Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The woman scoffed, her high heels clicking against the pavement as she turned and walked away.

York, however, only chuckled lightly, dismissing her words with a wave of his hand.

The bitterness of love?

Please-

Give me a break!

No sooner had the woman left than a young girl stepped out of the bar.

She was wearing a mini skirt, showing off her creamy legs, with her curly hair flowing over her shoulders, and her makeup was flawless, making her look like a living doll. "Mr. Gibson..."

She moved closer, expecting him to welcome her advances, but York smoothly stepped aside.

With a long arm, he pulled Leda close by the waist.

Leda, who had been happily people-watching, gasped in surprise.

York looked at the young girl, "Sorry, you're a bit late."

The girl bit her lip, casting a resentful glance at Leda before reluctantly walking away.

"Using me as a shield?" Leda crossed her arms, a cold laugh escaping her lips, "And get your filthy hand off me!"

York had intended to let go, but now he didn't want to.

"What if I don't? What are you going to do about it?"All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.

Leda laughed, a hint of challenge in her eyes, "Playing dirty now? Fine."

Before York could understand the warning in her smile, he found his arm twisted behind his back.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" His cries of pain sounded like a pig being slaughtered.

"Still want to play dirty?" Leda smirked.

"No more, no more, I get it! Let go, my arm's gonna break!"

Leda rolled her eyes, "Pathetic..."

She loosened her grip but didn't let go, instead placing his hand back on her waist.

Under York's puzzled gaze, she spoke calmly, "Now, can you take your hand away? Thank you."

The man couldn't help but laugh, though it was more out of frustration than amusement.

She had just maneuvered his hand back to where it was, only to ask him to remove it?

It felt like a parent telling a child to get up from where they fell.

And in this scenario, York was the child.

Leda was the parent!

Damn!

What an insult!

A blatant insult!

Just then, an angry figure stormed out of the bar, his rage palpable even from a distance-

"Leda! Are you out of your mind?! You said we'd meet at eight, look at the time now! How long have you kept me waiting?! Everyone's time is precious, not just yours."

"I thought something happened to you on the way here, or there was some emergency, but now I see "

His gaze landed on York, his expression turning into a sneer, "Busy flirting with other men, huh?"

York's hand was still on Leda's waist.

Yes, he did that on purpose.

"Didn't realize you played the field so well. No wonder you wanted to collaborate, to keep up appearances for your family? Too bad, I don't do business with people who can't keep time!"

With that, he stormed off.

Leda swatted away York's hand, "Looking for another twist, huh?"

York quickly retracted his hand.

Leda sighed as she watched the man leave, wondering what a mess the day had turned into!

Just when she had found a

promising business partner, who

seemed interested in a

collaboration, she had hoped to celebrate a successful meeting tonight and report back to her mother that she had found a suitable match for her.

But then...

"It's all your fault! What a lousy move! Go back and retake your driving test!"

Leda vented her frustration on York.

It served him right, chasing after the tail of someone like her.

York obediently straightened up, ready to take the scolding.

But then...

"Wasn't that guy the youngest son of the Smith family? What's his name, Chen something? What did you want with him? A collaboration? What kind?" And why mention "keeping up appearances for the family"?

Leda rolled her eyes, her tone less than pleased, "Why do you care? It's none of your business."

"I was just thinking maybe I could

make it up to you, see if there's any way I could help. If you can discuss a collaboration with him, you can discuss it with me too."