A laid-back smirk graced upon Sebastian's lips.
"Seducing your brother-in-law, Kid? That's a grand appetite you have there."
His voice was teasing, but it didn't lighten the tension in the air, sharpened it instead.
Although Lillian put on an air of confidence, only she knew the tremors beneath her calm surface. There was a lot she experienced in her previous life, but a romantic encounter didn't happen to be one of them.
As she brought her face closer to him, the refreshing woody and citrusy scent of the cologne coiled around her- subtle yet memorable. Her sharp eyes locked on with his amused ones.
He resembled a sly fox, waiting for his prey to act.
Lillian reminded herself not to panic. Before arriving here, she made mental preparations based on his character on how to act. With how she knew his deepest secrets, Lillian was aware of the leverage she had over him.
"Mr. Sebastian, how scandalous do you think it will be if I, Lillian Chen, who is engaged to Ethan Xu get involved in an affair with you— the illegitimate son of Xu Family."
Lillian's lips curled up, showing emotions beyond the coldness from earlier. However, it made her seem more dangerous.
"You plan to seduce me?" Sebastian's voice dipped lower into a husky timber.
"Ethan Xu acts high and mighty, and puts himself on a pedestal. Rather an engagement arranged by his family, he acts as though I forced it upon him." Disdain was clearly present in her voice.
From what the novel indicated, Ethan's delusion made him believe Lillian was infatuated with him. Later in the novel, when he, the Male Lead, fell for Eva, the story painted her out as a jealous third-party who wished to ruin their relationship.
Lillian recalled from her memories how Eva lectured her on the importance of true love and, at one point, for the sake of her happiness was willing to leave Ethan.
Even back then, she was perplexed by their one-man show.
Ethan went on and on about how he would never glance at her.
But Lillian wondered what made him mistaken she had any positive feelings towards him.
She could hardly recall what his arrogant face looked like.
The memory of his arrogance stirred something violent within her.
If only she could punch his face now.
Gloominess crossed through her eyes.
"Since he is so deep in his confidence, how badly do you think it will shatter when he finds me infatuated with you?
He thinks you're someone beneath his status, someone lowly. But what if that lowly person is loved by his fiancée?" Lillian pointed out.
Heavy silence surrounded them as her words fell.
"You're filled with ideas," Sebastian commented. His expression shifted to something imperceptible.
Then, raising his finger, he pressed it on her forehead and pushed her back. "But I am not willing to play with you."
Lillian didn't give him a chance to escape. In one swift motion, she boldly wrapped her hand around his neck, pulling him closer to her. Then, she caught him by surprise as her lips planted right below his lips.
This lasted for hardly a second before Sebastian pushed her away.
Lillian remained calm before looking at the side towards Sophie.
"Did you get a good picture?"
Sophie stood frozen, phone trembling slightly in her hand. Her shocked expression slowly turned into a stunned nod.
It took a second for Sebastian to register everything. He ran his hand through his hair, a low and deep chuckle escaping through his lips.
"Do you think you can dare to mess with me?" A dark, sinister look crossed through Sebastian's eyes. His voice held a threatening edge.
"I think we will make great allies. Then, I will come to see you later when I have something great planned again," Lillian said, about to leave.
But then, Sebastian grabbed on to her wrist. This time, her eyes widened.
His other hand reached out for the decorative red rose stitched on the waist of her dress. With a quick tug, he tore it away.
As he lowered his face, his warm breath fell on her neck, and chill passed down her spine. Lillian stiffened.
"More than a lily, you're a wild rose," he whispered, his voice sultry.
He lifted the rose in his hand.
"Let me keep this as a souvenir."
Lillian blinked her eyes.
He was a vixen.
She ripped her hand away from his grip and made her way towards Sophie. Her hurried steps gave away the inner panic she felt right now.
Lillian held her friend's hand and pulled her out of there.
Once she was sure they were out of sight, she slowed down. Sophie slapped her on the back. Shock was written on every fibre of her being.
"No, Baby, what was that about? You were seducing him?" Sophie grabbed on to her shoulders, shaking her. "Look at me. This isn't you, Lillian. I get it that he has a good skin and young, naive girls like you would get fooled."
Sophie let out an exasperated sigh and raised her voice. "But he will he will leave you heartbroken and crying. He is the definition of a scumbag. Your fiance has a handsome face as well and is more credible."
Her friend's panic settled Lillian's nerves and made her chuckle.
Lillian wore a pondering expression, teasing the girl. "But Ethan always pulls a long face. At least Sebastian is gentler."
This made Sophie almost cry in frustration. "Lillian, he is a poisonous snake. Also, he is much older than us. Twenty-five? He is basically an ancient. Also, who knows what diseases he might have? This isn't safe."
Lillian raised her hand and flicked on her friend's forehead. "What I want his cooperation, a partnership. Not romance. He is not my type, so don't worry."
Sophie's furrowed her brows.
"I heard you mention Ark earlier. What was that about? There is no way he can be in business. Last time when Chairman Xu tried to appoint him a position in Xu Corporation, he set the building on fire for fun. He is a total nutcase."
An interested smile formed on Lillian's lips.
A nutcase like him was what she needed.
"He is the founder of Ark Investments. Although it was established for only three years now, it is one of the top now. All of their projects have been successful until now. Anything they set an eye on is said to be a hit," Lillian explained.
Sophie was in disbelief.
"If he is that good, why would he keep it a secret?"
Chairman Xu always flaunted about Ethan. He was hailed as the ideal figure from their generation, and everyone wanted a Ethan in their household. But if Sebastian's achievemnets were that prominent, Ethan would pale in comparison.
"He has his reasons," Lillian replied.
Sebastian set out an extensive plan to destroy the Xu Family, but in the end, what he received was a pitiful ending of a villain.
Lillian didn't know who was more miserable- her or Sebastian.
"I get all that, but how do you know all these, Lillian. What are you hiding from me?" Sophie's eyes were sharp.