Chapter 10 Don't Do Anything Inappropriate

After stepping out of the club, Charlee lingered by the curb, scanning for an approaching taxi. The wind lightly lifted her hair, casting her face in a dramatic interplay of light and shadow.

"Looking for me?"

The unexpected question came from behind her, snapping her back to the moment. Startled, she shifted aside before turning to face him.

He was dressed more casually now, his hands relaxed in his pockets, which softened his usual stern demeanor, giving him an unexpectedly warm appeal.

"Why are you here?" she demanded, her gaze sharp with suspicion. Seeing him earlier outside the Sullivan Group and now here seemed too calculated to be mere coincidence.

"Stalking someone isn't just wrong; it's also against the law," she reminded him firmly.

Observing her defensive stance, Marc let out a soft chuckle.

His laughter softened the hard edges of his face, rendering him disarmingly handsome.

Charlee instinctively took another step back, her heartbeat quickening as her face blended embarrassment with irritation.

"What are you laughing at?"

Suppressing his amusement with a discreet cough, Marc responded gravely, "I just thought of a funny joke about someone's butt."

"You..." Charlee glared at him. Suddenly, she stepped closer, her whisper a hint of caution, and said, "Make sure you stay out of my way."

"What if I can guarantee you secure the contract with Champion Corporation?"

His expression intensified as he watched her react defensively.

Charlee didn't believe him for a second.

"If you can actually make that happen, I'd..."

She paused abruptly, catching the scent of a distinct perfume.

Stacey, arm in arm with Liam, strolled out closely together.

A glint of triumph briefly appeared in Stacey's eyes as she noticed Charlee with Marc, but she quickly hid it and said in a soft tone, "Charlee, first it was male escorts, now a stranger... Is this how you choose to lower yourself?"

She then glanced meaningfully at Marc, her look heavy with implication.

"I should blame myself. My health has been poor, and I've needed Liam. Without that, you wouldn't have let yourself deteriorate..."

Tears began to well in her eyes as she spoke.

Charlee gave her a cold look, as if observing a foolish act, and scoffed, "Stacey, spare me the drama. You might manage to deceive Liam, but I see right through you."

"You..."

Anger flashed in Stacey's eyes.

Liam's face grew stern, his voice tinged with annoyance.

"Charlee, it's wrong to talk to Stacey that way. She's delicate. Please, don't provoke her."

Charlee found his obliviousness absurd. "Liam, are you truly so blind? Don't you see her true nature?"

"And now you are slandering Stacey and me because of a gigolo?" Liam scowled. Seeing that Charlee was now with another man, exceptionally handsome, enraged Liam.

"Gigolo?"

Charlee chuckled as though she'd heard something ridiculous, turned to Marc, and said, "He just called you a gigolo."

Marc's eyebrow lifted, his smile sly. "Only you can say if that's the case."

For a moment, Charlee was at a loss for words.

Feeling betrayed, Liam grabbed Charlee's wrist forcefully and pulled her close.

"Charlee, I'm warning you. Don't let me catch you messing around."

"Liam, that hurts," Charlee said, her eyes showing nothing but scorn.

Upon realizing his grip was too strong, Liam released her wrist.

"Charlee, keep in mind, you're still my fiancee. Avoid doing anything inappropriate."

Just then, a car pulled up to the entrance of the club, momentarily diffusing the charged atmosphere.