This was Quiana Sutton's first time meeting Evelyn Windsor; she indeed resembled a lady from an ancient painting, serene and graceful. A slight movement seemed to make the ancient painting come to life. Unfortunately, standing beside her was Durrell Landon, a man dazzling enough to captivate the world. Evelyn Windsor was completely overshadowed, and when it came to looks, the two didn't quite complement each other.
Quiana Sutton withdrew her gaze and glanced at Alexander Skylane, who seemed a bit dejected next to her, and spoke casually:
"Are you planning to go somewhere else afterward or just heading back to the hotel?"
Having failed to acquire the Star of Mihai, Alexander Skylane had long lost interest and didn't want to go anywhere else.
"Let's go back to the hotel."
She naturally had no objections.
As Quiana Sutton brushed past, Durrell Landon glanced at her, but she didn't even spare him a glance.
She could smile around other men, but when facing him, she was cold, only asking when they would divorce.
For the first time, he had an urge to destroy everything.
Evelyn Windsor noticed that Durrell Landon kept staring at Quiana Sutton's back, and an inexplicable hostility arose within her: "Durrell, do you know that lady?"
Durrell Landon came back to his senses, not answering directly, just giving her a faint look:
"Weren't you just saying you'd treat? Let's go, then."
Since returning to the country, this was Durrell Landon's first acceptance of her invitation, and Evelyn Windsor was overjoyed, thinking he was ready to forgive her, immediately forgetting about Quiana Sutton.
Between Clouds and Waters.
A famous private dining restaurant in Capital City.
Evelyn Windsor deliberately ordered several light dishes. After ordering, she glanced at Durrell Landon sitting across from her, though she could remain composed in front of everyone else. She had to admit her heart was pounding fiercely facing Durrell Landon.
"Durrell, do you remember? We often used to come to this private dining restaurant."
Durrell Landon was somewhat absent-minded, his thoughts had long drifted away with Quiana Sutton's silhouette, only coming back when Evelyn Windsor called out to him several times.
"Sorry, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be staying. I didn't attend your welcoming banquet last time, consider this meal on me."
After speaking, he stood up, ready to leave.
Evelyn Windsor, seeing this, also stood up and stepped forward to block Durrell Landon.
"Durrell… wait…"
"You don't even want to spend the time for a meal with me now?"
Durrell Landon was displeased that Evelyn Windsor blocked him.
"You're the eldest miss of Windsor Estate, don't do anything unbecoming."
The word "unbecoming" suddenly sobered Evelyn Windsor.
She wondered when she began behaving like other women, clinging to a man.
Her pride wouldn't allow her to do so.
Thus, she watched Durrell Landon leave the private room.
Returning to her seat, she looked at the three people in front of her and asked unwillingly:
"Does Durrell have someone he likes?"
Charles Foote and Julian Haworth remained silent; Oliver Gale chuckled slightly and replied ambiguously.
"Who knows?"
Durrell Landon sat in the car, unbuttoning a few buttons of his shirt, still feeling incredibly irritated.
Though he didn't want to, he still did.
He pinpointed Quiana Sutton's location.
Seeing the coordinates show The Imperial Garden Hotel, his gaze changed abruptly, and he hit the accelerator and drove away.
Quiana Sutton had just finished showering and stepped out of the bathroom when she heard a knock at the door. She thought it was Alexander Skylane, so she opened the door, not expecting Durrell Landon to be standing there.
She prided herself on understanding Durrell Landon, but his unexpected arrival left her somewhat baffled, "Why are you here?"
Durrell Landon lowered his gaze, seemingly to see through her.
"Not going to invite me in? Or do you have a lover hidden inside?"
Quiana Sutton: "…"
His accusatory demeanor was unfamiliar, yet she didn't stop him, allowing him into the room, watching him move inside with seeming indifference but not missing a corner as if truly searching for something. Amused, she spoke:
"The way you're acting makes me think you're jealous."
Durrell Landon didn't confirm or deny it, replied hoarsely: "If you think I'm jealous, then that's what it is."
Quiana Sutton naturally wouldn't take it seriously, sitting on the soft seat beside, pouring herself a cup of water, drank it leisurely, and then spoke with ease:
"Jealousy implies liking someone. So, do you mean to say you like me?"
Durrell Landon, having searched thoroughly and confirming there was no one else inside, walked toward Quiana Sutton step by step.
Bending down, he placed his hands on either side of her as if confining her, not allowing escape.
Looking down at her, due to the recent shower, steam still rose from her body; her porcelain skin looked cold even in gentle light, pure and unstained, yet he felt a visceral urge to mar it with a bloody imprint.
"If I say maybe I really like you?"
Upon hearing Durrell Landon's words, Quiana Sutton's faint smile disappeared without a trace.
"Then here's some advice: never fall for me, because I will never be able to love you."
Durrell Landon's gaze held her face:
"You won't love me, who do you like? Alexander Skylane?"
She chuckled; she wouldn't like anyone.
The word 'like' never suited her. After her father and brother passed away, she knew she could never own the word 'like' in this lifetime.
If she truly liked someone, it meant having a weakness, and when that weakness betrayed you, you'd fall into a deep abyss, never to return.
So she wouldn't easily fall in love, precisely because she didn't easily fall in love, she agreed to play this game with him back then.
Now that the game had taken an unexpected turn, it was time to correct it before it completely derailed.
She raised her head, looked at him earnestly: "He's not like you."
Upon hearing this, Durrell Landon's expression altered, "How am I different from him?"
"Whether a friend or lover, he will never betray me."
"You trust him so much?"
"Certainly!"
Durrell Landon never imagined such a day, where anger would overcome all his rationality.
In Quiana Sutton's mind, he was not as good as Alexander Skylane.
Thinking of this fact, without second thought, he lowered his head to cover her lips.
There was no affection to speak of, only punishment. Quiana Sutton gasped and tasted a hint of blood.
Her eyes widened. It wasn't Durrell Landon's first time kissing her, yet it was the first that felt uncontrollable.
The taste of blood intermingling in their mouths felt like a poison burning into her bones, leaving nowhere to flee, only indulgence in surrender.
At this moment, Alexander Skylane's voice came from outside:
"Cece, are you in the room?"
Upon hearing Alexander Skylane's voice, Quiana Sutton immediately came to her senses, hastily pushing Durrell Landon aside, composed herself, and dragged him towards the wardrobe.
"Quickly, hide."
Durrell Landon was very displeased, "I'm not a lover hiding illicitly; why should I hide in the wardrobe."