C13 He Was Kissed

At that moment, her concern wasn't about who he was or the power he wielded over their fates.

"Enough already," his voice came out hoarse as he pulled her arm back, feeling the subtle tremble of her body that momentarily threw him off.

He had discovered those photos online and planned to give her a lesson, but things had taken an unexpected turn.

"Who's messing around? Isn't this what you wanted?" she snapped back, annoyance lacing her words. As she stepped back, her eyes narrowed, glancing briefly at Caroline and Waverly before an idea sparked in her mind.

If they could embarrass her, why couldn't she turn the tables?

She suddenly let go of him, her lips curving into a sly smile, eyes darting around. She smoothed out Jabe's shirt until it was neat, then looped her arm through his, hugging it close.

Jabe watched her actions and then the pair before them, his lips forming a pleasing arc, silently welcoming her gesture.

"Ahem... Excuse us, you've just caught us in the middle of our usual antics. We... like to tease each other," she explained, tightening her grip on Jabe's arm and leaning in to whisper in his ear, "Mr. Russell... let's sort our issues out privately. Could you back me up for now?"

Jabe locked eyes with her, then leaned in, his voice a low murmur, "Give me a reason."

"Come on... We've had our moments, right? Help me this one time, and I promise not to drag you into this again!"

Jabe felt a twinge of irritation. Every woman seemed to want to climb the social ladder with him, to establish some sort of link. And yet, here she was, intent on cutting him loose.

Was she playing a game or did she have an ulterior motive?

"You'll need to deal with this situation, though. Otherwise, I reserve the right to sue you over last night," she gave him a look that clearly said the responsibility was his.

To the onlookers, their whispered conversation was lost, their close interaction mistaken for an open display of romance.

Jabe felt a sense of being slapped in the face. Had he really come all this way just to run errands and sort out her problems?

He was the CEO of Russell Group, and yet she had the gall to leave it in his hands.

And to think she had the audacity to threaten him with a lawsuit? Did this brazen young woman not realize that in A City, his influence was unmatched?

"Just focus on your work. I promise, I won't bother you again." She offered him a reassuring glance, as if to say that no matter what happened, she'd never get tangled up with him again.

Each person was preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Caroline's fists were clenched tight, completely taken aback that Katie had effortlessly grabbed the chance that should have been hers.

For Caroline, Jabe was an unattainable dream. She had thought that securing the project would pave the way to a relationship with him, but at the crucial moment, Katie had stolen the spotlight without her knowing.

"What should we do?" Waverly asked with concern, observing the pair ahead who were wrapped up in each other's arms. That was his ex, after all.

Waverly couldn't shake the thought that Katie's closeness with Jabe was just to spite him, convinced that she still had feelings for him.

He liked to see himself as someone irresistible, as though being loved passionately by others was the only truth.

Katie, on the other hand, ignored them completely.

"Mr. Russell... please, not here, we're not alone," Katie playfully scolded, poking his chest with her slender finger before turning to give Waverly a flirtatious wink.

Caroline saw everything, including the lovestruck look in Waverly's eyes. She pinched him hard in the back, jolting him back to reality.

She felt like spitting out blood, but it was stuck in her throat, making her uncomfortable.

"Mr. Russell, there are some details about the demolition project I'd like to discuss with you," Caroline interjected, moving away from Waverly as if to clear any suspicion of their association.

She walked towards Jabe with elegant steps, her heart racing, her fair cheeks flushed with a rosy tint, her eyes filled with adoration.

Jabe was the wealthiest man in A City, the prince charming everyone admired, someone they usually only saw on TV or in magazines. But today, Caroline had the chance to meet him in person, all thanks to Katie.

"Mr. Russell said the demolition was just a pretext, a way to identify those without compassion who commit dishonorable deeds. But now that Mr. Russell is here in person, he's interested in showcasing the beauty of our old street and promoting it as a tourist destination. To be honest, I'm quite taken with Mr. Russell's ideas. Mr. Russell, you really command respect," Katie said, her lips twisting into a wry smile as she turned to bat her eyelashes, looking at Jabe as if he were the only one in her sight.

Her words dripped with irony as she took digs at Caroline while simultaneously elevating Jabe. Her remarks might have been biting, but they were delivered with undeniable power.

Caroline was livid, barely resisting the urge to give Katie a couple of well-deserved slaps. But she knew she had to maintain her composure; her image was at stake.

Who did Katie think she was? Caroline vowed to make her regret her insolence, to return the favor a hundredfold.

"You... Katie, we're supposed to be classmates, right? The way you talk, it's as if I've committed some heinous act. Are you trying to drive a wedge between the Howard and Russell families in front of Mr. Russell?" Caroline couldn't swallow the indignity. Why should Katie be allowed to malign her in front of Jabe?

This was a direct assault on Caroline's image, and she couldn't tolerate it any longer.

"I didn't say it was you. Why so defensive? Guilty conscience much? Caroline, we've been classmates for years... how could you stoop so low?" Katie clutched her chest, the picture of wounded innocence, her gaze of disbelief fixed on Caroline. Internally, however, she was reveling in the moment.

Katie had never wanted to be Caroline's adversary, but Caroline's brazen move to demolish the old street was unforgivable. That place was Katie's ancestral home, her grandfather's legacy, passed down to her father. She was adamant that it wouldn't be lost on her watch.

"You..." Caroline was blindsided by Katie's tactic, rendered speechless.

Off to the side, Volney observed Katie with a discerning eye. Women like her were commonplace, yet Jabe seemed to have a soft spot for her.

He had gone out of his way to visit the old street for what seemed like a minor issue, even skipping a crucial business dinner for Katie. That project... selling the old street wouldn't come close to covering its worth.

"So, what do you suggest we do?" Jabe whispered tenderly into her ear, implying that Katie was in charge.

His voice was low, yet it carried, ensuring everyone could hear his doting tone and the special consideration he had for her.

Katie rolled her eyes inwardly. Jabe was really putting her on the spot. Caroline was no easy adversary. Katie wasn't afraid, but she wasn't eager to escalate the conflict either.