Elizabeth picked up her fork, a glimmer of anticipation lighting up her usually indifferent eyes. She grabbed a piece of meat, put it in her mouth, paused, and then swallowed it.
Alexander stared at her for three seconds before feeling reassured. He also picked up a piece of meat with his fork.
Then, setting the fork back down, he slightly moved his lips and said, "First time cooking, it's a bit underdone."
Elizabeth nodded understandingly, "Yes, it is underdone. It's actually raw."
Alexander didn't embarrass himself further. In the end, he had his assistant order takeout for him, vowing never to cook again.
After finishing the five-star restaurant takeout, it was almost seven o'clock. Elizabeth began to hurry Alexander, "Your job here is done, you should go now. This is your payment."
This feeling of being used and then discarded actually made Alexander laugh. He teased her in a low voice, "Here, little B, consider this three hundred dollars as snack money from me."
"Oh," Elizabeth quickly took back the money.
Alexander didn't know what to say.
He suspected that Elizabeth probably never intended to give it to him in the first place.
As Alexander was about to leave, Elizabeth handed him the day's trash, "Could you please take this out?"
Alexander's expression was indifferent, with a face full of rejection."
Yet, seeing her innocent big eyes, whether bewitched or something else, he naturally took it from her.
...
Standing upright in front of the trash can, Alexander looked at his hands, which had never done any menial work, his handsome face filled with complex emotions.
So what got into him today?
He had planned just to tease Elizabeth a bit.
Why did he agree to do this menial work? Was his dignity only worth three hundred dollars?
Thinking about Elizabeth's languid and indifferent eyes, Alexander adjusted his tie.
It wasn't Elizabeth that was toxic, it was her eyes.
A cellphone ring suddenly broke the silence in the empty alleyway. Alexander calmly pressed the answer button.
"Hey, Alex, done with your workout?" Samuel was incredibly curious.
Alexander chuckled indifferently, "How's it your concern?"
He would take the indignity of playing servant today to his grave.
There was a long pause on the other end before Samuel ventured, "Alex, do you have a crush on that young lady?"
"Do you take me for an animal?" Alexander strode forward, long-legged. Something crossed his mind, and he laughed, "Well, she is quite an adorable little girl."
Samuel warned, "You know, that's a dangerous thought."
In truth, Alexander had no interest in Elizabeth. Perhaps their first meeting left a unique impression, sparking his playful mood this time around.
However, the atmosphere did eventually take a weird turn.
If Emily could be half as obedient and quiet as Elizabeth, he wouldn't always be grabbing her by the collar.
So annoying.
His sister could be infuriating.
...
After watching Alexander leave, Elizabeth turned her face and flicked her eyelid, "Come out."
Moments later, three tall and erect figures descended the stairs, exuding an air of lethal intensity. Clearly, they were trained men.
"Professor Lawrence," the man leading the pack respectfully said, "We are here to protect you. Don't worry, we usually stay hidden."
Elizabeth looked at him and unhesitatingly said, "Oh, it's you, Nick Green."
Nick was flattered, "I didn't expect Professor Lawrence to remember me."
"I have a good memory," Elizabeth said.
Nick felt secretly honored. Professor Lawrence was truly intelligent. Remembering the man he had seen earlier, he couldn't help but ask, "Do you know Mr. Williams?"
Elizabeth shook her head, "He doesn't know me."
Nick felt relieved but warned, "Professor Lawrence, you might not know this, but Mr. Williams doesn't think highly of you. My suggestion is to stay away from him."
Elizabeth dismissed it, "It's fine. I've had my revenge. We're even now."
Nick was puzzled.
Thinking back to Mr. Williams lugging a trash bag downstairs, looking miserable, he felt he might have missed something.
