"Sure."
This response caught Shalma Hughes off guard. For a moment, she genuinely wondered if she should pull out her phone and snap a commemorative photo. But after a second thought, she decided against it. They were already strangers on separate paths now. What was the point of taking a picture? Why actively look for things to upset herself? She was capable of many things, but making her own life miserable wasn't one of them.
"Never mind! How could I just casually snap photos of Mr. Winslow?" Shalma said with a laugh, turning her head to look out the window. "Where is Mr. Winslow taking me? We're heading toward the outskirts of Eldoria, aren't we?"
"Taking you somewhere," Julian Winslow replied, his voice deep and steady.
"To see whom? Oh my! Mr. Winslow, you wouldn't happen to be taking me to meet your parents, would you? I'm not ready for that at all. Just look at my outfit today—it's completely out of style." Shalma continued to joke, though her brows were tightly furrowed. She had really miscalculated. She shouldn't have gotten into the car earlier; she should have slipped away immediately.
Julian Winslow sat in the driver's seat, his expression hidden from view. As Shalma glanced over, all she could see were his fluid, effortless movements as he drove and his long, well-defined fingers resting on the steering wheel. It was a sight so captivating that one couldn't bear to look away.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Do you really want to meet my parents?"
"Ah, what?" Shalma was dazed for a moment and hadn't heard him clearly.
"Nothing," Julian Winslow said.
Shalma curled her lip. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with a delicate, dewy light, making her look incredibly alluring, but she didn't press the issue. She cast her gaze toward the passing scenery. Then, she realized that this road was far too familiar—so familiar that she wanted to jump out of the moving car! Wasn't this the road to Miss Laura's place? Could it be...
Shortly after, the car pulled up and stopped in front of a villa that was minimalist yet undeniably luxurious.
Julian Winslow opened his door and stepped out of the car.
SLAM!
The sound of the car door violently shutting almost jolted Shalma's internal organs right out of her body. Just as she was hesitating over whether to get out or not, the door next to her swung open.
Julian Winslow stood there, a faint smile playing on his handsome face. Shalma looked up at him, an awkward smile plastered on her own.
"Mr. Winslow! I actually have a flight to Aethelgard this afternoon, so I think I'd better get going! After all, I still have work waiting for me in Aethelgard, right?" Subconsciously, Shalma tightened her grip on the backpack resting in her lap. Her eyes carried a pitiful, helpless look that would leave any man defenseless.
Julian Winslow raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the car door. "Shalma, don't you think that's a rather far-fetched excuse?"
"Is it? I don't think so," Shalma replied with a sheepish smile.
"I suggest you step out of the car yourself. Of course, I wouldn't mind carrying you inside over my shoulder," Julian Winslow said, his voice calm, though his face bore a gentle and genial smile.
Shalma stared at him blankly. She knew he was entirely capable of doing exactly that.
Julian Winslow had always given off the impression of being as gentle as a spring breeze, but Shalma knew exactly how cold his heart truly was. She knew how ruthless his methods were and how domineering his personality could be. He was simply a wild wolf dressed in sheep's clothing.
After steadying her nerves, Shalma hugged her bag to her chest and stepped out of the vehicle. As she got out, she stumbled and nearly fell. Fortunately, a strong arm immediately wrapped around her, catching her in a firm embrace.
Shalma suddenly felt the back of her ears burn. She broke free from his hold. "Thank you!"
Julian Winslow's gaze darkened slightly. "Shalma, you seem a bit different today."
"Mr. Winslow, you say that as if we're very well-acquainted," Shalma said with a laugh.
He retorted, "We've slept together. Does that not count as being well-acquainted?"
Was this man flirting with her? After they had already firmly ended their relationship? However, she had no time to worry about that now. What she had to face next was her biggest problem. The person Julian Winslow had brought her to see was actually Miss Laura! She had never known that Miss Laura was acquainted with the Winslow family.
While Shalma was still trying to figure out how to handle the situation, a voice that she couldn't be more familiar with rang out.