After Betrayal - I Married a Handsome Tycoon-Chapter 25: A Wild Man

The Chinese language is vast and profound.

One word can hold a thousand meanings.

Meeting Connor Quinn’s eyes, dark and deep as pools of ink, Moira Sloan froze for a few seconds.

It wasn’t that she was mesmerized by him; the man was just a walking contradiction.

Silent and reserved in public, yet at home, he’d roll up his sleeves and cook for her. And in *that* department, he was both sultry and unrestrained...

While Moira was still lost in her daze, Connor Quinn released his hand from her waist. As he was leaving, he asked in a low voice, "Any fruit you’re craving?"

"Oranges."

With his back to her, Connor put on his shoes. "Anything else?"

"Watermelon and strawberries."

They were all in season. Although Everwood County was small, they weren’t hard to find.

Connor Quinn grunted in acknowledgment and strode away.

Watching Connor leave, Moira crossed her arms and leaned against the kitchen doorframe.

’This man is an expert.’

As the saying goes, to win over a woman, if she’s young and naive, show her the splendors of the world. If she’s worldly and weary, take her for a ride on a carousel.

’He’s using the second tactic on me,’ Moira thought.

When Connor Quinn returned, Moira Sloan had just showered and was curled up on the sofa, chatting away on the phone.

The call was from Flora Rhodes, who was complaining to her about a recent competition.

"I’m speechless. It was totally rigged."

"Did you watch the show? They claimed it was about promoting our national culture, but it was really just to make a name for a few rich kids."

Moira laughed softly, a hint of derision in her tone. "Isn’t that standard procedure?"

Things like that were commonplace in their circle; it wasn’t the first or second time it had happened.

"Garbage. A complete pile of garbage," Flora said.

"It can’t be helped," Moira replied. "People these days might look principled, but deep down, every fiber of their being reeks of money."

"Back when Master Alden was still around..."

Flora spoke too quickly, only realizing halfway through that Kain Alden was a sore spot for Moira.

Flora quickly shut her mouth, murmuring, "Moira, I’m sorry, I..."

Moira’s fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest of the sofa. Her tone was natural. "It’s nothing. When Master was alive, the atmosphere in our circle was genuinely better."

Flora was silent.

Kain Alden was Moira Sloan’s master. He crafted exquisite lacquerware, and Northern Polished Lacquer was his specialty.

Kain Alden had a calm and steady temperament, neither arrogant nor rash. The one exception was his unyielding spirit.

It was the kind of spirit born from a national pride etched into his very bones.

A few years ago, an Englishman wanted to invest a huge sum in his lacquerware shop and even used various connections to pressure him. But the old man would rather have closed his shop than agree.

That kind of integrity commanded respect and reverence.

Thinking of Kain Alden, the smile on Moira’s face faded slightly.

She had never told anyone that Kain Alden’s death was no accident.

Publicly, Kain Alden had died of illness. In reality, he was murdered—he’d eaten something he shouldn’t have and died from an allergic reaction.

’The old man had lived for the better part of his life and was always meticulous. There was absolutely no way he would have eaten it by mistake.’

Moira was lost in thought when a deep male voice sounded from above her. An instant later, a shadow fell over her, and a plate of sliced fruit was placed in front of her.

"Don’t eat too much," Connor said. "Dinner will be ready soon."

Moira lifted her gaze, not looking at him, but glancing toward the kitchen instead.

She hadn’t noticed before, but one look gave her a shock. The kitchen floor was piled high with things. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought he’d brought the whole supermarket home.

Connor obviously noticed her gaze but remained perfectly calm, without a trace of anything unusual. "I’m going to make dinner."

Moira’s lips twitched. She wanted to say something, but since she was on the phone, the words stayed on the tip of her tongue. In the end, she said nothing, only replying with a soft, "Mhm."

As soon as Moira spoke, Connor turned and left. On the other end of the line, Flora Rhodes gasped, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and excitement. "Moira, aren’t you at home? Why is there a man in your house?"

Moira smiled faintly, her tone playful. "A wild one."