Rion grinned sinisterly and said, "Miss, the three and a half minutes also include wiping the milk off your mouth. Don't leave the breadcrumbs from yesterday at the corner of your lips—that's something only beggars do. Of course, beggars do it to savor the taste of food, but you? You're just slow as an ox!"
"Ah—" I cried in front of him! "Boohoo... I've had enough of you! When my cousin comes back, I'm leaving this hell!"
Rion froze, muttering to himself, "Strange, a 25-year-old woman still cries like a child?"
What's wrong with crying? I've been bullied enough!
He reluctantly sat down beside me. "Stop crying, I apologize. My attitude was a bit harsh. This is training all members have to go through. It'll get better with time!" As he spoke, he pulled me into his arms and patted my back. "Alright, stop crying, okay? I'm honored to tell you, you're the first member to cry. You've set a record!"
I wiped all my tears on his pristine white suit, laughing inwardly, hahaha... I've got him now. Turns out, this guy has no immunity to a woman's tears!
From now on, if I can't win, I'll just cry in front of him. A woman's tears are always the deadliest weapon!
Two weeks of training passed, and I could now perform basic maneuvers with my abilities without drinking alcohol. Additionally, I learned how to shoot, though my aim was still far from perfect.
I also picked up some basic knowledge: vampires fear silver, wooden stakes, and sunlight. However, they've developed high-strength sunscreen that can withstand three to four hours of intense UV exposure. They've also created cloned blood for consumption, but elf blood cannot be replicated. It can, however, enhance their abilities—just 5 milliliters of elf blood can boost a newly turned vampire's power by fifty years.
Rion said I could take a break, as he needed to visit a subordinate branch to check on the training progress of new members. He would leave at midnight, so he also needed a few hours of rest.
Bevis would return tomorrow, and I wanted to be in the best condition so he wouldn't worry about me looking exhausted.
Following the usual dating protocol, I chose the most luxurious violet evening gown from my closet, paired it with a white cape, tied up my hair, and applied delicate makeup. I looked like a peacock displaying its plumage as I invited my target, Dene, to a candlelit dinner at a reserved restaurant.
Fortunately, he agreed!
Sitting in his Bugatti, he wore his usual lukewarm smile. "Do you miss Bevis?"
"Sort of. I just have a lot to say to him."
"He knows you're doing well."
"Some things can be communicated just through eye contact. It's something you wouldn't understand. Just looking at Bevis makes me feel at ease."
He paused for a long time before saying, "That must be a wonderful emotion."
I curled my lips, looking at his handsome profile, and said excitedly, "Bevis has always been very fond of me. When we were kids..."
Suddenly, he turned cold and cut me off. "I didn't ask about your childhood. Don't use your personal stories as a tool for emotional connection."
Is he crazy? One moment he's gentle as a breeze, the next he's cold as ice. Frowning, I defended myself innocently, "I only told you because I consider you a friend. Don't act so guarded just because Rion gave me the task of seducing you."
He fell silent, his stunning face stiffening as he stopped speaking.
As you can imagine, it was a terrible date.
Silence, silence... Aside from the clinking of dishes and the flickering of candlelight, there was no conversation, while the couples at other tables chatted and laughed happily.
In comparison, I preferred the Dene who wore a disguise and interrogated me seriously for hours in the police interrogation room.
Halfway through the meal, a tall man in a silver-gray suit stood silently in front of me, unmoving like an iceberg, freezing the air around me.
I looked up, and a pair of smiling deep blue eyes met mine, like shining stars. His auburn hair was sleek and stylishly combed back, revealing his strikingly handsome face, which grew even more breathtaking, like a rose suddenly blooming before my eyes, ethereal and otherworldly.
My body seemed to be pulled up by an invisible force, rising uncontrollably. In my daze, I felt an indescribable joy. "Lionel? You... what are you doing here?"
I hadn't seen him in two weeks, and I felt as though I missed him terribly. Despite my resistance, I couldn't suppress this strange emotion. I wondered if I was truly bewitched.
He curled his lips, slightly leaned down, and whispered hoarsely, "Why am I here? Even I don't know. Maybe... it's to meet you."
As he spoke, he looked me over. "Margie, has anyone told you how beautiful you look tonight?" He raised his hand, and his cold fingertips touched my cheek, sending a shiver through me. His gaze locked onto mine as he slowly and softly said, "You really are beautiful."
"Thank you. You're the first to say so." I couldn't help but smile, meeting his gaze. In that moment, it felt like our souls connected, drawn together. Every cell in my body trembled with intoxication, as if the world consisted only of the two of us.
"It's my honor."
With that, he took my hand and gently pressed a cold kiss on the back of it.
The intimate touch froze me in place, my hand seemingly entranced, stiffened in his grasp, unwilling to pull away.
"Margie, aren't you going to introduce me to your companion?" He subtly released my hand and then pulled up a chair to sit beside me.