Whether it was real or fake, Lily no longer wanted to be entangled with Maxwell. She feared that the more she explained, the harder it would be to clarify. So she just reached into his blazer and slid the light blue envelope into his chest pocket.
"You have a mother who loves you very much; at the very least, she cares genuinely about your lifelong happiness. So, from one mother's perspective to another, I can't accept deceiving parents by pretending to date or be engaged to you. Let’s end this here, Maxwell. Whether you think I have motives toward you, or maybe you think you have an agenda toward me, let’s just leave the past and present alone. We should end this, and it’s best we never see each other again, even in the future.”
Before visiting Lily, Maxwell had received a call from investigator Elias, informing him that when Lily Bennett was sixteen, she had become pregnant. Outwardly, her father had kicked her out, but he had secretly arranged for her to go abroad to have the baby. A year later, she returned. Since then, she had been with her child, supported by her friend Emily Hayes. Emily's father had once been the driver for Mr. Gregory Bennett, and at Mr. Bennett’s request, the Hayes family had taken care of Lily, protecting her. Aside from her connection to the Bennett family, Lily had no ties to Monica Nguyen, Maxwell’s girlfriend who had gone missing five years ago. All previous information was now complete.
Maxwell knew he should never have come here after learning everything about Lily. The original purpose of the contract had been to observe and investigate her closely. He had even installed a camera in her bedroom and planted another in her handbag. During this time, none of her actions had suggested she was pretending to be someone else in front of him. Now, all suspicions were clarified as misunderstandings, and it was Maxwell himself who had instigated the contract. As Lily gathered her things to leave, Maxwell should have simply had all her belongings returned to her. Ending this relationship would reset everything back to square one. But for some reason, he found himself here, listening to her say these things.
The man took a step toward her, then another, his hands in his pockets, his eyes locked onto hers.
"Have you already forgotten everything I said to you last night?"
What had he said last night?
Lily only remembered Maxwell saying, "You are mine. You are my woman." Was that what he meant?
"Sorry, I don’t clearly remember what you said.” Even as she spoke, Lily’s thoughts contradicted her words, feeling that she might never be able to forget his words from last night.
Maxwell moved closer to her, his intense gaze making Lily widen her eyes in surprise. She feared that if he came any closer, she wouldn’t be able to resist and would give in to whatever he wanted. So she raised her eyebrows, adjusted her emotions, and suddenly looped her hands around his neck, flashing a coquettish smile as she said, "With that look on your face, it's easy for me to misunderstand that you’re into me, Maxwell. Don’t tell me you really love me?”
She was teasing him, her beauty all the more captivating with a mischievous smile, her slender frame exuding an allure few men could resist. Yet, unfazed by her mockery, Maxwell reached out, grabbing her slender waist and pulling her into his arms.
“Yes, Lily, I truly do love you. I can’t stop myself anymore. If you feel that the contract is a form of deception, then I’m willing to cancel it entirely. I only want to be with you.”
Look at him—he’s even better at acting than any actor.
Lily’s irritation was apparent, and Maxwell couldn’t ignore it even if he wanted to. What had started as her teasing was now turned against her by him. She buried her face in her hands, her voice a mixture of frustration and resignation as she asked, “So without the contract, then what? Engagement or marriage? Or do you just want a woman to warm your bed? Is that what you need me for?”
"Don't say that."
Lily opened her eyes, looking at Maxwell. "Sorry, I'm past the reckless age of eighteen. I'm already the mother of a child. I’ve learned self-restraint. I’m different from you, Mr. Thornton. Thirty-year-old men are still the desire of many young, beautiful women, while a thirty-year-old woman is practically past her prime, offering little mystery for a man to discover. Right now, I need to find a man who will love children, cherish family, and marry him. I’m sorry, but I’m not the right match for you."
Her words, one by one, seemed to test his patience. Find a suitable man who loves children and family? I’m not suitable for you? Not family-oriented or loving toward children?
Maxwell let her go and casually sat on the edge of the sofa, like it was his own home. Lily turned away from him, but his voice stopped her, “You want a suitable man who loves children and family? You’re saying this on purpose to provoke me, aren’t you?”
“No, I genuinely mean it.” Lily wanted to make her attitude as clear as possible so that Maxwell would understand and let go.
Maxwell pulled her close, and she fell back into his arms. His large hands easily gripped her slim arms, trapping her in his embrace. She felt his strong chest against her back as he leaned his head on her shoulder. His cool lips grazed her ear, and his low voice seemed to penetrate her, word by word.
“We’ve kissed, slept in the same bed—what haven’t we done? And now, while you’re in my arms, you’re talking about marrying another man. Lily, are you just trying to annoy me, or do you hate me that much that you can’t bear to have me in your life?” His voice didn’t sound angry; instead, a hint of jealousy and frustration burned in his words.
As strong-willed as she was, Lily was still only human. How could she withstand words that pierced straight into her heart? Her face flushed as she felt flustered by the sadness in his voice.
“You’re the one teasing me now, aren’t you?” Lily tried to pull away, but she was surprised by her own unexpected reaction.
Maxwell’s cool breath touched her ear as he licked his lips, leaning in closer to her ear before placing a light kiss. He whispered, “Fine, I’m the one teasing you. But are you moved? Lily, you should feel what I mean.”
Frozen in place, Lily didn’t dare to struggle further. She looked back at him with a hint of discomfort, her clear eyes meeting his dark gaze, but when she saw the depths in his eyes, she instinctively pulled her gaze away.
“Mr. Thornton, I’m not a romantic, so I can’t understand what you’re saying. Could you let go?”
“Seems my flirting skills aren’t up to par. My mistake.”
As he said this, his thumb pressed against her lips, and she gasped in slight pain, opening her mouth. In the next second, he kissed her passionately, his familiar touch finding her tongue. She had no chance against him from the start and tried to resist, but his relentless kiss left her breathless, unable to move. She clung to his neck, pulling herself up, her nails digging into his shoulders. Finally, as she caught her breath, he firmly pinned her down on the sofa, leaving her no room for escape.