Chapter 193: Chapter 194: Obediently Giving In
The two of them exchanged glances for quite a while before Thea Lynch spoke up, "I’m not here to seek investment."
"I know." She was merely sharing with him.
Ian Preston saw through her, "I just thought you had that idea."
He understood her well.
Thea Lynch pursed her lips, "Not exactly."
"At least not now, maybe in the future... who knows."
She was very interested in robots, although it slightly diverged from her field of expertise.
So her current focus was still on her area of expertise, leaving the professional matters to the professionals.
At most, she could offer a little advice.
As for whether the other party takes it or not, that was their business.
"If you have that idea in the future, just go for it boldly," Ian Preston tightened his grip on her hand:
"I believe in you."
Thea Lynch’s heart was moved.
——
Downstairs, the assistant got out of the car to open the door for Thea Lynch.
"Good night." Ian Preston released her hand.
Thea Lynch nodded.
Ian Preston waited for her to respond, waited a few seconds, but she didn’t speak, nor did she seem ready to leave.
He looked at her and did not interrupt.
"I have something to give you, wait for me a moment." Thea Lynch put the blanket beside her and prepared to get out of the car: "I’ll go get it now, I’ll be quick."
She slipped away briskly, not waiting for Ian Preston’s reply as she hurried off, her figure quickly vanishing into the building’s doorway.
Upstairs, Thea Lynch wore high heels and couldn’t run, so she walked as quickly as possible.
Entering the password, opening the door, in one fluid motion.
The bracelet was in the living room drawer, not on her person.
Just as she grabbed it and was about to head out, the elevator not far away opened, and Ian Preston slowly came out.
Thea Lynch paused at her pace, stood dumbfounded by the door, and didn’t go out, "Why did you come up?"
He spoke immediately, "I’m feeling dizzy, I’ll stay nearby for the night."
Thea Lynch looked him up and down, he indeed drank a lot tonight, reeking of alcohol, exhibiting a slightly tipsy demeanor.
He rarely showed this side in public, leading others to believe he was never drunk, no matter how much he drank, he always maintained a composed exterior.
The hallway lights automatically went out, and Thea Lynch snapped back to reality, quickly coughed, and the lights came back on.
"What are you giving me?" Ian Preston had already approached, stopped in front of her, and looked at the thing in her hand under the warm, dim light.
"You can see it when you get back."
Thea Lynch handed the box over.
Ian Preston took it, weighed it in his hand.
Even without opening it, he already knew the answer in his heart.
"What made you think of giving this to me, it’s not any holiday either."
Seeing he guessed it, Thea Lynch didn’t hide it, boldly retorted:
"Isn’t it the same when you give me things, you don’t wait for any holiday, do you?"
Ian Preston smiled lightly.
"That’s true. But when I give you things, there’s always a purpose."
"Then are you doing it with the same purpose as me?"
"..."
The man stood by the door, maintaining a polite distance, but his shadow betrayed his heart, undoubtedly leaning towards her, seemingly favoring her greatly.
Taking a deep breath, Thea Lynch lowered her head and took the item from his hand.
Ian Preston thought she got upset by the teasing and was about to coax her when she opened the box, took out the bracelet, and forcefully put it on his wrist, mimicking what he did years ago.
"Isn’t Third Brother clear about my intentions now?"
Ian Preston’s expression was briefly unfocused.
It wasn’t until she tried to withdraw her hand that Ian Preston suddenly realized and hurriedly grabbed her hand.
Thea Lynch was wearing high heels, and as he pulled, she lost her balance and fell into his arms.
The voice-activated light overhead flickered and went out.
Before she could scream, he swallowed all her sounds.
A large window on one side of the corridor let moonlight stream in, landing at their feet.
His suit pants and her skirt hem tightly pressed together.
As she became weak from the kisses, he held her waist, gently lifting her, letting her high heels step onto his shoes.
Thea Lynch was a bit panicked, instinctively trying to pull away.
Ian Preston seemed to sense her move, and as she started to back off, he abruptly pinned her against the doorframe.
Fearing she’d hurt her back, he quickly placed his hand behind her back, his warm palm tightly against her exposed, beautiful shoulder blades.
He kissed forcefully, gripping her cheeks, compelling her to open her mouth compliantly.
With a "clatter," Thea Lynch’s hand shook, dropping the empty box.
The voice-activated light overhead quickly turned on in the next moment.
Thea Lynch was dazzled by the sudden brightness, her heart also heating up.
In the bright light, she inexplicably felt a bit guilty.
As if the light illuminating their figures also exposed the self she’d hidden in her heart for so long.
Her thoughts about Ian Preston weren’t that pure.
It’s just that she hid them deeply, never daring to slip up.
Even though it was late autumn, Thea Lynch felt hot all over, her palms sweating slightly.
Initially, Ian Preston led everything.
Then somehow, it suddenly became her initiative.
When it ended, Thea Lynch realized they were already in the living room.
Even their clothes were in disarray.
She only had a dress on, his hands and feet were mischievous earlier, initially on her back, then somehow slid to the front.
Thea Lynch pushed him away, her face flushed, arranging her dress in disordered breaths.
She stood up, almost fleeing towards the bedroom, "It’s too late, I’m going to rest, Third Brother, close the door when you leave."
Followed by a closed door sound, and if listened carefully, even the sound of a lock.
Ian Preston still heard her trembling voice, calmed his mood, and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
He bent down, picked up his coat from the floor, and draped it over his arm.
He hadn’t expected tonight to go so far, didn’t even think of taking action; it was indeed a momentary lapse of restraint.
Passing by the wardrobe mirror in the hallway, Ian Preston halted, closely examining his reflection.
He’d always been calm, but now...
The disordered tie, the shirt with a few buttons undone, the faint lipstick mark at the corners of his mouth, and her lingering perfume scent.
All hinted at how wild things had been between them moments ago.
Recalling when she boldly reached out to untie his tie, Ian Preston’s eyes darkened, staring at himself in the mirror for a long time before exhaling a hot breath.
He glanced back towards the main bedroom, even though a door separated them, he seemed able to see into the room beyond it.
Guessing she was still hiding behind the door, unwilling to move unless he left.
Ian Preston helplessly looked down at his state, chose not to linger.
Returning to the adjacent room, his first move was to go straight into the bathroom for a cold shower.
Meanwhile, hearing the door close outside, Thea Lynch finally sighed in relief.
In front of the bathroom mirror, she tilted her head, gazing at the marks on her neck, and fell deep into thought...
