He reached out with his broad hand, the cuff of his expensive watch glinting under the streetlight, and gently cupped her delicate face."What's wrong? Not feeling well?"
Celia instinctively leaned into his palm like a kitten seeking warmth."Just… a little tired."
"Tired from last night?" Nathaniel Fu's tone carried a teasing edge.
Her cheeks flushed as she shot him a sharp look.He chuckled low in his chest. "Want to come closer?"
Obediently, Celia leaned against him, resting her small head on his strong shoulder.
The light ahead turned red. Nathaniel stopped the car, lowered his head, and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Celia's lashes fluttered, her body trembling at his tenderness. That soft, lingering kiss seemed to melt all her fatigue. Her eyes shimmered as she gazed up at him, like a cat with wet, glistening eyes.
Without warning, his lips claimed hers.
They kissed in the middle of the street while the light was still red.
Beep!A car horn blared from behind just as the light turned green. Nathaniel released her reluctantly and stepped on the accelerator. "We'll head back to the office. I'll have the chef prepare something for you."
Her face burned crimson. "Mm."
Just then, her phone rang through the car's Bluetooth system. A familiar name flashed across the screen—Rosalie Su.
Celia's heart tightened. She sat up quickly, withdrawing from his warmth.
Nathaniel's brow furrowed. He answered the call with an indifferent tone."Hello?"
"President Fu~" Rosalie's soft, coy voice chimed through the speakers, piercing Celia's ears.
Nathaniel shot a glance at Celia, then asked coolly, "What is it?"
"I've moved out of the Su household," Rosalie said pitifully. "Right now, I don't have anywhere to go… Could I stay at your place for a few days?"
His expression didn't waver. "I'll call you back later."He ended the call without hesitation.
"Mr. Fu, maybe you should handle Rosalie's situation first," Celia murmured, her tone calm.
A half-smile tugged at his lips. "And how do you suggest I handle it?"
"It's simple. She might want a house—since you have so many, you could give her a villa. Or… maybe she just wants your company tonight, in which case…"
Her words trailed off as his cold gaze cut toward her.
"You're generous," he drawled. "Handing out my houses like that."
Celia turned to the window, her lips pressing into a thin line. The warmth between them vanished, replaced by a suffocating silence.
After a long pause, his voice dropped lower, edged with steel."Do you really want me to accompany someone else tonight?"
Her fingers curled in her lap."That's Mr. Fu's choice. I have no objection."
The air in the car grew icy. A mocking smile curved his lips."So eager to push me toward another woman? Fine. Why don't you get out right here, and I'll go keep someone else company?"
Celia didn't hesitate. "Okay."
The screech of sudden brakes split the night as Nathaniel pulled the car to the side of the road. His jaw tightened, and the two clipped words rolled off his tongue like a command:"Get out."
Without looking back, Celia opened the passenger door and stepped into the night.
Nathaniel remained in the driver's seat, the dim glow of the streetlight casting sharp shadows across his chiseled features. His hands gripped the steering wheel, veins standing out beneath taut skin. His expression was as dark as a storm—cold, unreadable, and dangerous.
Without looking back, Celia opened the passenger door and stepped into the night.
The summer air rushed against her face, cool yet stifling. She clenched her fingers tightly around her bag strap, forcing herself not to turn back. Each step away from the car felt heavier, as though she were dragging her heart along the asphalt.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Part of her wanted to cry, but another part of her—stubborn and proud—refused to shed a single tear for him.
"He wants me gone? Fine," she whispered under her breath, her lips trembling. "I'll go."
Yet the faint scent of his cologne still lingered on her skin, mocking her resolve with every breath.
Behind her, Nathaniel's car remained idling by the curb. Though she didn't dare look back, she could feel his eyes burning into her back like a storm ready to break.
She bit her lip hard, tasting the faint tang of blood, and quickened her pace into the darkness—away from the man whose warmth she both longed for and feared.
Inside the car, Nathaniel's knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel, veins bulging against his skin. The flickering streetlight carved sharp shadows across his face. His eyes narrowed, dangerously cold, yet beneath the fury there was a trace of something else—something he refused to name.