Walter felt a bit hot. He loosened his cor, revealing the edge of a Jesus pendant and a tattoo. Shakira nced at it but was quickly forced by him to lift her chin again.


    His hand wasrge, and Shakira''s face seemed tiny in it, like a doll he could easily manipte.


    Walter ran his pinky gently along her jawline. Unintentionally, they ended up even closer. Their noses were almost touching.


    Shakira blinked, and Walter could feel her eyshes brushing against his face.


    Walter spoke again, his breath carrying the sweet, intoxicating scent of osmanthus from her lips, making Shakira even more entranced.


    But his words were like ice, making Shakira shiver. "If you ever bring this up again, I''ll snap your neck without hesitation."


    Shakira''s eyes widened in fear.


    Instinctively, she let out a hup and covered her face with her hands, starting to whine. "The big bad guy is scaring me again. Besides breaking necks, what else can you do!" Walter narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Big bad guy?"


    Shakira didn''t notice the cold storm brewing in his eyes and continued in her own world. "Yeah, the evil big bad guy! If you hadn''t shown up, I would''ve driven Fiona crazy!"


    "Heh." Walter suddenly seemed interested. "So, what would you have said if I hadn''te?"


    "Hehe, I''d have said that not only have I touched his abs, but I''ve also kissed his lips. They''re soft and warm, like jelly-really nice to kiss. And sitting on him was like a roller coaster, so much fun. I want to do it again-mmph mmph!" Walter''s face turned dark. He had only one thought now. ''Shut her


    up and her from rambling!"


    stop


    Walter grabbed the back of her head and, with a forceful kiss, shut her up. Shakira, who was only good at talking, was no match for him.


    Overwhelmed by the taste of alcohol, Shakira went limp and slumped against his chest.


    Walter panted heavily. "Still going to talk?"


    Shakira''s lips were numb, and her eyes were watery. "I won''t talk anymore, I promise..."


    Walter covered her eyes with his hand. No one noticed that his ears had turned bright red. "Alright, if you''re drunk, just settle down and sleep." Shakira, already dizzy, now saw only darkness. She leaned against him, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.


    The next morning, Shakira woke up with a sharp pain in the back of her head.


    ''Ugh, that drink had a strong aftereffect.'' She thought it was just some fruit wine and had drunk a lot for fun. ''But why do my lips hurt too?'' Standing in front of the mirror, Shakira saw that she had a cut on her lip.


    She thought for a long time, with fragmented images shing through her mind, but she couldn''t remember any specifics.


    Shakira packed up and went to the dining room.


    Walter was sipping coffee, nced at her briefly, and stayed calm


    The butler saw her and gave a warm smile, though there was a hint of ambiguity.


    Shakira shivered a little. "Levi, how did I get homest night?"


    Levi was thrilled to exin. "Ms. Nelson, you were drunkst night. The Mr. Lopez carried you home."


    Shakira was stunned. "He carried me?"


    "Yes." Levi grinned widely. "You werepletely out of it, no matter how much we tried to wake you, you wouldn''t stir. Brian tried to carry you, but the Mr. Lopez stopped him and took you home himself. Don''t you remember?" Shakira shook her head vigorously. She remembered nothing at all!


    Yet, even with Levi''s description, she found it hard to believe. She thought, ''Walter could really be this nice to her?'' Shakira shook her head and wanted to ask Walter what really happenedst night.


    As she got closer and saw the bite mark on his neck, she froze, feeling a chill run down her back.


    His neck was injured, and her mouth was injured. It must be her who did it.


    Walter set his coffee cup down. "Aren''t youing over?"


    "Mr. Lopez..." Shakira quickly bowed her head. "I''m sorry." She was getting faster at apologizing each time.


    Walter sneered. "Oh? Then tell me, what are you apologizing for?"


    She definitely wasn''t going to admit she bit himst night.


    Shakira thought quickly. "I didn''t manage to get you home safelyst night and ended up passing out myself. I''m really sorry about that."


    "You''re good at dodging the real issue."


    Shakira yed dumb. "Did I make any other mistakes? You are so generous, you surely won''t hold it against me."


    Walter didn''t say anything but looked pointedly at the corner of her lips.


    There was his mark. Like a beast having marked its territory, Walter felt strangely pleased. "Fine, but if it happens again..."


    "If it happens again, punish me however you like!"


    Walter raised his chin slightly, showing unusual leniency. "That''s a deal."


    Shakira kept agreeing, breathing a sigh of relief. Her neck was saved, for now.


    After ss in the morning, as Shakira walked out, someone she didn''t want to see followed her immediately.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Shakira turned around and walked away without a word.


    "Shakira!" Joe caught up and demanded. "What''s your rtionship with Walter?"


    The usatory tone almost made Shakiraugh.


    She slowed her pace slightly, and Joe quickly moved in front of her.


    Seeing the cut on her lips, Joe''s expression was something else. Sost night, you two-"


    + 10%


    "Joe, whatever my rtionship with Walter or what happenedst night, it''s none of your business." She said coldly, "Get lost."


    Shakira walked past him without stopping.


    But Joe followed her again. "Is it money you want? I can give you money. You can be with Walter, but you could also be with me. Whatever he offers, I can offer more!" Without hesitation, Shakira pped him across the face, sharp and to the point.


    Instantly, everyone around was shocked by their confrontation. "Oh my god, has Shakira lost it? She actually hit Joe!"


    Joe could taste the blood in his mouth, and when he looked at Shakira, her face was as cold as ice. "Joe, you make me feel sick for ever being friends with you." Shakira was genuinely repulsed by him.


    "I don''t want to be friends with you; I just want to be with you as a lover," Joe said, clenching his fists. "From the start, I never saw you as just a friend!"


    Before Shakira could act, Mitchell suddenly came up from behind, grabbed Joe by the cor, and punched him hard. "Damn it, Joe, are you even a man? You took advantage of my sister and now you''re still thinking about her?" Shakira was speechless. She thought, ''Come on, I''m not your sister. Seriously, who do you think you are?''