Chapter 13: The Employer Miss Makes a Scene
“This is just part of the plan…”
Lena murmured to the air, her voice trembling.
Outside the window, the heavy rain pelted against the glass, and Lena inexplicably picked up the teacup left by Reid.
The rim was still marked with the traces of Reid’s lips.
Would he think… someone like Veronica is what a real woman is like?
This thought coiled around Lena’s heart like a venomous snake.
Lena suddenly put down the teacup, the crisp sound of porcelain crashing back to reality.
No, this is not what I should be considering.
What I should be concerned about is whether Reid can withstand Veronica’s temptation and violate our contract!
—————–
Before Veronica arrived at Noval Mansion, Lena had already agreed on a strategy with Reid.
Since it had been confirmed that Veronica’s arrival was a scheme, they might as well be bold.
Lena would play the role of the strict and indifferent mistress while Reid would feign concern for Veronica, actively creating opportunities for them to be alone together.
After all, there’s no such thing as endless vigilance against a thousand days of theft.
Luring the snake out of its hole is always more proactive than waiting idly for the rabbit.
As long as Veronica harbors any malice, she will eventually reveal her flaws in front of Reid.
In the library that morning, Lena had her back to the door, her fingers stroking an open copy of “Military Strategy” until she heard the familiar footsteps behind her.
“I heard you were looking for me, Employer Miss,” Reid’s voice came from the doorway, his tone as usual but inexplicably carrying a slight distance.
Lena turned around; the morning light outlined Reid’s tall figure, and he was still wearing that coat from last night.
The collar of Reid’s coat was slightly unbuttoned, fifteen degrees wider than the etiquette allowed.
Lena frowned.
But now was not the time to correct Reid’s etiquette; she noticed faint shadows under his eyes—
Clearly, Reid hadn’t slept well last night.
“You didn’t return to the bedroom last night.”
Lena got straight to the point, her voice calm as if discussing the weather: “We agreed to maintain a superficial marital relationship.”
Before this, Reid and Lena had indeed been sleeping separately.
After all, their relationship was merely an employment one, and both needed their own personal space—those were Lena’s own words.
But once Veronica arrived, things changed.
Although it was only an employment relationship, Lena and Reid still appeared to be a married couple in public.
If a couple sleeps in separate rooms, it could easily lead to unnecessary suspicion; thus, Reid moved his personal belongings into Lena’s bedroom last night.
Thankfully, they did not have to share the same bed.
Even though it was just a villa, it was still Duke Noval’s estate, and the master bedroom was naturally a suite.
If he were to actually sleep in the same bed as Lena, Reid would have to report it as an injury at work to Heloise.
Reid let out a light chuckle, lazily leaning against the door frame: “Employer Miss, may I ask if you are worried about me?”
“I am worried about the plan.”
Lena corrected him stiffly, her gray-blue eyes fixed on him:
“Veronica is not an ordinary opponent, she—”
“—is skilled at using her body as a weapon,” Reid casually interrupted, his gaze drifting outside the window, “Don’t worry, I’m not interested in overly sweet pastries.”
Lena’s fingers tightened on the pages of the book.
This was the first time Reid avoided her gaze in front of her.
“What did she do last night?”
The sunlight slowly crawled across the carpet, eventually landing on the tips of Reid’s shoes.
Reid looked down at the patch of light and sighed: “She ‘accidentally’ spilled the calming tea, wetting my shirt.”
“And then?”
“Then I told her to find a maid to deal with it,” Reid shrugged, “I changed into another shirt myself.”
“Did she touch you?”
Lena suddenly asked, her knuckles unconsciously crinkling the corner of the page.
Reid finally raised his head, the sharpness in his dark eyes concealing deeper fatigue:
“I underestimated your dedication, Employer Miss.”
“I just don’t want the plan to go awry.” Lena closed the book in her hand, the metallic corners clashing with a clear sound, “Don’t forget your position, Mr. Reid.”
“Of course.”
The Employer Miss seemed a bit unreasonable.
But Reid quickly understood; as the saying goes, concern leads to confusion, and given the significance of the Duke’s heirship, Lena’s heightened tension was to be expected.
Ah, such is the life of a service provider.
Managing the mental state of the client is also a necessary part of ensuring that one’s work proceeds smoothly.
Reid gazed at her taut jawline, his expression gradually softening.
“I didn’t return to the bedroom last night because I was cleaning up the mess left by Veronica, and my Employer Miss had already fallen asleep; I simply didn’t want to disturb your slumber—”
“If Veronica asks about it today, I’ll respond like this,” Reid pointed to the faint shadows under his eyes, “Of course, as proof of our ‘affection.'”
“And regarding Veronica, from a general rational perspective, she is indeed a very charming lady.”
Where can I find such a dedicated service provider?
Just a little trick to prevent the Employer Miss from overthinking.
Reid stepped forward, his voice soothing:
“I know you are worried about the plan failing, my dear Employer Miss.”
“But being able to demystify women is an essential quality of a professional con artist,” Reid’s voice softened, “Don’t worry, please don’t forget my profession, alright?”
Noticing that Lena’s gaze had softened, Reid sighed in relief.
Alright, the soothing was over.
Next, it was time to turn up the intensity for the Employer Miss.
After all, if the client is always so capricious, it makes it hard for me as the service provider.
“However, allow me to remind you, Employer Miss,” Reid suddenly stepped forward, close enough to see the slight contraction of Lena’s pupils.
“Excessive control can affect operational efficiency—your expression just now was simply like you were genuinely jealous.”
“Watch your words!”
Lena suddenly slammed her hand on the table, the heavy tome hitting the surface with a dull thud: “This is just a strategic necessity!”
“Strategic necessity,” Reid repeated languidly, his fingers gliding along the edge of the bookshelf, “Just like how you ‘strategically’ placed a maid in my room?”
A moment of silence.
Reid suddenly froze.
Lena’s expression changed.
Her gray-blue eyes now resembled a frozen lake, cold, sharp, devoid of warmth.
That gaze pierced through Reid, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.
Reid had never seen Lena display such a look—
No, I have seen it.
Two years ago on that rainy night, when Lena held a blade to my chest, she had the same expression.
Lena seemed to realize that she had lost her composure.
Her eyelashes fluttered lightly, quickly averting her gaze, unwilling to meet Reid’s eyes, which now resembled those of a wounded beast.
“Get out,” Lena suddenly turned to face the window, “Immediately.”
As the sound of the door closing echoed, Lena adjusted her collar in the glass reflection, ensuring the insignia of the Noval family was perfectly in place.
In the morning light, that silver badge was as sharp as a blade.
