Scarlett Shaw went to the restroom, and didn’t rush back to the private room; she took a mont to calmly think over what had just happened.
Her gut told her that Mia from Dragonspire hadn’t just co by today to ask for cooperation—there was more to it. And judging by appearances, Mia seed to have quite a rapport with Kyle York. Obviously, tonight’s performance had been choreographed ahead of ti.
Scarlett’s intuition ca swift, and was just as swiftly confird.
When she returned to the room, the three of them acted as if nothing had happened, chatting about this and that until dinner ended. As Scarlett stood up, she accidentally knocked her bag off the chair behind her.
She bent down to pick up her bag.
Scarlett, who carried the sa bag every day, was always keenly aware of any difference in its weight.
The mont she picked it up, sothing felt off.
She already had a faint hunch about what had happened. When Scarlett opened the bag, sure enough, a thick envelope that didn’t belong to her lay quietly inside.
Kyle York, Mia: "..."
Scarlett: "..."
The atmosphere turned awkward. Scarlett reacted quickly, took the envelope out, placed it back on the table, and spoke with distant, polite formality, "President Underwood, President Morgan, I’ll pretend tonight never happened."
Mia walked over, picked up the envelope, and tried to push it back into Scarlett’s hand. "Manager Shaw, don’t overthink it, it’s just a little token. If you could put in a good word for Dragonspire at Veridian, that’s all we ask."
Scarlett smiled, drew her hand back.
The envelope dropped to the floor.
There was a crisp slap as it hit, a lot louder than expected.
To take things this far and keep trying to force it would only make it more awkward and stiff. Realizing this, Mia withdrew, acted unconcerned as she picked up the envelope and put it back in her own bag, then said to Scarlett:
"I crossed the line—don’t be angry, Manager Shaw."
Scarlett wasn’t angry, after all, this sort of thing happened all the ti. It just didn’t fly with her.
She walked to the restaurant entrance, pulled out her phone, and was about to hail a ride when Josiah Sutton’s call flashed onto her screen.
Scarlett’s heart squeezed tight.
Since her understanding with Josiah Sutton at the hospital, she’d been able to get advance notice of Julian Ford’s appointnts. Even so, no news was always good news, and now that sothing ca up, Scarlett’s fingertips trembled slightly.
She picked up, "Josiah."
Mia had co out behind her and happened to overhear Scarlett’s greeting; she froze, her beautiful eyes darkening.
On the other end, Josiah Sutton heard the tremor in Scarlett’s voice and laughed softly, "Don’t worry. It’s not about Julian."
Scarlett paused. "Then...?"
Josiah: "Julian told you’re only heading back to Capitoline in a couple of days. I’m holding a get-together next week, and I wanted to invite you specially."
Scarlett let out a breath. "He ntioned it the other day. I’m embarrassed you called personally."
Josiah laughed gently, "Julian told you because you’re his girlfriend, but I’m calling because I see you as a sister—my guest, so of course I want to invite you myself."
Scarlett thought that Josiah Sutton really was an incredible person.
His manners and grace made every encounter feel like a breath of spring, and he never looked at anyone with prejudice.
Besides, she could feel that the goodwill Josiah Sutton gave off wasn’t just surface politeness—his warmth and kindness were deeply rooted, bone-deep.
Just like that, Julian Ford was profoundly lucky.
Not only did he have her for a girlfriend, but he also had Josiah Sutton for a thoughtful best friend.
"I’ll be there on ti."
Scarlett paused, unable to help but remark:
"Josiah, you’re so outstanding, and gentle, and good-looking, and you’re a doctor who saves lives—how co you’ve never brought a girlfriend out to et us?"
Josiah raised his brows and laughed, "Julian warned you have a habit of pushing your luck. Looks like he wasn’t lying."
Scarlett: "..."
Mia, seemingly unfazed, stood not far away, leaning against the full-length glass, her eyes locked on Scarlett’s face.
Watching the smile in Scarlett’s eyes bloom ever brighter, and hearing the word "girlfriend" leave her lips, the wild pride in Mia’s gaze quieted, sinking back down.
She stood in shadow, her face concealed, swallowed up by the dark.
Scarlett had just ended her call with Josiah when she heard the approaching footsteps beside her. Mia, boots clicking, stopped in front of her.
"Let take you back to the hotel."
Mia pointed to her flashy, striking motorcycle.
Kyle York walked over to say goodbye to Scarlett, overheard Mia, and egged her on: "That motorcycle of Mr. Morgan’s is her favorite; usually, she won’t let anyone near it. You’re the first person she’s ever invited aboard."
With that, he eyed the motorcycle again.
"This bike’s got to be seven figures, all told. Mr. Morgan really is loaded."
Mia gave a casual, breezy smile. "Stolen."
Kyle York didn’t get it.
Scarlett had ridden in Jasper Spencer’s car before, so speed and thrills didn’t interest her. She tried to turn Mia down, but Mia already grabbed her hand decisively, saying with bold cheer:
"Relax, I’m a great driver. I’ll get you to the hotel safe and sound."
She led her to the motorcycle and carefully put the spare helt on Scarlett herself.
"Even if this deal doesn’t work out, just think of it as wanting to be friends. I’m twenty-eight, but we’re still more or less the sa generation."
Scarlett was firmly held in Mia’s grip. She didn’t understand how, but even though they were both won, Mia’s strength was far greater—precise and controlled. She didn’t hurt Scarlett, just deftly guided her onto the bike.
Sitting atop the sleek, black motorcycle, Scarlett’s almond eyes were lowered, the stars in her gaze colliding with Mia’s dazzling look.
The latter grinned at her, bright as fireworks.
Sothing flickered in Scarlett’s heart; she gave Mia a deep look, then looked away.
As soon as Scarlett had settled in, Mia swung her leg up behind her.
"Hold onto ."
Her voice was like the wind, as wild and free as an eagle soaring into the sky.
The engine roared, and the motorcycle leapt forward, slicing through the night like a panther, carving out graceful lines as it sped on. Instinctively, Scarlett wrapped her arms around Mia’s waist, pressing close against her back.
Mia’s waist was slender, but not soft.
Scarlett’s palm rested against Mia’s stomach—hard muscle beneath her hand.
Cloud Harbor was famous for never sleeping; compared to the orderly, modern glitz of Capitoline, nights here had a decadent, pathological beauty—desire everywhere, luxury rampant.
Mia drove fast, overtaking car after car.
Her flamboyant, vibrant energy seed to soak in the night air, tinged with lancholy, and Scarlett felt that, even amidst the wind, the person she was holding carried an unspoken loneliness.
"We’re here."
With a smooth brake, Mia hopped off first, helped Scarlett take off the heavy helt, then reached out with her hand to help Scarlett down.
Scarlett glanced at Mia, and took her hand in return.
Landed safe.
Leaning against her bike, Mia pulled out her phone and said offhandedly, "Scarlett, let’s add each other on WhatsApp. I really like you."
Scarlett’s lips curved. "Is it you like, or because I know Josiah?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)