C22 Where Did You Go Last Night?

"...Ah?" Lydia was caught off guard by the man's abrupt remark.

Him?

Who?

She quickly grasped his meaning.

Did he think she had developed feelings for that man named Author?

In the past, such a misunderstanding might have thrilled her, leading her to believe he didn't despise her and perhaps was even jealous. But now, she suspected he was merely concerned she'd cause him trouble.

She turned to face him, her voice cool and detached, "I don't like him."

Her heart, once wounded by love for him, was now scarred and incapable of loving again.

"It's for the best that you don't. Someone like him is beyond your control," she answered.

His eyes briefly lingered on her, pausing at her newly cut, shoulder-length hair.

She had cut her hair?

Wasn't she always fond of long hair?

Yet, he had to admit, the short style suited her—neat, clean, and accentuating her poise.

"If there's nothing else, I'm heading back to my room."

As she made to leave, he was jolted back to reality.

Reece's gaze darkened at the sight of her wrist, marked by another's grip. Without a word, he hoisted her onto his shoulder and ascended to the second floor.

"What are you doing?" Lydia exclaimed, bewildered.

Her small fists pounded against his back in protest. "Let me go, let me go!"

"Behave yourself!" he commanded, his frown deepening as his hand delivered a sharp smack to her behind.

"...You, you... Stop that," she stammered, her face flushing with the intimacy of his touch.

Unperturbed, he issued a cold warning, "If you don't want another spanking, then stay quiet."

"!!!"

Lydia seethed with anger but bit back her words.

Fearing another slap, she remained still.

Before she knew it, she was set down in a bathtub.

A bathtub?

What was this about?

Standing in the tub, Lydia stared at him, bewildered. "What are you trying to do?"

"Ms. Lewis!" he called out, ignoring her question.

Ora hurried in at his summons. "Mr. Tillman, what can I do for you?"

"Assist the lady with her bath."

Reece's fingers pointed out each spot on Lydia's body that had been touched by another man, his voice laced with disgust. "Especially here, here, and here—scrub them well, get rid of the filth... And this outfit she's wearing, just throw it away afterward."

While holding her earlier, he had caught a whiff of another man's cologne, a scent that gave him a headache.

"Why should I throw away my clothes?!" Lydia clung to her dress, adamantly refusing to follow his command. It was a birthday gift from her mother, an old style, but her absolute favorite.

Reece's brow knitted together as he saw Lydia defending a dress that carried the scent of another man. In a low voice, he offered, "If you're not willing to take it off, I wouldn't mind helping you."

Suddenly, he began to close the distance between them. Lydia's slender figure was soon overshadowed by his looming presence.

Closer and closer, until she could make out every pore on his face, and her heart raced uncontrollably.

As he reached out, Lydia instinctively shielded her chest with her hands and stumbled backward. "Reece, don't... Don't come any closer, not even an inch!"

"So, what's it going to be? Will you take it off yourself, or shall I assist?" His piercing gaze fixed on her, his lips curving incongruously.

Angered, Lydia's face drained of color. She snatched up a comb and hurled it at him. "Get out!"

"Ms. Liu, make sure you scrub well, just as I instructed!" Reece dodged the incoming comb and left with those final words, slamming the door behind him.

Once he was gone, Lydia exhaled in relief, muttering, "Absolutely ridiculous!"

"Madam, what did you do to upset Mr. Tillman so much?" Ora sprinkled crimson petals into the steaming bath, her voice filled with concern.

"I have no idea..." Lydia replied with a wry smile and a helpless shrug.

But under Ora's persistent questioning, Lydia recounted the morning's events.

Ora's lips quirked up knowingly after hearing the story.

"Ms. Liu, you find this amusing?" Lydia asked, her dark eyes filled with puzzlement.

"I'm just happy for you, Young Mistress," Ora replied with a warm smile, noticing Lydia's bewildered expression.

"Happy for me?" Lydia echoed, taken aback.

"Yes, indeed. After all your hard work, Mr. Tillman is finally starting to see your worth and appreciate you," Ora explained, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Pfft... Ora, you crack me up." Lydia couldn't help but laugh, finding Mrs. Liu's speculation completely off the mark.

Reece's disdain for her was common knowledge throughout Goulcrest.

The idea of him liking her was ludicrous.

That would happen when pigs fly.

Ora, undeterred by Lydia's skepticism, pressed on with her argument. "Madam, you may not believe it, but think about it. Why else would Mr. Tillman get so angry over a guy grabbing your arm if not for jealousy?"

"Uh..." Lydia was taken aback by Ora's reasoning, at a loss for words.

Reece's behavior today was certainly out of character, but she was convinced it wasn't for the reasons Ora imagined.

Reece falling for her was out of the question—a painful truth she had confirmed in a past life.

But since Lydia couldn't share details of her previous life with Mrs. Liu, she eventually just lay there in the bathtub, nursing a headache and choosing to remain silent.

She decided to let the issue drop.

Post-bath, Lydia headed down to the dining room for dinner.

Upon entering, she immediately spotted Reece at the table.

She gave him a cool glance before selecting the seat farthest from him.

"Where were you last night?" The moment Lydia settled into her chair, Reece's deep voice challenged her, accompanied by an icy stare that seemed to pierce through her.

Reece had been acting unusually concerned lately.

Before, he couldn't have cared less about her existence, but now, he was inquiring about her comings and goings.

It was as bizarre as a mouse officiating a cat's wedding—utterly absurd!

Despite her surprise, Lydia's pause was brief. She calmly began to eat, replying nonchalantly, "Where I went is none of your concern, Mr. Tillman."

"Lydia!"

"Yes, what is it?" she asked, ignoring the clenched-jaw frustration in his voice.

"Never mind."

His frustration was palpable, as if his chest was weighed down with stones, making it hard for him to breathe.

Lydia watched his reaction from across the table, continuing to enjoy her meal and drink without a care, a stark contrast to the days when she tiptoed around him, fearful of causing any displeasure.

In the past, she was terrified of upsetting him, always treading on eggshells around him.

Now, she did whatever made her happy, whatever felt comfortable.

If one day he couldn't take it anymore and decided to go straight for a divorce, that would be perfect. She'd wake up from her dreams laughing.

Reece watched Lydia intently for a long stretch, his expression unreadable, giving nothing away. No one could guess what was on his mind.

All the while, his slender fingers drummed on the table with a rhythmic, icy cadence.

Abruptly, he paused and pulled out his phone.

"Loran, don't bother coming. I've suddenly lost interest in meeting the suspect who messed with the phone."

At his words, Lydia felt her heart lurch, her gaze snapping to Reece.

She nervously swallowed and mustered a quick smile for the man before her.