Tempting Him to Lose Control

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Studied for 8 Years, and Finally Got to Use It

Claire Kendall leaned over the edge of the bed, her chin tilted up, a serious expression written all over her face.

Miles Warren resignedly pinched her cheek. "What’s going on in that head of yours? Having you to take care of is more than enough."

She hmphed. "It had better be."

Claire Kendall took the bowl to the kitchen and washed it clean.

The bedroom door was open, and from his position on the bed, Miles Warren could see her back as she bustled about in the kitchen.

Miles Warren drew his eyes back and looked at the injury behind his knee, the corners of his lips curling into a slight smile.

He picked up his phone and called his assistant. "Scrub all news related to me from X. I don’t want a single article left."

For two days, Claire Kendall never left his side, diligently caring for Miles Warren, and his leg injury was almost healed.

"Julian Wilde said Wallace Sutton gave us two invitations to a networking event in Aethel. He asked if we want to go."

"The head of Wallace Apparel is in Aethel?" Claire Kendall shot up from the sofa.

’OCHH’s partnership contract with Wallace had just been signed a few days ago. If I get a chance to speak with Wallace Sutton in person, maybe I can even secure exclusive renewal rights! That would dramatically increase the chances of reviving OCHH.’

Claire Kendall nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, we have to go! I’ll call a caregiver to look after you."

"I’ll go with you."

"But your leg..."

"It’s almost completely healed."

Claire Kendall didn’t try to stop him, running barefoot toward the walk-in closet. "I need to pick out an outfit, something that stands out."

’This is the first time Wallace Apparel is hosting a banquet in Aethel. A lot of people will be there. If I want Wallace Sutton to notice me, I’ll need to put in some extra effort.’

"Wear this."

Miles Warren handed her a garment bag. Inside was a long dress made of cloud gauze, styled after the Republican era—a unique fusion of a traditional qipao and Parisian chic.

"Is this..." Claire Kendall recognized it at a glance. "A signature piece from Wallace Apparel’s early days?"

"Mhm."

"How did you get it?"

Miles Warren didn’t explain. "Go try it on."

Claire Kendall didn’t even go into the bathroom. Right there in front of Miles Warren, she unabashedly slipped off her nightgown and changed into the cloud gauze qipao.

As glimpses of her fair skin flashed before his eyes, Miles Warren instinctively turned away.

"Does it not look good?" She scampered around to face him, asking with a tilt of her head.

The pale pink qipao clung to her waistline, accentuating her curves. The hemline fell just above her knees, revealing a sliver of her fair legs.

"Beautiful."

"That’s it?" Claire Kendall pouted. "Dr. Warren, your vocabulary for compliments is so limited. You’re more creative in bed."

...

Claire Kendall paired the dress with strappy high heels, but the straps were just loosely wound around her ankles, the ends dangling untied.

She glanced down, her brow furrowing slightly. ’I love these heels, but I hate tying the straps. I can never get them right!’

Just as she was about to bend down to tie them, a hand gripped her wrist.

"Don’t move. I’ll do it."

"I can do it myself. Your injury hasn’t healed yet."

Miles Warren ignored her protest. His long fingers took hold of the black straps, the warmth of his fingertips brushing against the skin of her ankle.

"There are marks on these ribbons from being pulled too tight. You’ve never been able to tie these properly, have you?"

Claire Kendall, surprised he had noticed such a small detail, let out a dry "mhm."

Miles Warren held the satin ribbons, slowly and deliberately wrapping them twice around her ankles before deftly tying them into perfect bows. He even offset them slightly for a more striking visual effect.

Claire Kendall wiggled her foot. The tightness was perfect. Not only did the bows look beautiful, but more importantly, they felt secure and wouldn’t come undone.

She looked up in amazement. "Dr. Warren, you’re incredible! Successful people really are talented at everything!"

"I used to love wearing shoes like this in college," she said, "but I could never tie them right. They always came loose."

Miles Warren stood up and picked up her bag. "Let’s go."

’Talent? What talent could he have for a woman’s high heels? He’d just seen her wear them so often back in the day, always fumbling clumsily with the straps. So he had found tutorial videos and practiced tying them, again and again.’

’A skill he’d learned almost eight years ago. Who would have thought today would be the first time he actually got to use it.’

’But he was glad—he finally had.’

The networking event was held on the top floor of the Aethel Convention Center. In other words, it was a welcome banquet for Wallace Sutton’s arrival in Aethel.

Claire Kendall entered the venue on Miles Warren’s arm.

She reminded him in a low voice, "If your leg starts to bother you, don’t try to tough it out. Just tell me, and we’ll leave immediately."

Miles Warren gave a subtle nod.

The phone in his suit pocket vibrated. The name "Jonathan Keller" flashed on the screen.

Claire Kendall saw it. "Trouble at the hospital?"

"Mhm."

"You should take that."

"Alright." Miles Warren agreed and walked toward a deserted corner of the hall.

Claire Kendall walked a little further in on her own and noticed all eyes suddenly turning toward her, followed by the sound of hushed whispers.

She wondered, ’Is this qipao really that eye-catching?’ But there was something about their appraising gazes that made her deeply uncomfortable.

She tried to relax and act nonchalant, but a sharp, piercing voice cut through from behind her.

"Well, well, Claire Kendall. You really do get everywhere, don’t you!"

Yvonne Warren was wearing a long, silvery-white gown, with Stella Locke standing beside her.

Seeing Stella Locke, Claire Kendall instinctively glanced toward Miles Warren in the distance, her fingers tightening unconsciously.

’Did he insist on coming today because he knew Stella Locke would be here?’

She suppressed the pang of bitterness in her heart. Not wanting to get into it with Yvonne Warren here, she chose to ignore her and simply walk around her.

Yvonne Warren pursued her relentlessly, swirling the wine in her glass. "Claire Kendall, how can you have the nerve to be parading around with Miles Warren at a time like this?"

"I’m truly impressed by your nerve. After becoming the laughingstock of all Aethel, you still have the gall to show up dressed to the nines."

’Laughingstock of Aethel? What does that have to do with Miles Warren?’

Claire Kendall froze, her brows knitting together tightly.

Yvonne Warren, thinking she’d hit a nerve, continued her arrogant tirade.

"Where did you dig up those rags you’re wearing? If you’re really that broke and can’t afford a gown, you could always beg me. I could help you out. After all, you were my auntie once."

’Auntie?’

Before Claire Kendall could react, Stella Locke coldly cut her off.

"Hah. Those ’rags’ she’s wearing? Take a closer look."

Stella Locke looked at Yvonne Warren, her eyes filled with impatience and disgust.

"That vintage qipao she’s wearing is the crown jewel of Wallace Apparel’s inaugural collection. It’s a collector’s item now—practically priceless."

Claire Kendall knew the qipao was precious, but she never imagined it was *that* valuable.

’Did Miles Warren just have me wear a museum piece out to a party?’

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!