The person who was standing outside the door earlier is now standing in front of her. Yes, right in front of her. She didn’t know when, but he stood before her, silently, without a sound. Ava Sterling was dumbfounded. When did he come in? How did she not hear a single sound? At this moment, Ava Sterling didn’t even think about being abandoned by Poe Vaughn, nor did she worry about what Poe would do to her. Instead she was pondering how he suddenly appeared in front of her, truly carefree. Poe Vaughn looked at the person before him, watching her facial expression change from fear to resignation, acceptance, and a sense of hopelessness. She seemed prepared for everything, no longer afraid. It was as if, in this short period, she had already experienced many things, crossed numerous mountains and rivers, and now decided not to go on. In his eyes was a silent depth, changing in tint as Ava Sterling’s expression shifted. At this moment, gazing at these pure and clear eyes, they clearly reflected her confusion, with nothing else, so simple, without any scheming or hiding. The somber aura surrounding him gradually dissipated, and the frightening dark tint in his eyes slowly faded away. He raised his hand and laid it upon her eyelid. The warmth of his fingertip touched her face, startling Ava Sterling into instinctively drawing back, away from Poe Vaughn. It was a reflexive action, without any extra thought, purely instinct. And as she drew away, her eyes filled with caution and alertness. At this moment, the atmosphere around them fell silent. Poe Vaughn stood there, his fingers hanging in the air, the cheek that had pulled away from his touch leaving him with nothing else to hold. Only the chill wrapped around. His gaze turned calm. Inside, a deep stillness like stagnant water, not a ripple, not a sound, frighteningly quiet, so quiet it made the heart tremble. Ava Sterling hadn’t expected to draw away from Poe Vaughn, and most importantly, his sudden touch on her face during her bewilderment was startling. Like being in a place, walking just fine, and suddenly someone appears; that’s the kind of feeling. A terrifying feeling. Thus, her instinctive retreat was just an automatic reaction, without other thoughts. And after retreating, Ava Sterling realized the touch was from Poe Vaughn’s hand. Ava Sterling’s eyes widened suddenly, staring at the hand suspended in the air, completely shocked. Without even thinking, she blurted out: "You weren’t about to hit me, were you?" Poe Vaughn never touches her face; what he most often does is embrace her, wrap his arms around her waist, or hold her hand. When they’re in bed, he controls her body but never touches her face. Now, with his hand on her face, what else could it be but to hit her? She touched on something he considered untouchable, angering him, and thus, he wanted to vent and slap her. Thinking of this, Ava Sterling’s face turned pale. Would Poe Vaughn actually hit a woman? How could she not see this happening? Yet, his earlier action clearly intended to strike her, and if she hadn’t dodged quickly, that slap might just have landed on her cheek. At this instant, Ava Sterling immediately retreated, hastily backed away, keeping a distance from Poe Vaughn. She had some training, unsure if Poe Vaughn ever trained, but judging from their encounters in bed, considering his strength, Ava Sterling felt he likely also had training. If they were to fight, she definitely wouldn’t stand a chance against him. Thinking this, Ava Sterling stepped back to the kitchen counter, no further room to retreat. She swallowed, eyes flashing with fear yet resolute, saying: "You, you... you better not come closer." "A gentleman uses words, not fists." For more chapters visit novel~fire~net "If you’re dissatisfied with something, just say it, I... I’m quite agreeable, but it can’t be with violence." Ava Sterling mustered her courage, her voice trembling as she spoke, leaving the nearby maid stunned. "Madam, what... what are you talking about?"