protect you…” Darnell held her chin and kissed her.
Almost at the same moment, at the Pasmore family’s villa, on the second-floor master bedroom balcony, Michelle was taking a sip of tea.
Two meters behind her, in the shadows, stood the withered old woman-Caitlin.
“Caitlin, tell me your thoughts on Darnell.”
Michelle’s fingers stroked the teacup, her gaze serene as she said, “Don’t hold back. Say whatever you think.”
Caitlin didn’t move much after hearing this, but her eyes brightened. After pondering for a moment, she slowly uttered, “I can’t see through him.”
As if she had anticipated Caitlin’s answer, Michelle showed no surprise. She took another sip of tea and smiled. “You’re an old hand at this.”
“But even you can’t see through him?”
“He seems flamboyant and carefree but plans each step carefully. His skills are even more incredible.”
Caitlin shared her assessment. “I can judge many people’s skill level at a glance, but with Darnell, I can’t determine his depth.”
“Given his age, demeanor, and style, he seems far from an eighth-class master, but judging by how he caught that venomous snake, it’s as if he’s entered the realm of masters.”
She added, “Madam, this person is difficult to control. He could be a great hidden danger to Miss Cornish.”
Caitlin spoke without reservation, clearly implying that even Michelle lacked the ability to control Darnell.
Michelle smiled gently, “I never thought about controlling him. I’m just unsure whether he’s friend or foe, as it concerns Abbigail’s safety.”
“But from tonight’s incident, he seems to have no ill intentions toward Abbigail.”
“Since he has no ulterior motives, I want to win him over, not for the Pasmore family, but for Abbigail. She has too many enemies.”
“The Pasmore family could previously protect her, helping her survive all dangers.”
“But now there is too much uncertainty. Mr. Rhodes is in poor health, and even Dr. Goodenough is powerless to help. The Pasmore family’s focus must shift to Goldkeep.”
Her gaze suddenly became deep and distant. “As many people who want Mr. Rhodes to live, there are just as many who want him dead.”
“And this nation cannot yet afford to lose him.”
“Indeed. When Mr. Rhodes was in his prime, who would dare cause trouble in Westergold?”
Caitlin’s eyes also showed gravity. “Now that he’s ill, even Whiteville has become unstable.”
“Even the Peel family is getting restless.”