Chapter 152 Flirting
"Isn't it because you don't want me around?" Ambrose sulkily picked up where Scarlett left off.
Scarlett was stunned for two seconds. She didn't want to get tangled up with him because there was no future for them. Since it couldn't last, why bother with all the trouble?
She didn't want to continue this topic, so she simply ignored it, not taking his bait, and said flatly, "Don't investigate anymore."
Ambrose saw through her unwillingness to talk. He felt frustrated but couldn't force it. Just then, the light turned green, and the car behind them honked. He had no choice but to let her go and start the car.
"After this investigation, if you don't want me to look into things anymore, then I won't," Ambrose said.
Scarlett straightened up in her seat, her mind in chaos. She didn't dare imagine that Ulysses was the man from that night. It couldn't be possible.
"I don't believe what Ulysses said just now, either. Last time when Bianca posted that video, he also lied and said he posted it, so I don't believe him."
She was saying this to Ambrose, but also to herself.
"Okay."
"What Grandpa said yesterday, just pretend you didn't hear it." Ambrose's tone was cold and dismissive.
The car moved slowly forward. At this hour, traffic on the main road was still heavy, and the speed was slow.
The car was very quiet, so quiet that the streetlights fell on their faces like scenes from a black and white movie.
Still affected by the shock from earlier, Scarlett's face looked pale. Ambrose suddenly bringing up this topic probably meant he knew what Scarlett had said.
He wanted to hear her response, right? How should she answer?
After thinking for a few seconds, she said, "I understand."
Ambrose turned to glance at her, checking if her words matched her heart, but she faced away from him. He had to give up, turn his head back, and focus on driving.
For the rest of the journey, Scarlett didn't say another word until they reached Lakeside Garden. As the car drove into Lakeside Garden, Scarlett got out, and Ambrose wanted to follow.
"You should go back!" Scarlett stopped him from getting out.
Ambrose pointed to his face. "The injury from getting hit earlier, help me take care of it."
Scarlett felt a bit helpless about how he could always find reasons to stick around. The injury on his face was because she had grabbed onto him, which led to him taking that punch. She had to agree to let him come in.
Back at home, Scarlett took out the medical kit, found some external medicine for bruises, and applied it to him.
Ambrose sat on the sofa, head tilted back, letting Scarlett use a cotton swab to apply medicine to his face. They were very close, and he could smell her scent—light and comforting.
He stared at her without blinking. Scarlett naturally noticed his gaze and tried to stay calm, but with him staring at her so directly, her eyelashes couldn't help but flutter. She couldn't take it and scolded him.
"Close your eyes."
Ambrose chuckled, teasing, "You won't even let me look?"
Scarlett put on a stern face. "Do you want the medicine or not?"
Ambrose raised an eyebrow but obediently closed his eyes, though his mouth didn't stop.
"Your eyelids are trembling."
When he said this, Scarlett couldn't help but smile, her lips curving up. She'd never seen anyone so bad. She pressed harder as she applied the medicine.
"Lighter!" He felt pain and frowned.
"If it hurts, shut up." She scolded him harshly, and he complained unhappily.
"Can't look, can't talk—you're too mean to me."
Who's being mean to whom?
Ambrose loved to turn things around. Just as she was about to retort, she saw him suddenly open his eyes, pull her into his arms, and kiss the corner of her lips.
"Be even meaner to me, okay?" He coaxed in a low, husky voice.
Scarlett frowned, thinking his brain had gone bad, and asked sternly, "Do you want the medicine or not?"
"Yes." He tilted his head back.
Scarlett wasn't comfortable with this position and scolded, "Sit properly so I can apply it."
Ambrose had no choice but to let her go and sit back in his original position.
After Scarlett finished applying the medicine, she packed up the medical kit while Ambrose half-reclined on the sofa, head tilted, watching Scarlett crouching on the floor tidying up.
"Looking like this, it's not convenient to go back. Let me stay here tonight!"
"If you don't go home, my lie will be easily exposed," she said.
She'd guessed he would try to stay, but she had her ways.
Ambrose sighed. "Then if I help you keep up the lie, what's my reward?"
Scarlett didn't respond to that. She put away the medicine kit, stood up, glanced at him sideways, and shooed him away. "Medicine's done, go back!"
With that, she started to walk away. Ambrose grabbed her wrist, said nothing, but gently rubbed her hand with his pinky finger. Scarlett knew what this hint meant.
She said with a fake smile, "I'm a bit tired tonight, don't need a man."
With that, she pulled her hand away and walked toward the bedroom, making a point to remind him, "Close the door when you leave."
Ambrose gritted his teeth. "In an equal relationship, when the man wants sex, you have to satisfy him too. You just lie in bed, you don't have to do anything."
He followed her all the way to Scarlett's bedroom door. She blocked the doorway, raising an eyebrow at him.
"If you can't accept this, you can end this relationship anytime."
Ambrose felt helpless but finally gave in. "Fine, I accept."
Scarlett smiled. "Good night."
Then she closed the door. After closing it, she leaned her back against the door, taking deep breaths. Only after calming down did she walk inside.
After showering, she looked around and confirmed that Ambrose had indeed left. Only then did she feel at ease and go back to her room to lie in bed.
Ulysses came to mind again. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she felt. Just as she was about to confide in her good friend Briar, Briar's call came through.
"Briar," Scarlett answered the phone.
"Scarlett, tomorrow's my birthday. Come to Culinary Haven for dinner tomorrow night." Briar's cheerful voice came through.
Only then did Scarlett remember Briar's birthday. She'd almost forgotten.
"Okay, I'll be there on time tomorrow."
"What are you doing? How have you been lately?" Briar asked.
She'd been busy with a project recently and hadn't chatted much with Scarlett. So Scarlett mentioned some trivial things, and the two chatted on the phone.
"I heard Octavia's back." Briar brought up this topic.
Scarlett knew, and just responded flatly, "I know."
"She was defeated by you back then. Coming back now, she's not planning to show off in front of you, is she?" Briar said.
"Whatever."
Scarlett's mind was too chaotic now to care about Octavia's business. They didn't chat much longer before hanging up.
After hanging up, she lay in bed, her mind replaying the day's events—Ulysses, Octavia, Ambrose. Suddenly, she suspected that Ambrose liked her.
Otherwise, he couldn't possibly do so much for her.
But even if he liked her, so what?
She didn't want to start another relationship, at least not now.
That night, Scarlett had that dream again. She dreamed of that man's face from that night—not Ulysses, but Ambrose.
This wasn't the first time she'd had this dream. Why would she dream it was Ambrose?