Chapter 11 A Man Who Applies Facial Masks

• “Good. We are the only ones left. Speak; how do you plan to solve this situation? Whatever happens, I’ll make this clear beforehand—I want this woman, Iris Parker.”
• Wow. What an overbearing attitude. Standing by the side, Iris stuck her tongue out defiantly. What is wrong with this guy? We haven’t discussed anything. When did I become his?
• Meanwhile, Dexter slowly lifted his head. Seeing that Lucas had kept his gun away and his aura was not as imposing as before, Dexter felt his tensed nerves relaxing little by little. Just now, he had been terrified that Lucas might really shoot him. It wasn’t worth it being shot over such trivial matters. “Alright, I’ll accept it. I have nothing more to say since Iris chose you. But, let me warn you right now; you better treat her well from now on. She had a tough life since she was a child; she grew up without a mother’s love. Also, since she was young—”
• “Shut up, you sc*mbag!” Iris roared at Dexter with all her might. Anybody else can speak those words—anyone but him! Especially not under the current circumstances.
• “Fine. I’ll shut up. I admit I brought this upon myself. Iris, leaving me might be the best choice you’ve ever made.” After uttering those words, he stood up and left.
• He didn’t even look back. She watched wide-eyed as he walked away. What a familiar back. And yet, we can only be complete strangers to each other from now on. She could tell that her vision had turned blurry. The back she could clearly see just moments ago was nothing but a blurry outline now.
• “Why are you crying? You’re so soft-hearted. In the end, you’ll get nothing done.” Lucas’ voice floated into her ears. Unfortunately, listening to his words filled her with bitterness.
• “Thank you for saving me today. Unfortunately, I still have some family matters to deal with,” she said, intending to send her guest away. In a little while, Dad will be here too. I don’t want Dad to know about the existence of another man if possible. Otherwise, it will be harder to explain everything.
• “What am I? Will I leave just because you ask me to? How presumptuous. I’ll leave when I want to.”
• “What are you doing?”
• “Since I’m already here, why don’t I meet your father while I’m at it?” Lucas seemed to be thinking about something, and a wicked smirk appeared on his face.
• “Meet… That’s not a good idea, is it?”
• Lucas knew exactly how to manipulate Iris. He knew that she was very scared of letting him meet her parent. After all, the relationship between them was rather awkward to explain.
• “I don’t need to meet him, but you’ll have to come to me tonight. It’ll be at the same place as before. If you don’t come, you’ll know the consequences,” he answered easily. To be honest, he wasn’t aiming to meet her parents. He simply wanted to push her into agreeing with his demands.
• Upon hearing his words, she couldn’t help feeling aggrieved. What is this? I just left the lion’s den only to find myself in the wolf’s den. Still, this man’s words are like a curse that binds me tightly. I can’t bring myself to refuse him.
• Afterward, the house became silent again. The home that had been ladened with dangers just now no longer had any activity in it anymore. Then, Iris hurriedly entered the room only to discover her father tied spread eagle on the bed.
• “Dad, how are you? Are you alright?” She swiftly went over to remove the towel stuffed in his mouth and untie the ropes holding him down.
• “Iris! Iris! Are you alright, Iris?” Matthew was extremely worried. As soon as he regained his freedom, he hugged his daughter tightly and asked about her wellbeing. Similar to how she felt about him, she was his lifeblood.
• “I’m fine, Dad. Everything is over now. Don’t worry.”
• “Dexter! What about Dexter?! I’m going to kill him!”
• “He left, Dad. He left.” She stopped her father just as he was about to rush outside. Throwing herself into his arms, she burst into tears. All the pain, suffering, and grievances that she experienced over the past few days turned into tears at that moment.
• “Go on and cry your heart out, love. I’m right here with you. Nobody can hurt you.”
• She had gotten used to hiding in her father’s embrace and acting spoiled. Her father had taken on the role of doing everything that should have been done by her mother.
• “I want a divorce.” After crying for a long time, she finally got up from his embrace. She wiped her tears away gently and declared through gritted teeth.
• “Alright. I will support your decision. I will also support you no matter what you do.” Matthew did not question her. He knew that asking questions would only be rubbing salt into her wounds. Iris has always been a well-behaved girl since she was a child. She is sensible and dutiful. No matter what happens, I trust that my daughter is not in the wrong.
• Iris suddenly felt a lot lighter in her heart when she came out of the house. She didn’t know if it was because Lucas had helped her, or because Dexter had let her go, or because she had finally vented her pent-up emotions. In any case, she could feel that the weight pressing down on her heart previously was gone.
• At 7 PM sharp, she arrived at the lobby of the hotel. Even so, she wandered about downstairs for a long time—she was still hesitant. The moment I go upstairs, it will be very hard for me to leave tonight. As a married woman, she naturally did not believe that Lucas would go easy on her. It was going to be a long night tonight. Moreover, it would mean that I tacitly agree to this relationship if I go upstairs. But, what relationship do we have? Lovers? Friends with benefits?
• She felt extremely conflicted and struggled with the constant turmoil in her heart. Forget it. I’m already here anyway. I might as well go up. Besides, that guy doesn’t seem like somebody to be trifled with. He has a gun. If I were to disobey him, I don’t know what crazy thing he might do to me. Trying to comfort herself, she began pacing about in front of the familiar room again.
• “Are you a dog? Why are you patrolling outside?” All of a sudden, the door opened abruptly and a man with a facial mask poked his head out.
• “Ah!” Faced with the sudden ghost-like appearance of the man, she jumped in fright.
• “Why are you screaming? Come in,” Lucas said sternly. She took her time going inside. It was a familiar room—it was where she had lost something precious to her that night.
• “This time, I can consider your presence here to be voluntary, right?”
• This man is like a ghost. Didn’t he enter the room just now? How did he suddenly appear behind me again? “I was forced to come.” If I’m going to die anyway, I might as well die with dignity. Iris was starting to adapt to this place and this unfamiliar man. After all, certain things could only occur with due process.