Chapter45 Getting Her Riled Up Is Fun

Chapter45 Getting Her Riled Up Is Fun
Linnea was stunned for a few seconds before asking, "You're just kidding, right?"
"You think I'm kidding?" Caius smiled, as if he lived for her panicked expression. "Why would I need to kid about this?"
Linnea looked miserable, close to a breakdown. "But that's wrong, Caius. You know she's your wife. You want me to sit at the same table as Vivienne? That's going to be humiliating for me."
"Humiliating?" Caius sounded surprised, then corrected her. "Linnea, no need to feel that way. I just want you to be embarrassed. You make a lot of entertaining expressions when you're feeling awkward."
Linnea still tried to refuse. "I really can't. I have work that day."
"What are you thinking, Linnea?" Caius "corrected" her again, his tone this time dripping with teasing playfulness. "I'm taking my wife to buy birthday gifts for her parents. Can't I bring my personal assistant?"
Linnea didn't catch his sarcasm. She was speechless for a moment.
Personal assistant? Sure, that was fine.
As the CEO of the Thorne Group, Caius could bring as many subordinates as he wanted to this auction. Besides, the auction was hosted by that wretched stepbrother and stepsister duo. His high-profile attendance would actually benefit the Knight family and hype up the event.
As for his true motive, maybe he was just afraid the auction would be boring and wanted to keep her around as entertainment?
At least for now, he didn't even treat her like a mistress. She wasn't a threat to Vivienne's status as his wife...
The more Linnea thought about it, the more depressed she became. She forced down her frustration. "You're right. I'm confusing the setting and my role. In bed, I'm just your bedmate. Out of bed, I'm just your assistant."
Caius watched her tense face and almost burst out laughing.
Look how wronged she seemed... Didn't this fool, Linnea, realize he was just messing with her?
Her cheeks were puffed out with anger. Caius wanted to pinch them, and he did. "Linnea, are you throwing a fit? What are you pouting about now?"
Linnea got even angrier hearing that.
What did he mean by "pouting now"? The one who was always irritable, quick to "punish," and "discipline" her was him!
He was unbelievable!
Linnea wanted to stomp her foot, but then she remembered she was still sitting on the bed.
She scrambled out of Caius's grasp and got off the bed. "How could I ever throw a fit at you? Sorry, Caius, lunch break is over. I need to get back to work. As for the auction, as an assistant hired by the boss, I'll naturally follow my boss's orders."
"Really?" Caius looked down at his watch. "Time's not up yet, is it?"
But when he looked back up, Linnea had already bolted. She was wearing a shirt from the closet, one with the highest neckline available.

The day of the auction.
The mood in the car on the way to the auction was stiff.
Caius was engrossed in his seemingly endless work. Even though he didn't look bothered by any difficulties, he exuded a chilling aura that warned people to keep their distance.
Linnea sat beside him, messaging Cora on a social platform, trying to find a breakthrough in the matter of Vivienne seizing the estate.
Cora: If only Caius's father could intervene. With his fake righteousness, he'd never allow the estate that meant so much to your mother to be taken by a lumber company.
Linnea replied with a headache.
Linnea: That whole idea makes no sense. First, Caius's dad is completely paralyzed and bedridden, and all the power is in Caius's hands now. He has to depend on Caius for his basic needs. Second, even when Caius's dad was in charge, that creepy old guy was never that kind.
Linnea: Their marriage was just a tool he used to control Caius. Years ago, he favored his youngest illegitimate son and didn't want Caius to get family power, so he forced Caius to marry into a low-class family like the Knights, hoping to use them to drag Caius down. But Caius proved he didn't need the marriage to succeed.
Cora: The feuds in your rich families are so complex. But Caius is supposedly about to overthrow his dad, right? Why hasn't he divorced Vivienne yet? And why is he going to this auction today...
Linnea: How should I know? He's the hardest person to figure out.
Cora: Just ask Caius for help?
Linnea's headache intensified. Caius was constantly playing with her emotions, even now. Ask him to help her get the estate back? This was too huge. Even if she revealed her true identity now, he would never help her.
"Who are you talking to?"
Linnea snapped her head up, meeting Caius's probing eyes.
She quickly turned off the screen and tossed the phone into her purse. "No one. Don't look at my phone."
The back seat suddenly felt too small. Caius easily grabbed her arm and pulled her and her purse into his lap. His hot body enveloped her, and his low, displeased chuckle came from above her head. "So jumpy? Are you afraid I'll punish you if I find out?"
Linnea spoke defensively. "Think whatever you want."
A palm landed on her cheek. Linnea tensed up and tightly closed her eyes.
A moment later, she felt a soft, fuzzy texture on her face.
Linnea opened her eyes. Through the blurry outline of the car window, she saw a mask on her face. It was made of pure black feathers, covering most of her face but leaving a small part of her upper right cheek exposed. It perfectly matched the velvet, wine-red gown she was wearing.
Caius leaned in from behind her and lifted her chin. "Linnea, you are stunning."
"Of course," Linnea replied without false modesty.
The mask had two clear diamonds near the outer edge of the eyes, reflecting light into Caius's eyes, and into Linnea's amber ones. He stared at her for a few seconds and said in a low voice, "I really want to screw you right here."
"...Caius!"
She knew he wouldn't say anything nice!
Linnea kept a straight face until they were seated at the auction.
"Still mad at me?" Caius asked, sounding amused. "Linnea, since when are you so casual with your temper around me?"
Linnea then put on a fake, flattering look. "Me? Angry? Distinguished Mr. Caius, I totally respect you..."
Before she could finish, a familiar voice drifted over from a distance. "Caius, you actually came!"
Linnea stopped talking and instantly started to stand, but Caius pressed his hand down firmly on her thigh.
"Don't run away. Just sit there."
"I have to offer my seat to your wife," Linnea bit out.
His large hand clamped her to the chair. Caius leaned close to her, his hot breath warming her ear.
"Why are you so nervous? Feeling guilty?"
"I don't recall slipping anything into your body that would make you lose your composure, did I?"