John Smith's question was so blunt that Wendy Lawson felt embarrassed.
The truth was, she had never actually slept with Owen Brown.
Instead of answering directly, she mustered her courage and tried to strike a deal."Lawyer Smith, I imagine my presence bothers you. If we sleep together and you help get my father out of prison, I promise to leave B City forever. I won't interfere with Miss Smith's marriage or bring any trouble to it."
John Smith let out a soft chuckle."Miss Lawson, do you want to save your father, or do you just want to sleep with me?"
Wendy Lawson's face flushed crimson. How could she possibly answer such a shameless question?
John Smith didn't press her further. He calmly finished his cigarette just as the traffic inched forward. He pulled the car over to the side of the road, and before Wendy could ask what he was doing, she heard a soft click as he unfastened her seatbelt.
The next moment, she found herself lifted and placed onto his lap.
Her coat slipped off, revealing her light, damp clothes underneath. The wet fabric quickly soaked into his iron-gray trousers, darkening them. The sight alone was enough to make the atmosphere feel scandalous. Outside, the storm raged on, and the windshield wipers moved rhythmically, occasionally clearing the view, only for it to blur again with rain.
Wendy was forced to lean against John Smith, their lips meeting in a heated kiss.
John Smith was highly skilled; with just a few motions, Wendy surrendered. She melted into his embrace, her senses dulled by the overwhelming situation. Occasionally, when she opened her eyes, she caught glimpses of her reflection on the window, surprised by how wanton she looked.
Was this really her?
As things heated up, John Smith, being the man of status that he was, wouldn't take it all the way in the car. He gently bit her lip and asked, his voice husky,"There's a high-end hotel nearby. How about we spend the night there?"
Wendy Lawson began to snap out of her daze.
Although she had been thoroughly swept up in the moment, she still had enough clarity to recognize that John Smith only wanted a fleeting affair. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pleading softly,"Lawyer Smith, my father…"
John Smith's interest waned immediately.
He with drew his hands and lit another cigarette, taking a slow drag before speaking."If you can't handle the game, don't play. It's no fun this way."
Wendy, determined not to give up, leaned in and kissed him again, hoping to reignite his passion.
John Smith didn't respond. His deep eyes simply gazed at her, unreadable.
Wendy's face flushed again. She had never behaved like this before, but her efforts were nowhere near enough to sway a man like John Smith.
He smoked half the cigarette before stubbing it out, his voice cool once more."I'll take you home."
Wendy no longer had the nerve to sit on his lap and quietly shifted off him.
Everyone knew how awkward it was to stop midway through something like this. Neither of them was comfortable.
John Smith's gaze lingered on her face, his breathing slightly heavier.
Wendy returned to the passenger seat, no longer wearing his jacket, and turned her head to look out the window.
She understood that with her looks, she could never make John Smith break his principles. A sense of despair washed over her.
For the rest of the drive, the car was filled with silence. Neither of them spoke.
When they arrived at her apartment, the rain had stopped. John Smith didn't get out to open her door. He merely nodded politely at her.
Wendy, unwilling to let the opportunity slip, asked,"Lawyer Smith, can I add you on WeChat?"
John Smith declined, but perhaps because of their brief physical encounter, he pointed her toward a solution."Find Lawyer Mason. If he takes your father's case, he can probably get the sentence reduced by a few years."
After that, he leaned over and selected a business card from the glove compartment."Here's Lawyer Mason's contact information."
Wendy held the card tightly in her hand but was reluctant to leave the car.
John Smith leaned across her, opened the door himself, and spoke calmly."Miss Lawson, making deals with your body is something you'll regret later."
Even with all her stubbornness, Wendy had no choice but to leave the car.
As soon as the door shut, John Smith immediately drove off.
Wendy stood in the cold night, her body trembling as a chill crept over her.
She had gambled everything, but it seemed she had lost. The warmth of his jacket, his brief moment of desire—it all disappeared as quickly as the rain had stopped. Wendy was left standing there, alone, feeling the icy grip of reality settle in.
What had she been thinking? Trying to trade her body for her father's freedom? She clutched the business card in her hand, wondering if John Smith was right. Would she regret this forever?
She looked up at the sky. The storm had passed, but her world was still filled with uncertainty.