Chapter 3 Leaving After Taking Advantage Of Me

• “D*mn it! Give chase! Don't let that person get away!”
• A black figure darted out of the private room. Stephanie tucked the chip into her pocket, her fair and exquisite face devoid of expression.
• “Boss, head toward your left. The Shadow Gang is about to catch up with you.”
• Ulric's urgent voice came through her earpiece. Stephanie's eyes went icy beneath her long and thick eyelashes, and she sprinted to the left without hesitation.
• The chip Shadow Gang had in their possession was developed by John Hayes, an engineer, through great efforts before his death. Subsequently, it found its way into the black market. Her men were just a step too late. Otherwise, there was no way Shadow Gang could have gotten their hands on it.
• Shadow Gang planned to sell the chip to foreign forces for profit. However, if they did so for real, it would only make chip production in Clusia even more challenging.
• So, she snatched the chip back. And it was only in her hands that the chip could be utilized to its fullest potential.
• Her plan was a resounding success, and she smoothly secured the chip. However, Shadow Gang was unwilling to let it get stolen easily and pursued her relentlessly.
• “It's a dead end ahead.”
• Stephanie narrowed her strikingly beautiful upturned eyes, her tone slightly cold.
• “Huh?” Ulric's panicked voice came through the earpiece. “How could it be a dead end? It can't be!”
• Having an incompetent teammate is worse than going up against formidable opponents!
• Stephanie lightly rubbed her tongue against her back molar and tsked softly.
• Tsk-tsk, I suddenly have an itch to pummel someone!
• It was too late to flee in the other direction then. Without hesitation, she stripped off her coat and cap, tossing them all into a nearby trash can. She also let down her tied hair.
• Her long and flowing hair cascaded over her shoulders casually, rendering her features all the more exquisite. She was spell-bindingly beautiful.
• “She's just ahead. Quick, go after her. Don't let her get away!”
• Hearing the shouts from behind her, Stephanie's cool gaze fell on a man a near distance away.
• The man leaned lazily against the railing, his collar loosely unbuttoned and his tie casually pulled to the side. Yet, he didn't come off as sloppy. Instead, he exuded an indescribable sexiness and allure.
• Shadow Gang's shouts drew closer from behind Stephanie. Without a moment to waste, she strode toward him.
• When Walter heard the approaching footsteps, his gaze immediately darkened. Which ignorant fool dares to come here?
• “Do me a favor.”
• A girl's icy voice rang out.
• It's her!
• As Walter recognized her as the girl he saw at the entrance just now, his annoyance at being intruded upon faded. His captivating black eyes sparkled with interest.
• “What kind of favor?”
• As long as her request isn't too much, I don't mind helping her out.
• Stephanie didn't say another word. Instead, she wrapped her fair arms around his neck and went on tiptoes.
• In the next moment, her rosy and dewy lips found their way to his.
• In an instant, Walter's eyes darkened, and his Adam's apple bobbed violently.
• But as Stephanie's lips were about to make contact with his, she placed her thumb on his lips and separated their lips.
• For a moment, Walter couldn't describe the feeling within him. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he recalled the unexpected thrill that had seized him earlier when he thought that she was going to kiss him for real.
• His gaze darkened considerably. How ridiculous. To think I'm aroused by a young lady to such an extent...
• “Where has the person gone?”
• Those from Shadow Gang quickly caught up, only to find them making out passionately like a couple in their honeymoon period.
• A flicker of suspicion flashed across the eyes of those from Shadow Gang.
• Just as they were about to step forward and investigate further, the man's icy and piercing gaze swept over them, his eyes filled with irritation at being disrupted, striking fear into them.
• A look alone was enough to intimidate them.
• A chill traveled up the soles of their feet to the top of their heads, and they dared not take another step forward.
• A person who could afford a private suite at Luminary Lounge was either affluent or influential, not someone they could afford to offend.
• “The person is not here. Go and give chase in the other direction!”
• When those of Shadow Gang gave chase in the other direction, Stephanie's delicate and curly eyelashes fluttered slightly. She withdrew her hand from around Walter's neck and took a step back, putting distance between them.
• “Thanks.”
• After thanking him nonchalantly, she turned around to leave on her long and shapely legs. She had only taken a step away when a massive pair of hands pulled her back into an embrace.
• “You're leaving after taking advantage of me? There's no free lunch in this world.”
• The man's deep and sexy voice sent a delightful tingle through her as it drifted into her ears, inexplicably alluring.
• Is he trying to asking me for payment?
• Stephanie reached into her pocket, intending to dismiss him with some money, only to realize that other than the chip, she didn't have a single penny on her right then.
• She wants to dismiss me with money?
• Seeing through her, Walter took out his phone and held it out to her. His thin lips curved into a smirk, and he chuckled softly, suave and flirtatious, extraordinarily captivating.
• “I don't want money. Leave me your contact information, and treat me to a meal to make it even.”
• Why is it that he seems like a seducer?
• Stephanie narrowed her eyes. She wasn't fond of owing people favors, so she took the phone and left her number.
• “May I leave now?”
• Then, she handed it back to him, her strikingly beautiful upturned eyes betraying no emotion.
• “Of course, you can.”
• The man's voice was languid, magnetic, and laced with amusement, both mesmerizing and seductive.
• “See you next time, kiddo.”
• It wasn't until Stephanie had disappeared into the distance that Walter finally withdrew his gaze. His thin lips held a hint of a smile, suggesting that he was in a good mood.
• Having witnessed everything, Cody emerged from the shadows. Unable to suppress his curiosity, he commented, “Mr. Walter, you didn't need to play along with that young lady to put on an act just now.”
• Given his status, if he wanted to protect the young lady earlier, Shadow Gang would never dare take her away. Moreover, doesn't he have severe mysophobia? How could he have tolerated her being so close to him just now?
• Just as Cody was utterly perplexed, Walter's languid and mirthful voice of rang out unhurriedly.
• “Yeah. I did it on purpose.”
• At that, Cody was shocked to the core.
• “Boss, are you okay?”
• As soon as Stephanie stepped out of Luminary Lounge's main entrance, Ulric hastily alighted from the car. He scrutinized her from head to toe, only breathing a sigh of relief after ascertaining that she was unharmed.
• “Boss, thank goodness you're fine. I was about to rally the others to come and save you! I'm sorry, Boss. I got the direction wrong.”
• “This is your only chance.”
• Ulric quickly nodded vigorously. “I promise there won't be a next time, Boss!”
• Stephanie didn't say anything further, simply taking the chip out of her pocket and tossing it to him.
• “Take it to the laboratory, and have them study it.”
• Ulric frantically caught the chip. After all, that tiny piece of electronic was worth more than a billion, so it was only natural to handle it with extreme care.
• “Boss, aren't you going to join the research this time? The old geezers at the research institute clamor about meeting you every day, claiming they'd love some guidance from you. Besides, if you were to join them, the chances of success would only increase.”
• “When I have some free time, I'll swing by the lab,” Stephanie replied nonchalantly. Subsequently, her phone buzzed with a new notification of a friend request.
• The number of people who knew her private phone number could be counted on one hand, and the person adding her on WhatsApp then was apparent.