Chapter 598:

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Half an hour later, Sarah finished arranging the flowers. By then, Marvin had already made himself some tea and was sitting on the sofa, watching her.

“You really don’t behave like a guest,” Sarah couldn’t resist pointing out.

Marvin handed her a glass of warm water. “Sarah, you were the one who kissed me first. Why would I act like a guest?”

Sarah was at a loss for words.

“Or are you planning to deny it and pretend nothing happened? Seriously? Everyone already thinks you’re going to be my wife.”

у𝗼𝘶r 𝘯𝗲𝘹t 𝘧𝘢𝘃o𝗋𝗶te 𝗿е𝘢𝖽 𝘪𝘴 on 𝗴a𝗅ո𝗼𝘷𝗲𝘭𝘀.с𝘰𝗆

“You’re cornering me, aren’t you?” Sarah took a sip of water and shot him a look. “It’s all up to you.”

She set the glass down, struggling to find the right words.

Marvin stayed calm, simply waiting for her to speak.

“Marvin, have you really thought this through?” Sarah asked, even though the question felt oddly out of place.

Marvin found it amusing.

She was still questioning his intentions.

He rose, walked over to her, and looked her straight in the eyes. “Sarah, I’m not Quincy. I know what I want.”

Sarah smiled. “Mr. Hill, why do you always take subtle digs at your cousin?”

“I’m not criticizing anyone,” Marvin replied, a little defensive.

He lifted his hand tentatively, gauging her reaction. When she didn’t pull away, he pinched her earlobe lightly. “I’m criticizing my former rival in love,” he explained.

Sarah couldn’t help it—laughter bubbled out of her.

Seizing the moment, Marvin asked, “Sarah, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Sarah shook her head.

Unfazed, Marvin stepped closer.

Instinctively, Sarah backed up, but her heel caught on the edge of the sofa. She wobbled, suddenly with nowhere to retreat. Marvin reacted in a flash, catching her by the waist and steadying her.

“Then how about you consider being my girlfriend first?” he said, settling for the next best thing.

“Mr. Hill,” she said, trying to sound serious as she pressed a hand against his chest, “don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Are you unfamiliar with your reputation?”

Mr. Hill was known for being ruthless.

Marvin acknowledged it with a slight lift of his brows. However, he didn’t bother defending the image he presented to the world.

“That’s true for outsiders,” he said. “But with you, it’s different.”

“How am I different?” Sarah tipped her chin up slightly. “Stay away from me.”

Their toes were practically touching.

At her request, Marvin took a half step back, still keeping her within arm’s reach.

“You told me to stay away, and I did,” he said, demonstrating his compliance with the movement. “Now, can’t you see it? You’re different from everyone else in my eyes.”

This time, Sarah couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

Her smile bloomed fully, and her eyes sparkled like starlight.

Marvin’s gaze sharpened, as if he couldn’t look away.

She stayed quiet, letting the unspoken words hang between them.

Marvin, patient like a seasoned hunter, waited without rushing her. Finally, she broke the silence.

“All right then, Mr. Hill,” she conceded. “Congratulations. You’ve secured yourself a girlfriend.”

For a beat, Marvin went utterly still, as if time had frozen around him.

Sarah waved a hand in front of his face. “What, are you having second thoughts—”

Before she could finish the tease, Marvin snapped out of it. In one swift motion, he pulled her in by the back of her head and captured her mouth in a deep, urgent kiss that made her eyes widen.

Sarah tried to pull away, startled, but he only drew her closer.

They fell back onto the sofa together.

What started out clumsy turned quickly into something practiced and undeniably intoxicating. When he finally released her, Sarah sucked in a breath, gasping for air.

She felt something hard pressing against her, and her eyes flicked down for a split second before darting away as if burned.

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