Chapter 194 Why Are You Here

• After dinner, Lily Williams and Samson wandered around the mall for a bit. When it was about time, Samson finally headed out. He’d wanted to drive Lily home, but she shook her head. “I’ve got something to deal with. I’m not going home yet.” Samson nodded. “Okay. If you’re out alone, be careful.” Lily smiled. “Got it. I know.” In broad daylight, what could really happen? She waited until Samson left, then walked out of the mall too. She lifted her hand and let the sun flash off the thing on her finger. Was it really okay to accept something like this as a gift? Forgive her for being inexperienced. She’d thought only a boyfriend or girlfriend should give this sort of thing. Then she remembered—her last wedding ring had been bought by Mrs. Taylor. If she really wanted to split hairs, Robert Taylor hadn’t given it to her either. That thought soured her mood. Lily let out a sigh and forced herself to stop overthinking. She grabbed a cab back to the dessert shop. Meng Chang was inside on the phone. When she saw Lily come in, she quickly pointed at her phone and mouthed that it was the landlord calling. He said he was on his way. Lily heard that and slipped back outside to call Samson. He reacted just like before—said he’d come right away. Relief loosened her chest. “If you’re coming, I’m at ease.” Samson told her not to panic, said he’d be there soon, and to leave it all to him. Then he hung up. Lily went back into the dessert shop and sat in a chair off to the side. Meng Chang grinned. “The landlord’s heading out now. He should be here soon. Think about how to push the rent down a bit. Business is rough here. If the rent’s too high, it’s just not worth it.” She even told Lily what she was paying, and told her to bargain for something lower than that. Lily nodded. “Okay. I’m on it.” Before the landlord showed up, Samson’s car pulled in first. Lily didn’t even wait for him to park. She stood and hurried to the door. But Samson wasn’t alone—Robert Taylor stepped out of the car too. Lily froze for a second. Robert’s face didn’t give much away. He walked over when he saw her. “When’s the landlord getting here?” Lily blinked. “Why are you here? For stuff like this, Samson can handle it.” It was just renting a place. No way did it need someone like Robert to show up in person. Robert glanced through the shop. “First time you’re running a business. I came to take a look and help out.” Of course he did. Lily blew out a breath. Warmth rushed up on her out of nowhere, and it made her weirdly uncomfortable. They were already divorced. If he was this good to her, what was she supposed to think? Especially after they’d ended up in bed together more than once. Women, right? It’s easy to read too much into things. She couldn’t help wondering if their bodies clicked so well that Robert was catching feelings again. And yeah, she knew that sounded ridiculous, like she was pushing herself into a dead end. But thoughts don’t listen to rules. She couldn’t fully talk herself out of it. Samson came over then, smile toned down from his usual. “We’re both here to back you up. Your landlord might get spooked and cut the rent.” Lily snorted. “Sounds nice in theory.” They only waited a few minutes at the door before the landlord pulled up. Samson had parked right out front. The landlord got out and stared at the car first. Lily didn’t know much about cars, but even she could tell Samson’s ride wasn’t cheap. The landlord’s face said the same—pure surprise. Then he finally looked at the three of them standing by the entrance.