Sweet Subterfuge

Chapter 43

Larissa thought he wanted to discuss something important with her, so she immediately replied, “I’m available.”

She had to work the night shift at the hotel on Thursday night, but after she got off work on Friday morning, she would have the rest of the day as well as Saturday off to recharge.

“In that case, would you like to accompany me as my plus one to a banquet that night?” Dylan asked. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

As if he were afraid that she would refuse him, he added, “I’m new to Covenford, and you’re the only female friend I have. Everyone else is bringing plus ones, and it would be very embarrassing for me to show up without one.” He even added a pitiful emoji at the end.

Larissa hesitated.

If Dylan had been an ordinary lawyer, she would have agreed to help him without having second thoughts about it. However, he was Microworks Corporation’s second -largest shareholder. This banquet must be no small occasion.

She wasn’t afraid of the business magnates she was sure would be present as well. She was simply afraid that she would appear clumsy and inexperienced in front of everyone else, and that she would end up embarrassing Dylan.

“Don’t you worry, it’s just a small event with acquaintances.”

“Everyone there is really decent. There won’t be any creeps or perverts.”

“Besides, being my plus one is very simple. You don’t have to drink or talk to anyone. All you have to do is stand by my side and support me.”

Dylan sent her a series of texts in rapid succession when she failed to reply for a long time.

Larissa thought about it again. Ever since the two of them met, Dylan had helped her out multiple times, both in her business and private matters. If she refused to help him now, she would’ve appeared to be too ungrateful.

So, she typed out an “okay” and sent it.

Since she’d decided to accompany Dylan to his banquet, she wanted to do her best to avoid embarrassing him.

“Are there any dress code requirements I should follow?” she asked him.

“Don’t worry about that.” Dylan had already thought about everything in advance. “I will pick you up before the event to meet with a stylist.”

Larissa released a sigh of relief.

If Dylan had arranged everything for her already, she was happy to sit back, relax, and let him do his thing. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about making any potentially embarrassing mistakes anymore.

Larissa guessed that Travis had successfully persuaded his parents to leave her alone when, for two days in a row after the incident in the hospital, Mrs. Hardy did not show up at the hotel.

As such, Larissa no longer needed to sneak out from the back door every day like a

thief.

Before she knew it, it was already Friday.

As soon as she got off work, she went home and slept through the morning. When she woke up, it was already three in the afternoon.

Dylan had instructed her beforehand, “There probably won’t be much to eat at the banquet. You should eat something at home first in case you get hungry during the

event.‘

Remembering his advice, Larissa cooked a bowl of instant noodles, but could only bring herself to eat two bites. She was afraid that if she ate too much, she wouldn’t look as good in a tight–fitting, formal dress.

At about four in the afternoon, Dylan called her. “Ms. Seymour, I’m already

downstairs. You can come down now.”

Larissa grabbed her bag and hurried downstairs.

There was indeed a car parked downstairs, but it wasn’t Dylan’s.

Larissa looked around the area for a long time before confirming that there were no other cars nearby. Only then did she walk over and knock on the window of the passenger’s seat.