"Really, it's not necessary. Thank you for the offer."
Janelle refused directly.
Bruce Aleen was deeply disappointed. But he didn't want to make her uncomfortable, and she genuinely looked exhausted.
"Then be careful on the road."
Janelle nodded and left with Erik. Bruce Aleen continued to watch their retreating figures until they disappeared.
Mr. Aleen and Bruce Aleen returned. Mrs. Hill immediately seized the opportunity, still hoping to make her case. However, no matter what she said, Mr. Aleen skillfully deflected, giving her no opening. Finally, Mr. Aleen grew impatient and excused himself under a pretext. Mrs. Hill felt deeply wronged.
A powerful dragon shouldn't crush a local snake! What was wrong with Mr. Aleen? Didn't he know Graham City was their territory? How could he show them no respect?
Mrs. Hill lost all interest in staying. She took Nelson and Lillie and left.
Outside, they saw Erik carrying Janelle towards his car. The slender girl held in the arms of the tall, imposing man created a striking contrast in their figures.
"..." Lillie truly didn't want to speak. Weren't they already gone? Why did she have to witness this suffocating sight?
"Shameless," Mrs. Hill commented coldly. Out like this with a man, carrying on like that late at night.
"..." Nelson was beyond words. What kind of mindset was his mother stuck in? He hadn't noticed before, but now he saw how twisted she truly was. She simply disliked Janelle, so everything Janelle did rubbed her the wrong way.
Meanwhile, Erik had carried Janelle to the car. He set her down gently, then opened the car door and helped her inside. As Janelle sat, he carefully removed her high heels.
She probably hadn't worn heels for a while. Her heels were rubbed raw, even bleeding; it looked incredibly painful.
"You're tall enough already. You don't need high heels." They gave women an elegant aura, but the cost was too high. Such delicate feet, now damaged like this.
"Who wears sneakers with an evening gown?" That would look utterly ridiculous!
"You should prioritize your own comfort. Why care what others think?" Erik leaned down and gently blew on her injured heel.
"..." Wasn't he grossed out? And this situation felt far too intimate.
"..." Lillie hadn't moved yet. She watched from a distance, and the sight before her only fueled her resentment. That man treated Janelle so well. She couldn't bear to see Janelle living better than her.
Nelson was also watching, his gaze fixed on Janelle, impossible to tear away. When Lillie turned back and saw him like this, it felt like a knife piercing her heart.
"Nelson, what are you looking at?" Lillie suppressed her fury. How dare he be so blatant right in front of her? What did he take her for?
Nelson finally looked away. "Let's go. It's late. I'm tired." Nelson disliked these occasions more and more. Since his arrival, people had been looking at him strangely, a look he despised.
Mrs. Hill frowned but chose not to comment. Once she got rid of Janelle, everything would return to normal.
Erik picked up Janelle's high heels and threw them directly into a nearby trash bin.
"..." "Erik, how am I supposed to get back like this? And I only wore those heels once!"
"These heels are poor quality. Don't wear them again," Erik stated firmly, clearly holding a grudge against the offending footwear.
"..." Janelle was speechless.
Erik walked around to the other side, opened the door, and got into the back seat beside her. Though they'd only had champagne, neither intended to drive. The driver he'd called hadn't arrived yet; they had to wait a little longer.
Erik settled in, his gaze drifting back to her feet. The little girl's feet were truly beautiful. Feeling his stare, Janelle grew slightly uncomfortable.
The atmosphere inside the car gradually thickened with intimacy. Memories flooded back – the winding mountain road, the exact same position where they had been wildly passionate. Erik, clearly recalling that night too, swallowed hard.
The next moment, he stopped restraining himself. He pulled her onto his lap.
"Erik, don't mess around. The driver is coming!" Erik's large hands settled firmly on her waist, holding her in place. She was still in her gown, and straddling his lap like this made her shapely legs even more alluring.
"It's fine. I just want a kiss." He captured her lips. He was an expert kisser. Gradually, Janelle completely surrendered, melting into a puddle of desire under his touch.
Soon, kissing wasn't enough. Unfortunately, the driver could arrive any second. He didn't want anyone else to see her in this state of delicate seduction. He buried his face against her neck, breathing raggedly.
Janelle wasn't calm either. It wasn't just him feeling it. Deep down, she was drawn to his body too, incapable of cold rejection. His large hand gently stroked her waist. She pressed down on it.
"Alright," Janelle stopped him. This Rolls Royce Cullinan held far too many intense memories, memories that were truly tormenting.
"Hmm." His voice was husky, thick with suppressed desire. He wanted her. Desperately wanted to take her hard.
Just then, the driver arrived. Discreetly, he knocked on the window first. Hearing the sound, Janelle quickly adjusted her dress and slid back to her own seat. Erik had reacted strongly; the prominent bulge was impossible to hide. He quickly pulled a fold of her skirt over it.
"Get in," Erik called out.
The driver, hearing him, opened the door and took his seat. "Erik, sorry about that. Ran into a bit of trouble on the way, got delayed," the driver, one of Erik's men, explained.
"Erik, where to?" Seeing the stunning young woman in the car, the driver wasn't sure of the destination.
"Back to the villa," Erik stated directly.
"Right away, Erik." The driver didn't dare say more. Had he interrupted something? He definitely felt like his timing was off.
Janelle, however, remained composed. It was just a kiss, and the car didn't smell strange. She turned her head to look at the city lights outside the window. Graham City's nightscape was beautiful, attracting many tourists. After five years, it had become even more vibrant.
Janelle drifted into thought. Seeing her lost in reflection, unsure of her thoughts, Erik took her hand and guided it to his lap, pressing it against the hardness beneath her skirt.
Janelle turned and glared at him. The driver was right there! What was he thinking?
"What's wrong?" Erik feigned innocence. He simply didn't want her sinking into dark memories.
"Erik, don't go too far!" The heat beneath her palm was unmistakable; it felt scalding.
"What did I do?" Erik teased deliberately.
Seeing him so shameless, Janelle decided not to hold back either. She squeezed down hard.
"Mmm..." Erik gasped, almost undone by the sudden, intense pressure.