Tempting Him to Lose Control

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Has Nothing to Do With Him

Claire Kendall suppressed her revulsion and agreed, "Mr. Lynch, I’ll be there."

The following day at noon, in the main hall of The Arbor, each booth was separated by elegant, antique-style screens, offering excellent privacy.

Claire Kendall wore a conservative, solid-colored dress that accentuated her slender figure.

Ethan Lynch looked up and saw her. His expression immediately darkened, his tone displeased.

"You’re wearing *that* to meet me? Is this what you call sincerity?"

Claire Kendall calmly sat down across from him, a faint smile on her face.

She unhurriedly opened her purse, revealing a tempting piece of black lace, and spoke softly to placate him.

"There are too many people here, so it’s not a good place to show you my... sincerity. I’ve brought what Mr. Lynch likes. Once the cooperation agreement is finalized, we can go to your place to celebrate. I’ll wear it just for you then."

Her few words were enough to capture his interest. The tension in Ethan Lynch’s face instantly eased, replaced by a lecherous, intrigued smile.

"The aloof and condescending campus queen... I never thought you’d be so wild in private. You really know how to play, don’t you? What a contrast."

He leaned back in his chair. "But you’re sensible, I’ll give you that. This is just my type."

He crossed his legs, took a sip of tea, his attitude utterly condescending.

"Claire Kendall, once we’re family, you’re going to quit that crappy designer job and focus on serving me at home."

"And my mom... she has a bad temper. Don’t walk around with a long face all day. Even if she yells at you, you have to smile and take it."

"I’m a man destined for great things, so it’s inevitable that I’ll have other women. You’re not allowed to be jealous. Even if I bring them home, you’ll have to take care of them obediently. Got it?"

The more Ethan Lynch spoke, the more smug he became, and the more vile his words grew.

Under the table, Claire Kendall’s knuckles turned white, but for the sake of the contract, she could only endure it.

"I understand. I can agree to all of your demands."

She took the contract out of her purse.

"This is the building materials contract between the Kendall Group and the Lynch Group. Mr. Lynch, please take a look. If there are no issues, you can sign it."

She held out a pen.

Ethan Lynch, shrewd and cynical, glanced at the contract nonchalantly and waved a dismissive hand.

"We’re about to be married. There’s no rush on the business deal..."

’He was just using this to string Claire Kendall along; there was no way he would sign so easily.’

He seized the opportunity to grab her pale, soft hand, caressing it greedily.

"The campus queen is truly a campus queen. So fair, so soft."

Claire Kendall struggled to pull her hand back and gestured toward the dishes.

"Mr. Lynch, the food here is quite good. Please, have some."

"But I don’t feel like eating right now..." Ethan Lynch’s expression grew even more predatory.

The atmosphere was tense and awkward when a small figure came pattering out from behind the screen.

"Fairy Princess! It really is you!"

Bobby’s eyes were wide as he ran to her side. He tilted his head back to look up at her, his voice sweet and soft.

"My mommy, my uncle, and I are having lunch right over there!"

Bobby pointed to the booth right next to Claire Kendall’s.

’Through the screen, she couldn’t see Miles Warren, but they were so close. Could he have heard her conversation with Ethan Lynch?’

’Just great. The misunderstanding just got even deeper...’

A sense of helplessness washed over Claire Kendall.

Bobby leaned in and whispered cautiously, "Fairy Princess, are you mad at Uncle? You’re not eating with me and Uncle, you’re here with this—"

The little one paused, then said seriously in his childish voice, "—this weird man."

Ethan Lynch loathed children, especially one who had just ruined his fun. "Where did this little brat come from? Get out!"

Bobby jumped in fright and hid behind Claire Kendall.

She said in a low voice, "Mr. Lynch, he’s only a child. There’s no need to get angry."

"So what if he’s a child? Little punk has no manners..." Ethan Lynch swore.

"If a child of the Warren Family has no manners, then the Lynch Family’s standards must be truly something special."

A deep, chilling voice came from behind the screen as Miles Warren emerged.

"Bobby, come here."

As he spoke, his sharp gaze swept over the contract spread out on the table.

The chill in his eyes grew more intense, and the corner of his mouth curved into a sneer.

’Hah. So she really is after something.’

"Uncle..." Bobby was reluctant to leave Claire Kendall, but seeing the unusual coldness in his uncle’s eyes, he didn’t dare hesitate and ran back to his side.

Seeing Miles Warren, Ethan Lynch practically scrambled out of his chair.

"Mr. Warren?! This is the young master of the Warren family! It’s all a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding..."

Ethan Lynch bowed deeply, fawning over him. "It was my fault for failing to recognize someone so important. I’m the one with no manners, it’s me!"

’Ethan Lynch wanted to slap himself across the face.’

’He shot a vicious glare back at Claire Kendall. That bitch must have known the kid was a Warren and didn’t tell him! She did it on purpose to watch him make a fool of himself.’

Maya Warren crossed her arms, her presence formidable. "You don’t need to concern yourself with my son’s upbringing, Mr. Lynch. And from now on, the Warren Group won’t be concerning itself with any partnership with the Lynch Family."

Her words were sharp and final, leaving no room for argument.

They choked the words stuck in Ethan Lynch’s throat.

His face was ashen. He tried to explain, "Mr. Warren, I..."

Without a single glance at Claire Kendall, Miles Warren picked up Bobby and strode briskly out of the restaurant.

Maya Warren paused, gave Claire Kendall a long, meaningful look, and then followed him out.

’The last time they’d seen each other was at Louis Warren’s birthday banquet.’

’And now this...’

Having lost his chance to partner with and suck up to the Warren Group, Ethan Lynch’s fury found its target.

He stormed back to the booth, snatched the contract from the table, and ripped it to shreds.

"Claire Kendall! You’re a goddamn jinx!"

"You ruined my deal with the Warren Group!"

He stormed off, muttering curses as he went.

Outside the restaurant, the rain was pouring down.

Inside the black Phaeton, the heat was on full blast.

Bobby sat next to Maya Warren, pouting as he stared out the window.

"I didn’t even get to talk to Fairy Princess! Uncle is mean! I don’t like you anymore."

"Bobby, don’t be difficult," Maya Warren gently chided.

The little boy’s lip trembled. Feeling wronged, he laid his head on his mother’s lap and fell silent.

’She could already see the change in the dynamic between her brother and Claire Kendall.’

She looked out the window and reminded him in a low voice, "The Arbor is a bit out of the way. In a downpour like this, she’ll never be able to get a cab."

Miles Warren kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his voice glacial.

"That has nothing to do with me."

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