Chapter 176
Kingsley didn’t move an inch. “Not that. Choose something else p>
Lucy gripped her bag tightly, barely resisting the urge to swing it at his face. “If you can’t do it, why talk about compensation? Don’t you feel embarrassed p>
“My pride has been battered by you plenty of times. Once more doesn’t matter,” Kingsley said with a helpless sort of honesty.
Lucy checked her watch. Thinking of her afternoon meeting, her patience evaporated. “If you’re sick, see a doctor. Or go find your Joyce. I don’t have time to waste with you p>
She paused, adding, “Kingsley, don’t break the peace. Maintaining the status quo is enough p>
She shoved his hand away, opened the door, got in, and drove off without a glance back.
Nearby, Xavier hadn’t heard the words, but Lucy’s darkening expression made it clear the conversation hadn’t gone well.
Kingsley stood rooted to the spot, thoroughly baffled. He apologized; she rejected it. He offered compensation; she only wanted him gone. From start to finish, he hadn’t even had a chance to plead his case.
Back in the car, Kingsley glanced at Xavier in the passenger seat. Remembering the man was single, he swallowed his question.
He turned to the Chinese driver. “Phil, do you have any dating experience p>
Phil, currently driving, was startled but flattered. “Dating? Not really, my wife and I were introduced. But I have plenty of marriage experience. I can guess a woman’s mind reasonably well p>
Phil immediately opened the floodgates. “Actually, most women are easy to coax. A little romance now and then, be considerate. Also, women say one thing but mean another. When they say ‘no, they usually mean ‘yes p>
Kingsley listened absentmindedly, feeling this advice was useless. He cut him off quietly. “Phil, I got it p>
Xavier leaned in. “Mr. Sherwood,
there’s a saying: ‘Persistence wears
down resistance. If you’re sincere
enough, Miss Lynwood will eventually be moved p>
As Kingsley, mulled this over, a message from Shane arrived on bis tablet. It was a detailed report of Lucy’s last two years-a simple life of work and home with almost no male interaction.
The only close male associate was her boss, Jules Holt. They had a good relationship and often attended events together.
Almost simultaneously, Lucy’s phone rang.
A low male voice spoke: “Miss Lynwood, Kingsley has indeed investigated your records from the past two years p>
Lucy replied faintly, “Mm. As long as he didn’t find Seven p>
“Rest assured, the Young Master’s records have been completely scrubbed. He won’t find them,” the voice assured her.
Hanging up, Lucy watched the road, a cold light in her eyes.
A moment later, she dialed another number and gave a crisp order.
“Leak the news that Kingsley is in Switzerland to Joyce Mason. Tell her he’s here chasing a woman p>