CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 97: CAN YOU AFFORD MY LIFE?

Just as she walked into the living room, the large room was brightly lit, but there was no one there, nor were there any servants working.

Feeling puzzled, she walked up the stairs, but when she saw who was standing at the top of the second-floor staircase, she was so startled that she almost slipped down the stairs.

Kyle Kinston was standing at the stairway entrance, dressed in casual home attire, looking at her with those deep, dark eyes that exuded a kind of cold indifference.

For a moment, Mabel Quinn didn’t know what to do. When she saw him at the library earlier, there were at least many people between them, so it wasn’t as awkward as it was now.

The surroundings were silent, and the awkward atmosphere kept spreading between the two of them.

Mabel licked her slightly dry lips and said, "I had dinner with friends today, so I came back a bit late." As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately cursed herself inwardly. Her words seemed to be explaining something to him, but the problem was, she had no need to report her whereabouts to him at all.

His eyes still coldly fixed on her.

"I’m going back to my room," she said, hurriedly planning to pass him and return to her room.

But as they passed by each other, his fingers suddenly clasped her arm, forcing her steps to a halt.

"Mr. Kinston?" she turned her head and said, feeling the chill at his fingertips through the thin fabric of her clothes.

He didn’t look at her but instead lowered his gaze to where he held her arm, as if contemplating something.

She couldn’t help but feel her palms grow slightly cold with sweat, feeling that this Kyle was giving off an indescribable sensation. It was different from the danger he exuded when they first met in the underground garage; it was another kind that made it seem her life might undergo some significant change due to his current contemplation.

His eyelids half-lowered, the long, thick lashes partially covering his eyes, "Mabel Quinn, tell me, in this life of yours, how can I possess you?"

She froze, not expecting him to ask such a question, pressing her red lips together, she firmly clenched her fists and said, "I’m sorry, I have no intention of trading away my life."

He slowly raised his gaze, his eyes falling on her face, "Are you saying it’s impossible?"

His gaze undoubtedly brought her immense pressure, she forced herself to muster the courage, bracing herself, "Yes."

His gaze grew even sharper, as if it was going to pierce right through her.

She took a deep breath, deciding to speak her mind outright, "President Kinston, just as you’ve never considered letting anyone have your life, you should understand the principle of not imposing on others what you do not desire."

Kyle Kinston smiled instead of getting angry, "How do you know I haven’t thought about it?" But his eyes held not a trace of laughter.

Mabel Quinn looked at Kyle Kinston in astonishment, "You’ve thought about it?"

He answered her question with another, "But Mabel Quinn, could you afford to have my life?"

How did this come back to her?! Her head spun—she never said she wanted his life! "One’s life isn’t something you can simply demand; it’s about mutual honesty and finding companionship in one another. In my life, I will only cherish those I love, who love me in return," she blurted out.