Chapter 10

Zelvinia sensed his movement and her whole body instantly stiffened. The hand holding the food trembled slightly in front of him. Daniel's smile grew wider, and he suddenly grabbed her trembling hand with his other hand, while the hand on her waist slid into her clothes in an instant.

Zelvinia's eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock. At the same time, he took a bite of the food in her hand and, before she could react, kissed her open mouth. The food in his mouth slipped into hers, and then he leisurely let go of her. She didn't even have time to close her mouth and think; the sudden spiciness made her cough violently. The spicy taste hit her senses, and her tear ducts opened, causing her big eyes to fill with mist.

Panicking, Zelvinia grabbed the water cup on the table and gulped down the entire glass, but her tongue, already numb from the spiciness, still burned fiercely.

"What's wrong, baby? Is it that bad?" His teasing voice sounded in her ear, and she could only glare at him hatefully, unable to say a word.

"Oh... are you mad because I fed you without warning?" He suddenly seemed to understand and looked at her as he spoke.

But Zelvinia couldn't hear his words; the waves of spiciness kept assaulting her senses, and the mist in her eyes turned into pools of water, which rolled down her cheeks with a blink.

Now, not just her face, but her entire body felt scorching hot. She couldn't speak and could only gesture for him to move aside.

She needed to go to the bathroom to rinse thoroughly; she couldn't stand it anymore.

"What's wrong, baby? Angry? No need to cry over it," he said, clearly not intending to let her pass.

Tears kept streaming down Zelvinia's face, which was bright red. She couldn't take it anymore and kicked at him. He grabbed her ankle, almost making her fall flat on her back. Just as her behind was about to hit the ground, he exerted force, and she ended up sitting on his lap.

Looking up, she saw her flushed face, watery eyes, and... swollen lips in the mirror?

She gently touched them; they were still numb. Was it the pepper powder, or the result of his kiss?

His lips were soft and wet, and his kisses were domineering yet gentle... Oh my, what was she thinking? Did she actually... like his kiss?

She must be crazy, absolutely crazy... Zelvinia scooped some cold water and buried her face in it, hoping the chill would clear her muddled thoughts. After washing for a long time, the burning sensation on her face finally subsided. She turned and walked out of the bathroom.

Looking at the long corridor leading to the private room, she paused. How foolish, if she didn't run now, when would she?

She turned abruptly, but before she could take two steps, she bumped into a hard chest. The collision made Zelvinia dizzy, and as she rubbed her aching forehead, a pleasant voice came from above her head.

"Baby, that's not how you throw yourself into someone's arms..." Daniel frowned, looking at her, "Let me see, did you get hurt?"

Zelvinia closed her eyes repeatedly; this pervert must have done it on purpose! She pushed his hand away and glared at him, "I want to go home..."

"Go home? So early? In such a hurry?" He leaned closer, his voice teasing.

"Shut up and move..." Zelvinia had truly had enough of him. How could anyone be so shameless and brazen? She didn't care about her image anymore and shouted at him.

"Okay, okay, let's go home..." Daniel suddenly put on a gentlemanly face, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and walked toward the restaurant's exit.

This might have been his most natural action, but she felt extremely awkward. She struggled continuously, but he didn't loosen his grip at all.

Daniel looked at her, his face always adorned with a handsome smile. Watching her turn away, he said to her elegant figure, "Miss Zelvinia, I know you don't want to see me again, but we will meet again..."

Seeing her stop because of his words, his smile grew even wider.

"Mr. Daniel, that's just your thought. Not everyone can be controlled by you..." Zelvinia said, lifting her head and walking forward.

"You may not be under my control, but that doesn't mean others aren't..." he whispered, looking at her back.

Hearing the sound of a car driving away, she cursed him again in her heart, calling him a pervert, shameless, and brazen...

She hadn't walked far when she heard the sound of a car crash behind her. Zelvinia froze in place.

No way? She was just saying it; could it really have happened?

She turned around tremblingly and blinked several times before seeing that the car that had hit the roadside fire hydrant didn't seem to be his.

A figure staggered out of the car, cursing.

Zelvinia walked closer and exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle Theodore?"

Theodore, reeking of alcohol, kicked the car that had hit the hydrant while cursing.

"Uncle Theodore, are you okay?" Zelvinia stepped forward to support him, frowning at the strong smell of alcohol.

"Zel...vinia? Zelvinia, what are you doing here? You're back? Hahaha... good, good, good..." Theodore, with unsteady steps, babbled incoherently.

"Good, my foot! Let's go..." Zelvinia struggled to support him and finally managed to get him home.

"Hey, Zel...vinia, don't... listen to your... stepmom's nonsense! The company, what's wrong with it?" Theodore suddenly seemed to sober up, hiccuping and propping himself up to speak to her, "Don't worry, Zelvinia, with your uncle here, the company won't... won't... go under..." After saying that, he collapsed onto the sofa again.

"Why do you drink so much... it's really dangerous..." Cai Yaqin muttered, but Zelvinia just stood aside, watching coldly.