Chapter 23 Yvette had seen people lacking morals before , but Lucas Reed was a first . ] She even wondered if he was sick - maybe she should give him a couple of acupuncture needles . [ ] To her surprise , Lucas laughed at her words . His gaze lingered on her , lips curling with a hint of mischief . " Miss Summers isn't bad either . " Yvette's eyes swept up and down over him . ] She had to admit , up close , this man was even more perfect - brimming with masculine allure . ] ] His features were sharp and defined , with a refined depth and strength in his brows and eyes . [ ] The lines of his face were smooth , the balance between softness and a masculine edge flawless . As a doctor , Yvette particularly appreciated perfection within any species - especially the beauty that came from nearly perfect bone structure and the way muscles were distributed . She fully appreciated this man's physique . [ ] Lucas , in turn , noticed the slightly unusual look she was giving him . ] His gaze darkened a shade . [ ] It felt almost like … she was very satisfied with his body ? That look actually made his Adam's apple bob unconsciously , and for a fleeting second , a strange stir of excitement welled up . ] " Thanks for earlier ," Yvette said . " But whatever happens between me and the involved . " Summers family - if there's a next time - don't get She didn't believe Lucas had intentionally stepped in for her , but the result had still helped her . So a thank - you was in order . ] ] One thing had nothing to do with the other . [ ] She wasn't someone who liked owing favors . ] Nor did she like others interfering in her affairs If she wanted to vent her anger , she preferred to do it herself - it was more satisfying that way . [ ] it was like when you were in the middle of scolding someone and really hitting your stride , only for someone else to butt in Even if they were helping . it was still annoying . The old Yvette had been timid and weak . When the Summers family treated her with cold violence and verbal abuse , she never fought back . Even when Royce toyed with her like a dog , she wouldn't stand up for herself . [] Maybe it was the lingering resentment of the old Yvette in this body that left her unable to show the Summers family even a shred of face now . [ ] Lucas wasn't offended by her words . Instead , there was a glimmer of interest in his eyes , as though she'd piqued his curiosity . [ ] " Miss Summers , I think you've misunderstood . I never intended to help you . " ] Yvette neither confirmed nor denied it and turned to leave . [ ] " Then , as friends who've met twice , may I invite you to dinner today ? " Lucas suddenly asked . [ ] Yvette paused mid - step , glancing back at him . [ ] Those clear , dark eyes were fixed on her , her reflection shining in them , and the faint smile in his gaze was like that of a charming devil - beautiful and dangerously captivating . She smiled suddenly . " What a coincidence , we meet again . " Lucas's brow lifted slightly . " Shall we have dinner together ? " Yvette asked , her tone rising Lucas's eyes took on a hint of a smile , his voice devilishly tempting . " Sure . " His secretary and the manager from earlier exchanged bewildered looks . [ ] What was this ? It almost felt like a pickup line - but reversed . Was Miss Summers actually hitting on Mr. Reed ? ] And why did Mr. Reed look so willing ? The secretary glanced oddly at Yvette . Didn't Mr. Reed dislike forward women ? ] In truth , Yvette was just acting on a whim , teasing Lucas . [ to But since he played along , she could only go with it . [ ] " I want hot pot , Yvette said , raising a brow . Lucas's lips curved . " Alright . " || Half an hour later . [ ] Yvette looked at the steaming hot pot before her , then at Lucas across the table . It should have looked out of place - but somehow , it didn't . Now , he'd taken off his jacket , wearing only a black shirt . He seemed to wear clothes casually - never buttoning the top " modesty " button of his shirts , and never wearing suits with formal precision . His movements carried the elegance of a nobleman , yet his manner held a sharpness uncharacteristic of a privileged heir . Still , he hid that dangerous edge well ] But even well - hidden , it leaked out in subtle ways . [ ] From what she knew , Lucas was infamous in elite circles for his ruthless methods , but he rarely showed his face in public . His notoriety came from his youth , when he would beat anyone who crossed him badly enough to send them to the hospital - his had temper was common knowledge . [ ] As he grew older , it only intensified . In a good mood , all was well . In a bad one , no one would leave with their pride intact . ] In the upper - class world , people feared him . [ ] Some even called him the " Little Ancestor of the Reed family . " Even the Lynn family wouldn't dare provoke him . [ ] But Yvette noticed that despite his seemingly reckless air , Lucas handled everything within precise limits , always keeping control " I've always had a question … Miss Summers , would you help me satisfy my curiosity ? " Lucas hadn't touched his chopsticks . watching her eat instead , lips tilting slightly . " Of course , you can refuse to answer . " ] Yvette dipped her food sauce , swallowed , and said , " Then I refuse to answer , " er . " [ ] Lucas's brow arched . " Itake it back . " Yvette kept eating , " Too late . " His face tightened for a moment , then - unexpectedly - he laughed . [ ] Propping his chin on one hand , he simply watched her eat hot pot. " Then I won't ask , " he said with a teasing , indulgent smile , as if watching her was more interesting than his question . id slowly . [ ] " You're actually the real heiress of Sunharmon International , " he said Yvette glanced at him , then returned to her food . [ ] " My Aunt Lynn likes you . She's never married , never had children - she's a staunch single woman . So you don't need to worry . Since she's recognized you as her daughter , you're the young lady of the Lynn family . " it was as if he were telling her that she didn't need to feel any burden within the Lynn family . Aunt Lynn recognized her purely out of affection , and with no husband or children , no one could question Yvette's place . " The Summers family's status in the circle is nothing much . Compared to the Lynn family , they're far inferior . " ] His words carried meaning . Yvette understood - Lucas clearly knew her connection to the Summers family . Although she'd said Stella was a fake heiress earlier , not everyone would believe it right away . Lucas , however , knew . And he knew she was at odds with the Summers family . [ ] That was why he said it . Yvette gave him a bright . fake smile . " Thank you . " Fake or not , her beauty - enhanced since her rebirth - made her glow . Her cheeks puffed adorably when she smiled , like a doll . in a shop window . [ ] It made Lucas want to pinch her face - and he did . When his hand pressed into the soft , delicate skin , he froze . ] So this was what a girl's face felt like ? ] Like a smooth , soft - boiled egg - he almost feared damaging it with too much force . ] " Done ? " Yvette frowned , her voice cooling What's wrong with this guy ? Talking one second , then suddenly pinching my face ? Reluctantly , Lucas let go , his gaze deep and tinged with roguishness . " If I said no , could I apply for more time ? " ] ] Yvette's brows knit . " You don't … happen to have skin hunger , do you ? " || Lucas : Just then , an ill - timed voice interrupted them . [ ] " Yvette ? It's really you ! Didn't you go abroad ? " ] " What abroad ? She Went to the countryside to feed pigs . You actually believed she went overseas ? " A tuan and a woman spoke up . ] Both Yvette and Lucas turned toward them . ] The pair were part of a group of five or six university students out for dinner They were all former classmates of Yvette's . All had decent family backgrounds - if not second - generation rich , then nouveau riche . ] After Yvette was brought back to the Summers family , she'd been sent to the same school as Stella , but forbidden to reveal her real identity " for Stella's sake . " || Naively , she'd agreed , never revealing the truth . This allowed Stella coattails . [ ] to twist the story , making it story , making it seem like any mention of " Summers " from Yvette was a ploy to ride Stella's To prevent anyone from telling the truth , Stella ensured Yvette was ostracized and friendless . In their eyes , Yvette was just a poor , social - climbing bumpkin . When news of her pursuing Royce spread through school , she became a laughingstock " Yvette , heard you've been feeding pigs in the countryside the past two years ? " one guy said , walking over . He glanced at Lucas and smirked . " Oh , changed your target ? Weren't you Young Master Quinn's lapdog before ? " Coldness flickered in Lucas's eyes . His secretary also gave the man a frosty look . Interrupting Mr. Reed's meal ? A death wish . ] ] Yvette , however , seemed unbothered . She swallowed , took a sip of soda , then calmly set down her chopsticks . " Henry , you're an idiot . Feeding pigs isn't as good as being a gold digger and finding a rich young master , " a girl nearby laughed . " For people like her , finding a man is the only way to change her fate . " ] The others chuckled . ] " Hey , handsome , don't say I didn't warn you , " another girl said to Lucas . " Back in school , she loved breaking up other people's relationships . " ] Lucas glanced at Yvette , ] She dabbed her mouth with a napkin . ] His lips curved faintly , eyes teasing . " Is that so ? Perfect . I happen to like women who interfere in relationships . " Yvette shot him a look , ] " You … are you insane ? " the girl sputtered . ] Lucas leaned back lazily . Tunny , I am . And she's a doctor . " They stared at each other . ] " She's just after your money ! " someone scoffed . Lucas similed at Yvette . " Unfortunately , I'm loaded . " But the slight furrow in his brows betrayed a touch of impatience . [ ] The group looked displeased . Who willingly plays the fool like this ? Yvette's gaze at Lucas clearly read : Are you done yet ? ] He didn't answer , just let his smirk deepen . ] ] " Did the Animal Husbandry Bureau forget to close its doors ? How else did a bunch of livestock get out ? " Yvette asked evenly . ] ] Her gaze swept over them . " Do I know you well enough for you to point fingers at me ? " ] Her calm retort left them stunned . This wasn't the Yvette they remembered - the one who would shrink back and never talk back . [ ] Now , not only was she insulting them , she was fierce about it . [ ] Yvette , what are you talking about ? Don't go too far ! " one girl snapped . [ ] Yvette tilted her head . " Did you all eat something filthy just now ? " It took them a moment to realize she was calling them foul - mouthed . ] " Yvette , you b- " Before the girl could finish , she froze - literally unable to make a sound . Her eyes widened in terror as she mouthed silent cries . [ ] The others panicked . "Lily , what's wrong ? Don't scare me ! " ] ] Yvette withdrew her hand casually , picked up a wet towel , and wiped her fingers . ] Lucas's eyes narrowed , landing on the girl's neck just under her jawline . There , an almost invisible silver needle . Without watching closely , you'd never see it . So that casual wave of Yvette's hand … was actually when she'd launched it ? " I'm very good at treating illnesses , " Yvette said slowly . " Especially feral chicken disorder . Lucas's lips twitched despite himself . [ ] " It was you ! What did you do ? " Henry demanded . [ ] Ignoring him , Yvette looked at Lucas . " I'm done eating . " Lucas stayed silent , but his eyes cooled . ] Yvette stood slowly and looked at the group ] The girl who had insulted her stared back in fury , but fear kept her silent . The inability to speak was more frightening now than her anger . She didn't even know what Yvette had done . " Remember - liking Royce before was me being stupid . But if anyone dares bring it up again , reminding me how stupid I used to be , you'll end up just like her . " ] Yvette's smile turned cold . " And since you know I raised pigs in the countryside , you should know I'm good at dealing with livestock . So don't get in my way . " She snapped her fingers . [ ] A manager hurried over . " Yes , Miss , what can I do for you ? " Yvette handed him a gold card . " I'm buying out the place tonight . Clear it . " The manager took the card with both hands , his attitude respectful . " Yes , I'll take care of it right away . " . Yvette gave a soft " Mm " and said nothing more .[ ] This gold card had been given to her by the Lynn family as a token of thanks and repayment . ] With it , she could dine for free and enjoy full VIP service at any Lynn - owned establishment . ] The Lynn family's businesses spanned many industries . And this hot pot restaurant happened to be one of them . ] Yvette had only realized it after coming in - she hadn't known when choosing the place . Seeing the manager's deferential attitude , and hearing her words , the group was stunned . How could Yvette have that kind of power ? ]