As Lucas spoke, his heart ached.
He suddenly understood why Ashlyn didnât tell him about her getting poisoned.
It felt awful to hide something from a loved one so that she wouldnât worry about you.
Even when they knew the other person was lying, they just couldnât bear to expose the lie.
Both of them were doing the best for each other but pretended not to care.
He closed his eyes and tightened his arms around her.
âYou lost weight too.â
Of course she had lost weight.
When she started taking the antidote, she coughed up so much blood every day that her body grew weaker.
The sight of her suffering broke Lucasâ heart.
How he wished he could take her place and bear the pain for her.
In fact, he only came last night to give her a hug before leaving, but he couldnât resist her advances and made love to her.
This woman will be the death of me.
Forget it. Iâll do my best to hide it from her. Sheâll never find out.
*
The next morning, Ashlyn sneaked into the bathroom and took two antidotes when Lucas wasnât noticing.
When she walked out, Lucas was putting on his clothes.
âDid you arrange for Blair and Tinsor to start their internship in Haddock Group?â Lucas buttoned up his cufflinks and asked her in his low and sultry voice.
Ashlyn felt her ears burning as she nodded. âThey have nothing else to do anyway. Their summer break is approaching, so I decided to send them to Haddock Group.â
There were several other fresh graduates who started their internship together in Haddock Group.
âWhy are you so interested in Haddock Group?â Lucas suddenly changed the topic, gazing at her sharply.
Ashlynâs browed arched up. âBecause some of them are too despicable.â
Following that, her rosy lips curved into a smile. âWhy? Are you going to report me? What are you going to do? But Iâve heard that Haddock Group and Nolan Group are rivals. Are you sure you want to support Dixon?â
Hmph! Is he refusing to help me?
A devilish glint appeared in Lucasâ eyes. He was about to reply when Ashlyn cupped his chin and leaned closer to him. They were so close that they could hear each otherâs breathing.
At the same time, she could also see the gleam in his pupils clearly.
Even at such a close distance, no flaws could be found on his face.
He exuded an imposing aura when his brows were arched.
This man was both tempting and deadly.
Ashlyn fixated her gaze on his sexy lips. âLucas Nolan, please bear our relationship in mind. When you were on your business trip, Iâve come to a conclusion.â
âWhat is it?â Lucas spoke in his deep and husky voice.
As her lips were merely inches away from him, his Adamâs apple bobbed up and down.
He couldnât resist it when she took the lead.
âLife isnât easy, so we should appreciate the people around us.â With that, Ashlyn stood on her tiptoes to try to kiss him.
However, he pushed her away and glowered at her angrily. âHow can you flirt with me without acknowledging our relationship?â
Ashlyn lifted her head to look at the man before her while her heart was stirred with inexplicable emotions.
Without hesitation, she inched closer to him again.
Lucas nearly lost control at her eagerness.
Gripped her wrist, he picked her up, then placed her on his lap.
Shooting Ashlyn a wicked grin, he lowered his head and kissed her hard.
She felt the temperature of his body rising.
It was as though the man was punishing her.
His blood was almost boiling, and he was losing his reason.
Nevertheless, he eventually suppressed the urge to mold her body into his.
He promptly released her and took two steps backward.
Swiftly, he regained his composure. When he finally met Ashlynâs gaze, the blazing fire in his eyes had faded.