Chapter 227
Just thinking about it made Lisette Cavendish want to cover her face.
Ugh, nope, she was about to lose it.
She pinched Tobias Hastings on the waist, voice dripping with suspicion: “Hold up, shower talk is off-topic. You still haven’t told me why you think my brother’s lying p>
Tobias replied, “Scarlett never keeps anything from you. But this time? She’s completely silent p>
He leaned in a bit, tone casual but meaningful. “Think carefully—knowing her, do you really believe the issue’s on her side, or is it more likely your brother’s p>
Lisette paused, mulling it over.
The dots slowly connected. “So… you think the problem’s actually with my brother p>
Tobias didn’t answer straight, just led her along, “If Scarlett’s keeping something from you, it’s gotta be serious. Try to recall exactly what your brother said p>
Lisette recited thoughtfully, “He said… it wasn’t anything major, but since Scarlett wouldn’t tell me, he figured he shouldn’t say either p>
“Then riddle me this—if it’s no big deal, why’s Scarlett keeping you in the dark p>
“She’s only ever hidden this one thing from you p>
“Your brother might be downplaying it, turning mountains into molehills p>
“He’s even hiding it from you, his own sister—doesn’t sound so minor now, huh p>
With Tobias breaking it all down like that, Lisette felt the alarm bells sharpening in her head.
“Yeah, he’s definitely hiding something from me p>
The pieces were clicking, but it didn’t feel any less confusing.
“What did he even do? Why did things between him and Scarlett get so weird? If he’s the problem, why is she still covering for him after all this time?” she asked, brows furrowed.
And what’s more—things got awkward between them right around her coming-of-age ceremony. Was she somehow wrapped up in this too?
The more Lisette thought, the more lost she felt. Her mind was full of questions, guesses crowding in, but without answers, everything felt hazy.
Her brows creased deeper.
Then, a gentle touch. Tobias’s finger pressed softly between her brows.
“Stop overthinking it,” he said calmly. “When one of them’s ready to talk, the truth will come out p>
“Yeah,” Lisette nodded, sighing. “Guess I just have to wait patiently p>
The room fell into a calm hush.
But not for long.
Tobias’s hand drifted downward from her brow, brushing along her collarbone with a little teasing stroke. “So… what do you think about that thing I suggested p>
“Huh?” Lisette blinked.
“You know,” he said, clearly enjoying himself, “giving you a bath tomorrow p>
Before he even finished, Lisette swatted his hand away and yanked the blanket over her head.
“Nope, I’m done, I’m going to sleep!” came her muffled voice.
A bath? Entirely? Top to bottom? Sheesh, just say you want some bathroom action and get it over with!
Lisette groaned to herself under the covers.
Then, she felt an arm wrap around her waist.
Another hand tugged at her blanket, revealing her scowling face. “Hey now,” Tobias chuckled gently, “I was messing with you. Don’t smother yourself in there, it’s not good for you p>
Lisette pouted. “You always do this when I’m upset—crack dirty jokes to distract me. Seriously, can’t you think of another tactic p>
Tobias shook his head smoothly. “It’s not tactic. Just speaking from the heart p>
Lisette glared. “Yeah right. That wasn’t a joke, you were totally flirting p>
“Mhm,” he smirked. “Constantly thinking about you p>
“Geez, Mr. Hastings, you really don’t hold back with the sweet-talk. Getting bolder by the day. Are you just that sure I won’t push back p>
“Oh?” he replied smoothly. “So you would?””I think you underestimate me p>
Lisette Cavendish pulled the blanket down, gave Tobias Hastings a sideways glance. “Who says I don’t dare p>
Tobias chuckled, the corners of his lips lifting. “Oh? Then how about we test that out tomorrow night p>
Without a word, Lisette shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep. Her whole vibe basically screamed, “I’m not talking, I’m sleeping now p>
Tobias gave a soft laugh, leaned down and kissed the space between her brows, muttering gently, “Goodnight, my Lissy p>
His voice, the scent of him—soothing, comforting. Like a warm hug melting her stress away.
Lisette’s lips curved ever so slightly. In her head, her so-called CEO husband became a swoon-worthy blend of strong and sweet. And then p>
“Can’t wait for our couple’s bath tomorrow night,” he tacked on in a low mumble.
Lisette: p>
He. Did. That. On. Purpose! Great, now she definitely wasn’t gonna sleep tonight!
Couple’s bath? Tomorrow night?
Just picturing it made her feel like she’d nosebleed.
Sleep? Yeah, right.
The next morning, she marched to the presidential suite next door, sporting fierce dark circles under her eyes.
Scarlett Graham had just wrapped up a workout and was chilling with a face mask on. The door barely opened before Lisette all but fell into her arms like a human sticker, arms thrown around her neck, nuzzling her like a sleepy baby. “Scarlett p>
Scarlett’s mask got half-peeled off thanks to Lisette. She smoothed it back down with one hand and guided Lisette inside with the other, one arm around her waist.
She plopped her onto the sofa, slid a yogurt chip into her mouth, then handed her the rest of the tube.
Sitting on the armrest, Scarlett asked, “What’s with this dead battery look? Overslept or overworked last night p>
Lisette shook her head. “Overwork? Please p>
Scarlett teased, “Newlyweds, honeymoon suite, your man cuddling you all night and no workout involved? What is he, broken? Wanna sneak into Daddy’s room tonight? I’ll give you a proper workout p>
“Pfft p>
Lisette shot her a side-eye. “With your ‘military boot camp’? I’ll be bed-ridden for three days p>
Scarlett leaned in, eyes twinkling with mischief. “So what? I’ll take care of you top to bottom. Custom service. No one else gets this treatment p>
Lisette stared at her like she was ridiculous. “No thanks. If I can’t get out of your bed for three days, my husband might not let me out of his for the next three months p>
Dude gets so jealous over nothing. Not worth poking the bear.
While they were talking, Scarlett’s doorbell rang.
She got up, peeked through the peephole. A guy in a hotel uniform stood there, pushing a breakfast cart.
She opened the door.
He rolled the cart in, gave her a quick glance. With the shiny gold mask still plastered on her face, her features weren’t all that visible. On the sofa though, a fluffy little head was lazily peeking over.
“What’d you order?” Lisette called out. “Smells like sweets p>
“Sweet and tangy, your fave,” Scarlett answered, walking over.
Lisette perked up immediately, hopping off the couch. “You even knew I’d come over this morning p>
As she passed the guy, a strange smell hit her nose.
She instinctively covered her face. “What’s that smell p>
Scarlett sniffed too, frowning as she covered her mouth. “Yeah, something’s off p>
Lisette was close—real close—and suddenly noticed his weird expression.
Instant red flag.
“Scarlett, watch out!” she yelled without thinking.
In the blink of an eye, the man peeled off his cap, flashed a sly grin, and reached right for her—