Rose with Thorns

“Damn it, chase her down! Don’t let her get away!”

A figure darted out of the private room. Yvette slipped the chip into her pocket, her delicate face showing no emotion.

“Boss, head left! They’re getting closer to you!” Jake’s urgent voice crackled in her earpiece. Yvette’s eyes were cold and focused, framed by long, dark lashes. Without thinking twice, she sprinted to the left.

The chip in her possession was Henry Johnson’s final masterpiece, created with painstaking effort before his death.

It had ended up on the black market, and her team had just been a step too late, allowing a gang to get hold of it first.

They planned to sell it to foreign interests, which would severely impact the country’s chip manufacturing capabilities.

Yvette’s plan had gone smoothly; she had successfully retrieved the chip.

However, the gang was relentless, unwilling to let it slip away without a fight.

“It’s a dead end ahead,” Yvette muttered, her fox-like eyes narrowing.

“What?” Jake’s panicked voice came through the earpiece. “How can it be a dead end? That’s impossible!”

Yvette wasn’t afraid of the tough opponents, but rather, clueless teammates.

She tapped her tongue against the back of her teeth and let out a frustrated sigh.

She suddenly felt the urge to punch someone.

There was no time to backtrack now. Without hesitation, she stripped off her jacket and hat, tossing them into a trash bin nearby.

She let her long hair down, the wavy locks cascading over her shoulders, making her striking features even more captivating and unforgettable.

“She’s just ahead; don’t let her get away!” The shouts from behind grew louder.

Yvette’s cold gaze fell on a man not far away.

He was leaning lazily against the railing with his collar undone. The tie around his neck was loosely draped to one side, giving him a casual yet captivating allure.

The voices of her pursuers were getting closer. Yvette wasted no time and quickly walked toward him.

As Wilson heard the footsteps nearing him, his expression darkened. Who was this bold person?

“I need your help.” He heard a cold voice.

Recognizing her as the girl from earlier, Wilson’s annoyance faded away. His captivating black eyes flickered with curiosity.

“What do you need?”

As long as Yvette’s request wasn’t unreasonable, he would help her.

Without a word, Yvette wrapped her arms around his neck and rose on her tiptoes.

In the next moment, her rosy lips were close to his.

Wilson’s eyes darkened instantly, his Adam’s apple bobbing fiercely.

But just as Yvette’s lips were about to touch his, she pressed her thumb against his mouth, preventing their lips from meeting.

Wilson couldn’t grasp his emotions at that instant. His throat tightened as he recalled the unexpected flutter he experienced when he thought she would kiss him.

His countenance grew stern. He couldn’t believe he was feeling this stirred up over a girl.

“Where’d she go?”

The gang that was chasing her hurriedly caught up, only to see the two of them embracing passionately, like a couple madly in love.

Suspicion flickered in their eyes, and they were about to approach the couple when Wilson’s icy gaze swept over them. His irritation was obvious, instilling a sense of fear within them.

With just one look, he managed to intimidate them completely. The gang felt a chill run down their spines as they were rooted to the spot.

A person who could book the top suites at Royal Pavillion was either wealthy or influential—certainly not someone they could afford to offend.

“She’s not here. We’ll look for her in the other direction.”

Seeing that the gang dashed off in another direction, Yvette blinked her long, curled lashes, withdrawing her arms from around his neck.

She took a step back, creating distance between them.

“Thanks.” Yvette’s tone remained indifferent as she strode away with her slender legs.

But just when she took a step forward, she was pulled back into his embrace by a pair of large hands.

“How dare you take advantage of me and leave right away?” Wilson’s deep, magnetic voice sent shivers down her spine, as it was inexplicably seducing.

He added, “Do things always work out this conveniently for you?”

Was he expecting something from her? As Yvette reached into her pocket to offer him money, she realized she had nothing on her except for that chip.

Seeing her attempt to bribe him, Wilson pulled out his phone and waved it in front of her.

His lips curved into a subtle, seductive smile that sent shivers down her spine, both enticing and captivating her in an instant.

“I don’t want money, just leave me your number. Treat me to a meal, and I’ll call it even.”

Yvette thought that the man before her was cunning like a fox. She lowered her gaze. She didn’t like owing people favors. Thus, she took his phone and left her number.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Can I go now?” Yvette handed the phone back to him, her stunning eyes devoid of emotion.

“Of course.” Wilson’s lazy, magnetic voice carried a hint of amusement, its allure undeniable.

“Until next time.”

It wasn’t until Yvette had walked away that Wilson withdrew his gaze.

There was a faint smile playing on his lips. He was clearly in good spirits.

Emerging from the shadows, Samuel couldn’t help but express his confusion. “Mr. Quinn, you didn’t need to help that girl just now…”

Given Wilson’s stature, he did not need to play along with Yvette to protect her. Besides, he was known for being a huge germaphobe. How could he tolerate such close contact with the girl just now?

As Samuel was puzzled over this, Wilson’s amused voice sounded leisurely. “Yeah, I did that on purpose.”

Samuel was shocked upon hearing that.

…

“Boss, are you okay?” As Yvette stepped out of the gate of Royal Pavillion, Jake hurriedly ran out of the car.

He scanned her and was relieved to find no injuries on her.

“Thank goodness you’re okay, boss. I was about to send people to rescue you! It’s all my fault for getting the wrong location…”

“Don’t let it happen again.”

Jake nodded vigorously, “I promise there won’t be next time, boss!”

Yvette didn’t say anything else. She pulled the chip from her pocket and tossed it to him.

“Bring it to the lab and have them analyze it.”

Jake hastily caught the chip. After all, such a small piece of technology was worth billions, so he had to handle it with care.

“Boss, aren’t you participating in this research? The folks at the research institute are constantly talking about wanting to see you. They’re eager for your guidance. Plus, if you’re involved, the chances of success will be even higher.”

“I’ll visit the lab when I have time,” Yvette replied casually. Soon after, she received a message request on WhatsApp.

Only a few people knew her private phone number, so it was obvious who had added her on WhatsA