Chapter 118
A sharp, cold glint flickered in Tobias’ eyes.
His thin lips curved slightly. “That’s all p>
Just one selfish thought from her, one reckless whim, and it nearly got his Lissy killed.
His usual calm, handsome features tightened up, the chill in his expression cutting like a blade. The air around him seemed to snap to life, the pressure in the room dropping as his commanding presence took over.
Elliot nodded quickly. “Got it p>
The boss might enjoy playing those business games, but the golden rule was simple-don’t mess with Mrs. Hastings. Ever.
Or you’d end up like Integrity Commerce. Scorched earth.
Bryce finally relaxed a bit after watching Tobias react so fiercely. His sharp gaze softened, and he turned to ask, “Where to next p>
“Harvest Fields p>
“Alright p>
Bryce gave a few instructions to his people before heading out with Tobias and Lisette.
At Harvest Fields,
Clyde was on the verge of losing it with the makeup artist.
How could the result look this far off from the photo he gave them? In the picture, he looked like some dreamy, poetic scholar. What he saw in the mirror? Definitely not that. He kept frowning, pacing a bit as he scanned his reflection.
With an irritated expression, he pointed things out one by one. “Here-give me a sharper nose bridge p>
“And pull the jawline in more p>
“I told you to copy the picture exactly. Why does it look like this p>
The poor makeup artist fought the urge to roll her eyes, smiling with obvious strain. “I’ll deepen the shading a bit more then p>
Clyde rushed her, “Yeah, hurry. And touch up here, too. Make sure it matches that photo-exactly p>
She silently begged the heavens for patience. Come on, she was a makeup artist, not a wizard. How was she supposed to make him look like a heavily edited selfie from social media?
Still, she forced a smile and started slapping more shading on his face like her life depended on it, trying her best to make that square jaw disappear.
Even after all that effort, Clyde squinted at himself again. “Is this too much? Why does it look like I pasted scraps of fake beard on my face p>
That was it-the makeup artist snapped inside. Her polite smile turned plastic. “Mr. Fields, the only way to get rid of that jaw is a surgical bone reduction. Maybe go to a clinic if you’re that concerned p>
Clyde fell silent.
He got the message loud and clear-her tone wasn’t exactly friendly anymore.
He looked at the photo again, then back at the mirror. Yeah, maybe he’d pushed too far. But still, it wasn’t like he did all this for nothing-he was going to see his goddess today!
Scarlett had goddess-level beauty. Was it really that outrageous for him to want to look his best for her? He touched his chin, deep in thought. Maybe that surgery idea wasn’t so crazy after all… but never mind, he had bigger things to deal with right now-getting his makeup right today came first!
They were still debating the contouring plan when a car horn honked outside.
Clyde’s eyes narrowed. He slammed a hand down on the table. “Didn’t I already tell everyone we’re closed for the next three days? Who the hell’s disturbing me again p>
He waved off the makeup artist. “You, out of the way p>
He stormed out, practically spitting fire, ready to tear into the little punk who’d dared to break the house rules at Harvest Fields!
Slap!
The second his foot hit the first step, a burst of uncontrollable laughter rang out:
“Hahahahaha p>
Not far ahead, Lisette stood in the courtyard, pointing right at him, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over. “Clyde, were you trying to start a fire just now? ’Cause your face looks like you fought a chimney and lost p>
“Wait a sec p>
“That charcoal mess on your cheeks, nose, even your cheekbones-honestly? It’s kind of evenly spread. Respect the consistency p>
“Did your fire get smart or something? Knew exactly where to burn p>
Clyde rolled his eyes so hard he nearly saw the back of his own skull. “You again? Seriously? My goddess is supposed to show up this afternoon and you’re still crashing lunch like you own the place. Got any shame left p>
Lisette, for once, didn’t argue back. Just blinked at him with those sly cat eyes of hers.
Feeling like he finally had the upper hand for once, Clyde puffed up like a rooster. “Lisette, let me tell you-if it weren’t for Scarlet, I’d have chased you outta here with a kitchen knife already p>
“Oh p>
Right as he finished, that familiar, flirty voice chimed in from the side.
That voice p>
Clyde flinched, snapping his head towards it so fast he nearly pulled something. And there she was-his goddess Scarlett, strutting in wearing a badass biker jacket, legs long and deadly, walking like she owned the ground beneath her.
His eyes bugged.
Scarlett. Then Lisette.
And then-he shot a glare at the latter, biting back a million words.
From Clyde’s face, Lisette instantly got the message: Weren’t you the one who said she’d come in the afternoon? What the hell, explain yourself!
Lisette just shrugged, totally unbothered, brushing it off with a lazy wave. Whatever. With Scarlett standing right there like her personal bodyguard, she wasn’t about to waste breath. Scarlett had just heard Clyde say he’d butcher her for fun-oh yeah, no way he was getting out of this clean.
Every time Lisette tried to help his business she’d get yelled at. Well today? Karma was serving hot.
She crossed her arms with smug satisfaction, just waiting for Mr. Perfect to crumble.
Clyde never had even a sliver of spine in front of Scarlett. The moment she appeared, he was all sweet smiles, soft as melted butter. “You’re back early! What do you feel like eating? I’ll whip it up right now p>
“I’m not too worried about food today p>
Scarlett strolled to Lisette’s side and instantly wrapped an arm possessively over her shoulder like claiming territory. “Mr. Fields, you run the fan club for my admirers, and this is how you treat my sweetheart when I’m not around p>
“It’s-it’s not what you think p>
Clyde started stammering explanations, but Scarlett casually cut him off: “Save it. Just focus on making her happy first p>
With that, she strolled inside with Lisette still under her arm.
With Scarlett watching over her, Lisette acted like she was invincible. Now there was zero chance Clyde could chase her around with a cleaver-so she turned back and made a silly face, equal parts smug and smugger.
Clyde: Lisette, you little devil!
Today was just cursed! His makeup was a trainwreck and his goddess had caught him red-handed looking like a disaster!
Total flop. Zero survivors.
What killed him most was the realization that Lisette had set him up. A full-on ambush. He was seriously tempted to go find that damn knife p>
Clyde thumped his own chest like he could knock the frustration out. Just as he exhaled-
Bam! A round-faced cutie popped up right in front of him out of nowhere.
He jumped a whole step back, startled.
Hannah grinned up at him, all soft and innocent. “Clyde, what tasty stuff are you making today? I can totally help with taste-testing p>
Clyde froze.