Chapter 84
Lisette turned to face him.
Tobias looked calm, open, genuinely curious-absolutely no trace of anything creepy. That made her hesitate.
He was acting so casually, not even a bit guilty. Wait… could it be she’d totally misunderstood him?
She nervously tugged at her fingers, hesitating a few seconds before asking, “Why did you choose the pink one for me p>
Tobias instantly got what she meant – smart as ever.
A faint flush crept up his ears, though his eyes stayed boldly on her face. “Yeah, I’ve seen it before – but not in the way you’re thinking p>
“Then how?” Lisette wasn’t letting this slide. She wanted a real answer.
Seeing how persistent she was, Tobias finally said, “Remember the night you got drunk p>
She thought for a second, then gave him a suspicious look. “Didn’t you say I didn’t do anything to you that night p>
Tobias couldn’t exactly backtrack now; he just left part of the story out. “You didn’t-but when I walked you back to your room, you suddenly insisted on taking a shower, and the second you got in the bathroom, you tossed all your clothes on the floor p>
“I was worried you’d trip on the way out, so I picked them up and put them in the laundry basket p>
Lisette: “Wait, WHAT p>
So… Tobias had seen her underwear at that point?
Her eyes went wide as saucers, dread flooding her chest. “And then p>
Oh no. She could feel the real embarrassment loading up.
“You stayed in there forever, and I got worried something happened. I went in, picked you up, and carried you out.” He raised a hand, swearing, “I wrapped you in a towel the whole time-I didn’t look. Promise p>
Lisette: p>
She wanted to dig a hole and vanish. How freaking embarrassing could this get? He totally had to be laughing at her back then! And she thought everything had been chill that night p>
This was worse than doing something to him-it was mortifying on a whole new level.
Oh god.
She ducked her head, totally unable to meet his eyes.
“Lise?” Tobias called her name softly.
She felt like her brain had short-circuited. When he called her again, she mumbled, “I don’t feel like talking right now p>
Tobias glanced at her for a long beat, said nothing more, and started the drive home.
The whole ride, Lisette fully retreated into turtle mode, disappearing into her own world-she couldn’t stop replaying that trainwreck of a night over and over. Just the thought made her want to vanish into thin air.
Now she really got why Scarlett always warned her not to drink alone.
This was pure torture.
Even by the time they got back, she was still a mess.
The engine turned off, then came the sound of the car door swinging open and shut… and then her door creaked open too.
Cold air rushed in but didn’t stay long.
She glanced up.
Tobias was blocking the cold wind by standing in the doorway. He tilted his head, half-smiling. “You okay out there? Freezing p>
She finally managed a reply.
“Not cold,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Wanna come down p>
“Mm-hmm p>
He lifted a hand to keep the door steady so she could step out safely.
Watching a billionaire like Tobias do something so considerate pretty much shattered whatever awkwardness was left. When Lisette calmed down and actually thought about it, he didn’t really do anything wrong. If anything, she’d totally overreacted and assumed the worst.
Now that was awkward.
“Sorry,” she said softly, her voice a little sheepish. “I was wrong for misunderstanding you p>
“It’s on me, too,” Tobias replied, tone calm. “I should’ve explained better. If it were me and I saw an identical pair of panties, I’d probably get suspicious, too p>
Mr. Hastings, you really do know how to read the room.
As the tension eased, Tobias instinctively reached for Lisette’s hand, but suddenly turned alert. “Who’s there p>
Before she could react, Tobias had already pulled her behind him, shielding her with a sharp glance aimed straight toward the shadows.
With a dull bang, a car door opened, interior lights flickering to life. The driver stepped out and opened the passenger seat, helping someone out-a man in his fifties or sixties, maybe.
The light was dim, and from this distance, neither Lisette nor Tobias could make out his face. Then the man raised his voice. “Miss Cavendish, I’m Philip Clemens p>
“Mr. Clemens p>
Lisette blinked in surprise.
The one and only Philip? Her idol? The legendary pianist?
She instantly glanced at Tobias, who stayed protectively close as they walked over.
As they approached, the dim streetlamp and the soft interior lighting finally caught the man’s features.
Lisette recognized him immediately.
Despite rumors that he’d stepped back from music due to health issues, he looked nothing like a retired maestro. His cheeks were rosy, his presence commanding-he looked way more vibrant than in the pictures.
But then p>
Her gaze landed on the man walking around from the other side of the car to stand beside Philip – Dorian.
Seeing him dragged back memories she’d rather forget.
She could understand his curiosity, but laying it all so blatantly in front of her-it just felt forced. Like he was trying to stir her up on purpose.
She never liked people with agendas.
Philip spoke up, “I must apologize. Dorian looked into your background without your permission. I’ve brought him here today so he can make it right p>
He dipped his head slightly as he spoke, his tone both humble and sincere.
Everyone knew Philip came from aristocracy, and it showed-from his manners, his words, everything came across as dignified yet fully respectful.
Lisette panicked a little. Being bowed to by her idol? That felt way too much. She hurried forward to steady him, brushing away any lingering irritation. “It’s chilly out. Would you like to come in for some tea, Mr. Clemens p>
“Thank you p>
Philip followed them inside, maintaining a polite distance, every step as refined as the rest of him.
Inside the living room, the housekeeper brought over four cups of tea and then quietly stepped out.
Being visited by someone she admired so much had Lisette a bit anxious. She still didn’t like what Dorian had done, but her respect for Philip hadn’t dipped in the slightest.
Just then, a warm hand slid over hers-Tobias.
As the host, Tobias skipped any pleasantries and got straight to the point. “So, Mr. Clemens. What brings you over today p>
He didn’t even look Dorian’s way.
From the earlier conversation, it was pretty obvious something Dorian did had offended Lisette. And while Tobias knew proper hospitality, first and foremost, this was his wife. Anyone causing her distress? He was only tolerating them because Philip was present.
Philip took a small sip of tea, warming his hands briefly before pulling out a fancy red and gold invitation. “I actually came to invite Miss Cavendish to attend the piano summit tomorrow p>
It was the kind of invitation that couldn’t be mistaken-elegant, embossed with the signature logo of the summit.
Lisette stared at the card, then looked straight at Philip. Her voice was curious, gentle but firm, “Mr. Clemens, as much as I’d love to go… I’d really like to hear why you came to ask me personally p>