Chapter 107

Chapter 107

“You did all that just to make York believe you’re a weak, helpless, innocent girl?” Tu Nan asked.

It fit her stereotype of the patients in this hospital perfectly.

“He said he’d stay with me forever.” Emily sat back down, resting her chin on her hand as she spoke airily. “I want to see if he can actually do it.”

“And if he can’t?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” Emily shrugged. “At least he’s being quite well-behaved for now.”

Tu Nan almost laughed out loud.

“It seems you don’t know York at all, or rather, you don’t have a clear understanding of just how shameless he is.”

Emily wasn’t some love-struck fool, which made everything much easier. Tu Nan had originally worried that Emily might be reluctant to let go once she learned York’s true colors, but now it seemed she didn’t need to have that concern.

“What do you mean?” Emily looked at her.

“Are you interested in watching a show?” The corners of Tu Nan’s mouth curled slightly. “Perhaps you’ll change your mind.”

Emily stared at her fixedly. After a moment, she spoke softly. “You were the one who lured York away, weren’t you?”

“Yes,” Tu Nan didn’t deny it.

“Do you have a grudge against him?” Emily asked curiously.

“Strictly speaking, not really.”

“Then why do it?”

“Because…” Tu Nan thought for a moment. “Probably just to spite him.”

Aside from the mission requirements, she was holding a grudge.

York had always looked down on women, viewing them as mere playthings. Tu Nan wanted to see what kind of expression he would make when he realized he was being played like a fiddle by the very women he despised most.

Would he beg for mercy, or would he break out in a torrent of abuse?

The mere thought of that scene was immensely entertaining to her.

“I hate it when people plot against me,” Emily said. “But I don’t see that kind of filth in your eyes.”

“So, I’m willing to watch this ‘show’ you mentioned.”

Emily shrugged. “What do I need to do?”

As long as Emily was willing to cooperate, everything would fall into place.

“Just find a good spot and enjoy the show,” Tu Nan said with a smile.

*

York walked out of the hospital building with a grim expression.

That old woman-he still held leverage over her, yet she actually dared to threaten him.

He wondered if he had been too kind to her; he needed to find a way to make her suffer a bit.

Fuming, he walked toward the gazebo, forcing a smile onto his face. But when he looked up, he froze.

Emily was not in the gazebo. In her place sat a noble-looking girl with black hair.

Her skin was as white as snow, and her lips were as red as blood. When she looked toward him, her gaze was cold and haughty, instantly igniting York’s desire for conquest.

Snow White.

Of course he recognized her. Although their rooms were adjacent, Snow White was incredibly stuck-up and never spoke to others, leaving him with no way to get close to her.

He glanced around suspiciously, slowly climbed the steps, and walked over to her side. “Excuse me, did you see a girl sitting here? Her legs are injured, and she can’t walk.”

Maria recalled for a moment. “A nurse came for her just now. Apparently, her mother was looking for her. The nurse took her away.”

Emily’s wheelchair was indeed gone.

York felt relieved.

“I see. Thank you for the answer.” He bowed gracefully, a troubled expression crossing his face. “If I can’t find her, I’ll be in quite a bit of trouble.”
Predictably, Maria asked with curiosity, “And why is that?”

York appeared deeply conflicted. After hesitating for a long moment, he let out a heavy sigh. “The young lady sitting here just now is the daughter of Duke Charles. I had met her once before, and for some reason, she fell in love with me at first sight. She’s been forcing me to be with her.”

Maria arched an eyebrow. “To think such a thing happened. Then why didn’t you just refuse her?”

York’s hesitation grew more pronounced. “I did refuse her at first. But who could have known? Because I rejected her, she actually threw herself down the stairs… The Duchess was absolutely furious. Ignoring my protests, she’s trying to force me to be with Miss Charles.”

The girl before him showed an expression of indignation, exactly as he had expected. “That is simply too much.”

She looked up at York, a flicker of something strange crossing her face for a split second. It vanished so quickly that even York didn’t notice it.

Maria continued, “Then again, for a man as handsome as you, it doesn’t seem all that strange that she would fall for you.”

York felt a surge of joy. Suppressing his true emotions, he lowered his gaze, managing to look quite despondent.

“But… I already have someone else in my heart.”

Maria’s voice trailed off, perfectly balanced between fifty percent surprise and fifty percent sorrow. “I wonder who the lucky girl is. Does she know?”

York looked at her with profound affection. “Actually… she isn’t very familiar with me. I’ve seen her many times, but I never had the courage to step forward and speak to her. Perhaps it’s because I’m too insecure; I always felt that someone like me simply isn’t worthy of her.”

Meeting his gaze, Maria paused as if she had a faint inkling of what was coming. She lowered her eyes. “You’re being too modest. A man like you-any woman would fall in love with you.”

Maria struggled to keep a look of disgust off her face.

Where on earth had Tu Nan learned such cheesy lines?

“Really?” The smugness on York’s face was almost impossible to hide. He took a step forward, slightly losing his composure, his voice turning husky. “Is that true? Then, if I said…”

He stopped at just the right moment, leaving the rest unsaid.

Maria looked startled. She raised her head in a panic, a glint in her eyes that gave York boundless courage.

“If I said that the person I love is you?” he declared passionately, his tone like someone reciting poetry.

Maria gave her thigh a hard pinch, causing a misty shimmer to appear in her eyes.

“I… I must be dreaming. Do you… do you really like me?”

York gently placed a finger against her lips. He felt the girl’s body stiffen for a moment and hid the triumph in his eyes.

*What a stupid, gullible girl. So what if she looks as cold as ice on the outside? She’s still been won over by a few sweet words.*

“Call me York,” he said tenderly.

“York…” Maria forced a smile. Then, as if remembering something, she hurriedly pulled his hand down and asked, “Since that’s the case, how can I bear to let you stay by someone else’s side?”

York was overjoyed. Finally, they were getting to the point.

Compared to Emily Charles, Maria’s status as a princess was undoubtedly more noble and would be of much greater benefit to him.

“It’s just…” His eyes clouded with worry. “Her parents’ status is too exalted. I’m just an ordinary man; I have no way to oppose them.”

Maria let go of his hand and slammed her palm onto the table beside them. She let out a cold snort. “He’s just a Duke. Do you really think I’d be afraid of him?”