NovelGoldChapter 267 Mandy stared at him, her expression unreadable.
Realizing he'd crossed a line, Liam fell silent. After what had almost happened between them last time, it was no wonder she wanted nothing to do with him-let alone accept a ride home.
He immediately dropped the teasing tone. "Lettake you to your hotel," he offered quietly.
Mandy didn't refuse.
The car ride was tense, weighed down by everything unspoken.
Mandy kept her eyes fixed on the passing city lights, her face half-lit by the golden haze of street lamps flickering by. Shadows danced across her features, revealing nothing.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLiam watched her in the rearview mirror, catching her frosty demeanor. He sighed, resigned. Clearly, his behavior last thad scared her.
He couldn't blher. She was just a college student-young, earnest, a little naïve. He really needed to stop with the boundary-pushing jokes before she started thinking of him as screepy old man.
What Liam didn't realize was that, if Mandy hadn't assumed he was gay, she would have made her move on him long ago.
They arrived at the hotel before long. Liam parked, stepped out first, and opened the car door for Mandy. Inside, he handled the check-in process for her, making sure everything was in order.
When he was done, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the debit card he hadn't managed to give her last time, holding it out.
"I was out of line before. I'm sorry," Liam said, his voice low and sincerely apologetic. "This is a token of my apology. Please, take it." He tried to sound as gentle as possible, but ultimately pressed the card into her hand with a firmness that left little room for refusal.
Mandy stared, momentarily surprised to actually see the card in her palm.
"I... I don't need this," she said quietly, her voice as cool as ever. Only she knew how desperately she wanted the money. But she had to keep up appearances. Her image couldn't crack now.
So, she handed the card right back. "You keep it." Liam had expected her refusal. This girl was stubborn, a little rebellious, but still had that unspoiled honesty of a university student.
A million dollars-most people wouldn't turn that down. But Mandy? She didn't even hesitate. His opinion of her only improved.
At least his efforts tonight hadn't been for nothing.
Liam pushed her hand away, forcing the card back at her. "I said it's for you, so take it. If you don't want it, toss it in the trash. I don't care." His tone left no room for argument, eyes glinting with a trace of playful arrogance.
"It's late. Get srest. I should head home." With that, Liam turned to leave. As he walked away, he couldn't help but arch an eyebrow, secretly pleased with himself. Surely that little show of confidence had left a lasting impression-maybe even swept Mandy off her feet.
He had no idea that Mandy, watching his retreating back, was fighting back a smirk.
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Amusement sparkled in her eyes as the corners of her mouth curled up. Her assessment of him was simple: naïve, clueless, and absolutely entertaining.
Given how cooperative he'd been tonight, she'd temporarily forgive him for being friends with jerks like Ethan and Victor. As long as he stayed out of Claire's way, she'd leave him alone.
Feeling in high spirits, Mandy tucked the card safely into her pocket like a prized treasure.
Tomorrow, she'd talk to Claire about their plans to study abroad.
Her mother had said the Fosters treated Claire well, but in this world, ვng on m you were better off relying on yourself especially when it cto men. Today, they might shower you with affection; tomorrow, if their feelings cooled, they could turn on you in a heartbeat and demand back everything they'd ever given. Mandy was certain: after all the hardships Claire had endured, she was done trusting men too.
The night passed dreamlessly. As dawn crept in through the curtains, a new day began.
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