Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Curtis didn’t care a whit. His hand gave her a playful pinch, a subtle punishment for her distraction. “Mind your own business.”

The doorbell kept ringing. Then, Suzan’s voice from outside called, “Curtis, are you home? I brought some food back.”

It was like being snapped out of a vivid daydream.

Suzan’s voice was the whip that yanked Leanne back to reality.

The heat that had coursed through her veins vanished in an instant, leaving her feeling as

na

if she’d been thrown naked into a vast snowy wilderness, submerged in bone-chilling cold

and shame.

Curtis actually brought Suzan here.

Leanne sobered up in a flash, fully aware of her surroundings.

“What’s this supposed to mean?” Her tone was devoid of any confusion, icy enough to cut. “Curtis, can’t you ever keep it in your pants?”

His heat extinguished like ice water had been dumped over him. He withdrew his hand from inside her clothes, his handsome face growing colder as he sneered, “Is being touched by me really such an insult to you?”

Leanne turned mocking. “I’d rather not catch something.”

Her words struck a nerve. Curtis darkened his face as he stared at her with a mocking augh. “Leanne, have I spoiled you rotten, putting up with your attitude every day? Who

se would dare talk to me this way?”

“I’m hardly worthy of such attention from you to even be looking at me,” Leanne quipped.

She sat up, buttoning up her blouse that he had undone. Every movement was quiet and composed, yet somehow conveying the impression of being wronged.

A nameless anger rose in Curtis. He stood up from the couch with a grim face, walked

to the table, and pulled a cigarette from the pack.

over

The lighter clattered on the table as he took a drag, his back to Leanne, his voice irritated and cold, “Get out.”

“I’m going.”

Leanne straightened herself up without looking back at him and left.

Behind her, Curtis kicked the coffee table, sending it tumbling over.

Leanne opened the door to find Suzan standing there, clutching a takeout bag from a

Chapter 69

fancy restaurant, her face a picture of astonishment.

“Leanne? What are you doing here?”

She glanced past the open door at the overturned coffee table, Curtis’ mood visibly stormy.

Leanne had no intention of wasting words with her, but she paused at the question.

“Why am I here?” she echoed, her beautiful eyes looking at Suzan with a detached mockery, a flicker of Curtis’ disdain passing through her gaze.

Leanne said, “When you become Mrs. Richardson, then you might have the right to ask me that.”

Suzan’s face turned pale.

Leanne added, her voice cold, “For now, I am Mrs. Richardson and I haven’t asked why you’re here, which is more courtesy than you deserve.”

Her sharp words made Suzan struggle to maintain her composure, her smile strained. “Leanne, could there be some misunderstanding?”

Leanne gave a wry smile. “Misunderstanding is always your best shield, isn’t it?”

With that, she breezed past Suzan.

At the moment they passed each other, Suzan didn’t miss the lush and glistening color on Leanne’s lips. It was as if Leanne had just beer fiercely kissed.

Suzan tightened her grip on the bag as she watched Leanne walk away.

It was said that looks and grace were partly crafted by environment and largely by birth. Leanne was one of those naturally blessed. Blessed with a face that would make a

sculptor weep with

the Richardson

cool arroga

he good fortune to be adopted by a family as prestigious as

ht believe she’s some sort of heiress, exuding an air of