Chapter Seventy

“What exactly did you do to her?” Arthur shouted angrily at Maria, his arm locked tightly around Shadowmoon’s waist.

“Hey, you’re hurting me!” Shadowmoon protested, struggling to free herself.

“Shut up!” Arthur snapped, turning to glare at her.

Shadowmoon shot Arthur a sidelong glance, muttering under her breath, “You’re the one at fault, why take it out on me?”

“What are you mumbling about?”

“Huh? Nothing,” Shadowmoon replied while trying to pry Arthur’s fingers from her waist.

“Spencer, I don’t want this to happen again!” Arthur said coldly to Maria, his words merciless. He didn’t wait for a reply, turning away to resume his struggle with Shadowmoon over whether he should loosen his grip.

“I said, could you let go a little?”

“No way, why should I?”

“If you don’t, I won’t be able to breathe!”

“But the moment I let go, you’ll disappear.”

“If I disappear, can’t you just find me?”

“I just think it’s a hassle to look for you!”

Shadowmoon jerked her head up, her eyes wide and furious as she glared at Arthur.

“I knew it, you just find me troublesome.”

Arthur sneered, “At last you’ve realized it. I suppose my efforts weren’t in vain—”

“That’s enough! Are you two finished? If you want to flirt, kindly take it elsewhere!” Maria, unable to bear their intimate antics any longer, exploded in anger, storming out of the room and leaving the pair behind.

Arthur and Shadowmoon were both taken aback by Maria’s words. They watched her leave, then turned to face each other. The teasing expression on Arthur’s face quickly faded into seriousness as he stared at Shadowmoon. “I think it’s time we had a proper talk.”

“Yes, we really should,” Shadowmoon replied with a gentle smile, slipping out of Arthur’s grasp and striding away with confidence.

Arthur watched her elegant figure, a wicked smile curling his lips. He quickly caught up, extending his long arm, bending at the waist, and swept Shadowmoon up in his arms, carrying her toward the villa’s exit.

“Hey, what are you doing? Put me down! I can walk on my own!” Shadowmoon protested, pounding Arthur’s chest and writhing in his hold.

“So noisy.” Arthur waved his hand, pressing Shadowmoon’s head into his shirt to silence her.

Darkness enveloped Shadowmoon’s vision; she paused, then quickly realized what was happening. This damned man! Using that trick again—does he think I’m clay for him to mold as he pleases?

Her violet eyes glinted with mischief. This time, I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine!

Quietly, Shadowmoon reached out both hands, making trouble on Arthur’s chest.

Arthur’s steps faltered, his expression darkening. He gritted his teeth. “What are you doing?”

Shadowmoon’s voice was muffled. “Nothing.”

“Then what are your hands doing?”

“Oh, just stretching my muscles,” she replied, her fingers finding a small bump. Her mouth curled into a mischievous smile. Pinching it between her thumb and forefinger, she gave it a sharp tug.

Arthur hissed through his teeth, caught off guard. “Are you stretching your muscles, or mine?”

“Oh, sorry, I thought you’d gotten yourself some new, unusually shaped buttons.”

Could you be any more ridiculous?

Arthur said nothing more, only tightened his hold and quickened his pace.

With a thud, Shadowmoon was unceremoniously tossed into the car seat. Arthur slid in beside her.

Shadowmoon rubbed her sore backside, sitting up abruptly and shouting at Arthur, “Why so rough? That hurt!”

She complained, but received no reply from Arthur. Curious, she glanced at him—and the look she saw sent a chill down her spine.

“Um, listen, let me explain, ah—”