Playing With Fire

Under the unhindered midday sun, the wind blew with the oppressive heat of summer.

In a yard, Tessa Wexler was watching two stray cats scramble for food. When a cat won by a scratch, she beamed a big smile.

Her rosy lips curved, eyes as clear as glass. A brilliant charm was shown on her face, which was as fair as jade.

"Tessa, sorry to keep you waiting."

With sympathy and regret written on his face, Felix Hughes, in his white gown, pushed open the door. There was a clipboard in his hand.

Tessa looked over her shoulder with a smile that became meek and lovely.

"Never mind. Mr. Hughes, how's the result?"

"You're healthy in all aspects."

Tessa knew he was trying to sound upbeat.

"What about my brain?" she drawled.

He let out a brief sigh. "The same as your mother's..."

Shirley Flores, Tessa's mother, had inherited rare supernatural powers from her family.

Her six senses were distinct from normal people's, and her intelligence and learning ability were preeminent.

But everything had its dark side.

The side effect of those abilities was a rare disease that killed her at 27, a young age.

And this also happened to Tessa.

Like her mother, she was likely to die under 30.

Felix comforted, "Don't worry, Tessa. Your father and uncles are preparing for your marriage to Vance King."

Under her pretty brows, her eyes glistened as she smiled.

"Mr. Hughes, you also believe I'll be cured by marrying that man?"

Affected by her positiveness, Felix also curved his lips in a somewhat embarrassed smile.

"In this world, there are many things that modern medicine can't explain. If your father and uncles are so convinced, there must be a reason."

Tessa shrugged her shoulders, with a trace of playfulness in her eyes.

To cure her, the three elders had devoted themselves to the occult.

But thanks to this, she could leave the Flores's and come to the city where her mother had once lived.

"Vance is Old Mr. King's second son and is said to be an outstanding man. Now that you'll get married sooner or later..." Felix blathered on.

"Mr. Hughes, you're starting to become a nag too."

After a glance at him, Tessa took her bag and rose.

It was a surprise that a meek girl like her had such a sharp stare. Rendered speechless, Felix gave an awkward smile and walked her out.

"Contact me anytime if you feel uncomfortable."

Samuel Johnson, a blond young man, was waiting for her outside. Following him, Tessa got into a black MPV.

"Boss, are you going to the Wexler's or Veronica Art Gallery?"

Samuel turned around, his hair reflecting the sunlight, and teeth dazzlingly white.

"Vance King is also in the gallery."

Tessa lifted her eyelids. "What are you smiling at? There's a cramp on your face?"

Samuel stopped smiling right away and gave two coughs.

Tessa had just come to City J last month. He hadn't gotten used to the fact that the sweet girl in front of him was the big boss who gave him orders through texts.

"Go to the gallery," she said in a voice that sounded lazy and a little childish.

She wanted to know why her father and uncles were so resolute about their arrangement.

On arriving at the gallery, Samuel went to talk with a manager with a scroll of painting.

Tessa walked around there alone.

Her gaze swept across a crowd and soon landed on a handsome man with distinguishing temperament.

The man was wearing a tailored black suit that flattered his tall figure.

Although Felix said Tessa's father and uncles were arranging the marriage, the King Family hadn't known about this yet.

The Flores Family thought, as long as Tessa agreed, the Kings' or Vance King's opinions were of insignificance.

Vance didn't know that he was being targeted. At this moment, he was appreciating the painting before him.

Standing next to him was a woman whose eyes were filled with admiration. Her lips moved slightly as she said something to him.

Just then, Tessa was standing 20 meters away from them, listening carefully to their conversation. An affectedly sweet voice came into her ears.

"Mr. King, do you like traditional Chinese paintings? We share the same hobby."

The woman pointed at a free sketch. "I drew this. What do you think of it?"

Tessa could tell from the woman's excited voice that she was waiting for his compliment.

"Just so-so."

Vance's voice was as cold and arrogant as his appearance. It was full of unconcern and casualness.

The woman paused and looked somewhat angry. But her voice became softer.

"You must be joking, Mr. King. I won a gold award for this painting and I'm going to auction it. Please do me the honor and bid on it tomorrow."

"I'm not joking. The judges must be blind to award you for such a painting."

Vance rubbed his nasal bone as if his eyes were polluted by something. Then, he turned to his assistant beside him.

"Disqualify this painting from the auction. It'll damage the reputation of our gallery to have people pay money for this."

The woman was rendered wordless, but obviously, she was furious.

When Tessa thought she would give up or slap Vance, she spoke again.

"Vance King, what good will it do to treat me this way? Even your grandfather has agreed with our marriage. Do you think you can go against his will?"

The woman became more and more excited, her voice filled with hope.

"Don't you know how much you can benefit your career by marrying me?"

A sneer brushed past Tessa's ears, following which Vance's indifferent voice sounded.

"Won't it be better to marry your father for benefits?"

Tessa's lips curved slightly

At least, this man was not boring.

She approached him slowly, with her eyes fixed on him as if he was her prey.

But suddenly, a sharp headache caused her a blackout.

Again!

As usual, she closed her eyes and bent to relieve her pain.

Just then, she smelt a fresh fragrance which relaxed her tense body a bit.

Following that smell, she dragged a person over and buried her head against him or her.

She had smelt countless smells, but never this kind. It was mixed with the scents of tea, mint, and a few herbs.

Gradually, the pain disappeared, and she could see a bit of bright light.

She sniffed deeply, trying to remember the smell.

At this moment, her head was held by a hand.

She looked up at Vance's cold eyes as he gazed at her in a domineering manner.

Since he was bending slightly, his handsome face was merely several centimeters away from hers.

For a moment, Tessa could only see this face.

After a while, she finally saw the environment behind him, though it was black and white.

"I'm sorry." She loosened her grip and took a step back.

Vance frowned lightly, a touch of surprise flashing across his eyes.

This voice...

Hearing Tessa's voice, Vance shivered imperceptibly. With a frown, he wanted to grab her wrist.

But as soon as Tessa let go of him, she was pushed aside.

"Mr. King, are you all right? Did this hoyden hurt you?"

After a glare at Tessa, the woman blocked between the two and tended to hold Vance's arm.

But he backed and stared at her.

Frightened by his coldness, she put down her hands.

His assistant was also greatly startled.

Although there were many women coveting Vance's beauty, no one had dared to rush into his hug so directly.

Vance would definitely give this girl a harsh punishment!

She might cry for long if a blow was given on her pretty face.

Hurriedly, the kindhearted assistant asked people to take Tessa away, and he himself tried to stop Vance.

"Mr. King, don't be angry. She didn't do that on purpose..."

"Out of my way!"

Vance's tone was stern, and his face was frigid. The assistant was scared into trembling and backed away.

But Tessa had gone.

Vance's gloomy expression made the assistant very nervous.

He had never seen such despondency on Vance's face.

Did Mr. King know that girl?

"I'll look for her right away!"

...

After being pulled away, Tessa still felt confused by the unique smell that lingered in her nose.

"Tessa Wexler!"

A sharp voice awakened her from absentmindedness. Only then did she realize she had been taken to another exhibition hall.

An elegantly-dressed woman was tut-tutting under her breath.

"Why are you here?" She glanced at the two suited men beside Tessa. "What trouble did you make again?"

It was Louise Tiffen, Tessa's aunt.

Tessa didn't bother to reply. Her eyes were covered with moisture, making her look innocent and gentle.

A man didn't have the heart to see her being scolded and explained,

"Not a big deal. Your child bumped into Mr. Vance King by accident."

Louise was startled. "How dare you hurt Mr. King. You... Alas!"

She stamped her foot and then asked tentatively, "May I apologize to Mr. King in person?"

There were not less than 10 women who wanted to approach Vance in a day. So the suited men stared at her indifferently.

"If I were you, I wouldn't approach him. He's very angry now. Perhaps he's looking for this girl's parents or guardians."

As if scalded by hot water, Louise backed hurriedly.

"She looks young, but she's been 18 or 19. Besides, I'm not her guardian..."

When she looked back, she found Tessa had gone far away.

She ran over and dragged Tessa into her car. Patting the backrest, she asked the driver to take them back immediately.

"Tessa, we let you stay in our home for Old Mrs. Wexler's sake. Would you be kind not to cause us any trouble?"

Louise was rather angry.

She went to the gallery with Ashley's painting in the hope that it could be exhibited there.

But Tessa harassed Vance King at this critical moment!

If Vance knew this girl was from the Wexler's, he would definitely disqualify Ashley's painting even if it was a good one.

"Isn't the house my father's?" Tessa asked in confusion as she tilted her head slightly, but her eyes were filled with sarcasm.

Louise's face fell.

"What do you mean? When your father severed his tie with the Wexler's, he said he gave up everything here. Has he cared about the family or Old Mrs. Wexler during these years?"