Olivia undoubtedly did not believe Christoff and commented, âThen, you should be prepared for the possibility that your journey will not go according to plan and it will involve some inherent dangers. Isnât it too much of a price to pay to make a new friend?â
He smiled and replied, âArenât you even a bit moved by my help?â âNo. I donât want to be a burden to anyone,â she explained and was eager to leave.
Then, Christoff advised, âThe truth is that neither of you will be able to find him. You may also encounter dangerous circumstances, whereas I will not. Since I have clout over there, Iâll have no trouble finding someone. Moreover, I suggest you convince her to stay home rather than squander time with me here.â
Jewel promptly rejected his suggestion. âNo, I have to follow her.â âOlivia is right. Your identity might be easily. exposed,â he reminded. âI donât care. I wonât let Olivia go with you,â she insisted.
However, Olivia reasoned that his words made sense, and she reiterated, âJewel, you went through a lot to get where you are today. So, stop interfering with my problem!â
Jewel frowned and stated, âDonât bother trying to persuade me. Iâm not going anywhere without you.â I canât just let you go on your own, especially not when youâre with Christoff. Then, he insisted, âFine. If you want, letâs go together. Donât waste time, or weâll be late for the flight.â
At that moment, Olivia stared warily at Christoff, wondering if he was a friend or foe. Consequently, how could she possibly go with him? He tried to reassure her, âDonât worry. If I had intended to hurt you, I wouldnât have gone to all this trouble.
Olivia and Jewel exchanged glances, but Christoffâs patience had run out, so he asked coldly, âWhat? Are you expecting me to threaten you now?â
She drew a deep breath, held Jewelâs hand, and entered his car. This man is so annoying! Once Olivia was buckled in, he sat next to her and said, âMiss Fenton, please sit in the front.â Jewel was displeased, but she restrained herself from expressing her feelings because she relied on them. While riding in the car, Olivia questioned, âMay I ask how you transformed into an entirely different person?â
Suddenly, Christoff leaned in on purpose and asked coyly, âDo you want to learn?â She knitted her brows slightly and avoided him. âMr. Stevenson, I can tell youâre a gentleman, but with all due respect, may I ask you for a favor?â
âWhat is it?â
âCan you please not lean in so close to me as you talk?â Christoff was taken aback by Oliviaâs inquiry but quickly responded with a grin, âWill I appear impolite if I decline your request, especially after youâve complimented me?â
She looked at him and replied, âIâm sure you can figure it out.â âTo be honest, how I behave depends on the person. If it means spending time with you, I donât mind pretending to be a well-mannered gentleman. Youâre a beauty, you know that? Every beauty gets the final say.â
Oliviaâs lips twitched as she snorted, âDonât flirt with me the same way you flirt with young chicks. Iâm not going to fall into your trap.â However, Christoff remained obstinate and moved closer to her. âDoes that mean I donât need to behave gentlemanly around you?â
At that moment, she did not attempt to avoid him but instead inched closer to him. He was bewildered as to why she behaved in such a manner, and he was curious when she became so brazen. Suddenly, she reached up, jabbed a silver needle into the back of his neck, and said, âYouâre right. We should behave differently depending on the person, but since you donât believe me when I try to be polite, I have no choice but to be harsh on you.â
Christoff initially failed to grasp the meaning of Oliviaâs words. However, as time passed, he became aware that something was wrong with his left arm and that numbness was beginning to spread across it.