Chapter 4

• It was noon when she appeared in the hall on the first floor of Mendez Group, under the bright midday sun.
• The driver took her to the basement parking lot and pointed to the car she had been in yesterday.
• "Ms. Osborn, this is the car. I'll leave the key with you and go back."
• She took the key and didn't know what to do.
• Earlier, Rolando had asked her on the phone, "Do you have a driver's license?"
• She had answered, "Yes."
• She hadn't lied. She did have a driver's license.
• However, having a driver's license didn't mean she could actually drive.
• She spun around the black sedan, clicking her tongue in frustration. She was about to get into the car when the rear door suddenly opened.
• Rolando stepped out of the car.
• "Mr. Mendez? How come you are here?" asked Carina, surprised.
• "Isn't this my car? What's the problem of me being in my car?"
• "Oh, that's not what I meant. Isn't this car supposed to be sent to me for washing?"
• Rolando asked coldly, "So you don't actually drive, do you?"
• She looked at him, a bit startled.
• "How do you know?"
• Rolando spread open his hands and then said in a mocking tone, "Just give me the key and get in."
• He got into the driver's seat, and she sat in the back.
• Rolando said calmly, "I'm not a driver."
• Carina thought for a moment before she finally stepped back and moved to the co-pilot's seat.
• He started the car. Carina said politely, "I'm sorry for dirtying your car and making you drive for me to get it washed."
• "So, I'll give you a chance to do something for me before you get the car washed. We'll be even."
• "What is it?"
• "Having lunch with me."
• She looked at him. "Having lunch? I don't think so. I'm not hungry. Besides, it's not appropriate for me to eat with you alone."
• "This car is very expensive. The blanket that you soiled yesterday is worth 20 grand. And it was totally ruined. I'll give you a fifty percent discount. Let's say 10 grand. Do you prefer to lose money or have lunch with me?"
• "You're taking advantage of the situation."
• "I just learned from you yesterday. You were the one who raised the price for no reason, right?"
• She looked at him angrily.
• "Are all capitalists as petty as you are?"
• "Haven't you heard? The richer you are, the pettier you Become. So, what's your choice? To lose money or to eat with me."
• "The latter," she replied, gritting her teeth.
• When she saw his smirk, she couldn't help but feel that something was off.
• The car suddenly quieted down. She exhaled a breath of air, unease creeping up.
• "Do you want some music?" asked Rolando.
• She shook her head.
• "No, I'm good."
• "Relax, then."
• "I'm very relaxed."
• "Are you?" His lips curled up in a mocking smile.
• She was relaxed, only a bit annoyed.
• "Mr. Mendez, did you have a crush on me because of what happened the night before last night? Are you interested in me?"
• Rolando spared a glance at her.
• She pursed her lips when she saw his gaze.
• 'I flatter myself,' she thought.
• "I'm glad that you're not," said Carina.
• The car stopped in front of the entrance to the dining hall. Rolando pointed towards the trunk of the car.
• "There's a set of clothes there. Go and get changed."
• "Where? In the car?"
• "You'll be safe."
• He got out of the car and leaned against the door.
• She changed her clothes and got out of the car a few minutes later.
• He looked at her with satisfaction in his eyes.
• He pulled her hand by the wrist and naturally linked it with his arm.
• The two of them went upstairs together.
• "Your task today is to smile and eat, so don't talk when you shouldn't."
• 'I have a sense that it's more than just a lunch,' thought Carina.
• After entering the dining room, Carina realized that the person they were going to eat with was a woman.
• The woman in the room was beautiful and elegant.
• Seeing that Rolando had brought a woman, she was surprised. She stood up and greeted them with a warm smile.
• "Rolando, this is ..."
• Rolando pursed his lips and said, "She's Triston's home tutor, Ms. Osborn."
• With that, the woman chuckled and said, "Nice to meet you, Ms. Osborn. I'm Jaylyn Mcclure."
• Carina nodded warmly and greeted her, "Hello, Ms. Mcclure."
• Rolando took the initiative to sit down and said, "Have a seat, please."
• Carina sat down next to him.
• Jaylyn shifted her gaze away from her and looked at Rolando. "I was even worried that inviting you out for a meal would interfere with your work."
• "No, it's fine. I brought Ms. Osborn over here. You don't mind that, right? After all, I made an appointment with Ms. Osborn first."
• Jaylyn shook her head with a soft laugh. "That won't be a problem, as long as Ms. Osborn doesn't mind it. I have already ordered all the dishes that you like, but I don't know what Ms. Osborn would prefer. I will have the menu brought to Ms. Osborn now."
• "I'm good, Miss Mcclure. I'm not a fussy eater."
• Rolando reached out his hand and stroked twice on Carina's head, his eyes full of warmth.
• "She's not picky with food. She eats everything that I like."
• Jaylyn's smile froze at his gesture.
• She then said with a forced smile, "That's good, Ms. Osborn. I hope you can enjoy the food here."
• Carina found it awkward. Rolando gave her quite a fright with his sudden act of affection.
• During the meal, Rolando always took care of Carina as if he were her boyfriend.
• Jaylyn did not speak too much. She barely did anything more than gracefully eating her meal.
• However, sometimes she would glance at Carina with coldness in her eyes.
• After lunch, they left the restaurant together.
• Rolando placed his arm around Carina's shoulders as he walked Jaylyn to her car.
• Jaylyn turned around to face Carina and then said softly, "Ms. Osborn, can I have a few words with Rolando?"
• "Sure, take your time. I'll go back to the car now," She turned around and walked towards Rolando's car.
• After she left, Jaylyn bit her lips and looked at Rolando with red eyes.
• "How have you been recently?"
• "Pretty good."
• "Don't do this again to upset me. I don't want to see you suffer."
• Rolando looked away, avoiding her gaze. "I didn't do this to upset you. I truly feel that Ms. Osborn is not a bad choice. Don't you think so?"
• "Rolando, I understand. I know you did it because of me ..."
• Rolando looked up and smiled.
• "You should go home. I still have to take her back to school. She has to attend a meeting in the afternoon."
• He opened the door for Jaylyn.
• Jaylyn lowered her eyes and said with a sigh, "I'm sorry."
• She then got into the car, ready to leave.
• When Rolando got back into the car, Carina smiled mischievously at him with her arms crossed.
• Rolando frowned, confused.
• "What's that smile about?"
• "You like her, right?"
• Rolando looked at her, his eyes turning cool.
• She pursed her lips.
• "Yes you do, you brought me here to provoke Ms. Mcclure, right? You didn't have to do that. She likes you, too."
• "What do you know? Save your nonsense forever."
• With a cold face, he started the car and drove away.
• 'Forever? Sure, given that we won't see each other again,' thought Carina.
• She didn't want to have too much contact with such a big wig.
• Her mother had said that rich men were unreliable. If she met a rich man, she had to run as far away as possible.
• She did not want to repeat the same mistake after she had learned her lesson from Reid.
• Of course, she might be overthinking in this case.
• Knowing that Rolando already had someone on his mind, she felt much more relaxed. At least, she wouldn't need to be too alert.