Chapter 12

In an instant, L noticed Sienna's gaze lingering on his collarbone and trailing downward with an almost shameless hunger. His expression relaxed. Was this woman for real? Sienna wasn't just struck by his stunning face; his body was equally mesmerizing. He had a perfectly sculpted V-shape, a narrow, strong waist, and abs that looked like they had been carved by an artist. Every line was flawless. Even his long legs, visible beneath the towel, were lean and irresistibly toned. Wait, could this guy truly be her rival? How could he look like this? Sienna couldn't believe it. Her admiration was practically dripping off her face. "Have you seen enough?" A cool, magnetic voice sounded above her. "Or, are you so satisfied that you can't bear to look away from certain parts?" He gestured toward his towel. Sienna's face flushed red in an instant. She hadn't meant to stare there! "I'm sorry!" She quickly turned to leave. "Miss," L said playfully, "you're pulling off my towel." Sienna froze and glanced down. What the… The edge of his towel was somehow caught in her hand! She panicked, trying to release it, but her foot caught on the carpet as she turned. She then stumbled, and in her unsteady motion, the towel slipped completely from L's waist. "Ah! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed while tightly shutting her eyes. "Careful!" L frowned and grabbed her to keep her from falling. With a thud, Sienna opened her eyes slowly, only to find herself sprawled on top of him. To make things worse, her hand was still gripping the towel. It was now wrapped awkwardly around her back, covering both of them. In other words, he was now completely uncovered. It was only then that Sienna realized just how compromising their position was. "You'd better not move," L said hoarsely, his voice low and steady. Sienna froze like a statue while her face was burning scarlet. "I-I won't look! I'll just give the towel back slowly!" she stammered with eyes squeezed shut as her trembling hand fumbled with the towel. But when she didn't hear him respond and noticed his breathing grow heavier, she cracked one eye open. He was staring intently at her neckline, his dark eyes blazing with heat. Sienna looked down, and she quickly screamed while shouting, "You pervert! What are you staring at?" L's gaze shifted to her legs. Sienna followed his eyes and realized her pleated skirt was incredibly short. Frustrated and flustered, her face reddened further. "Just close your eyes!" "With the way you're dressed, weren't you planning to show it off to me?" His voice was raspy, teasing, and maddeningly arrogant. But then again, It wasn't her choice! Someone else made her change into this outfit! Sienna tried to shift her position and moved her head slightly. Suddenly, L let out a muffled groan and snapped, "I can't guarantee where your face might end up if you keep moving." Sienna froze, her cheeks flaming as she realized what he meant. L then reached behind her to tug the towel loose, gently maneuvering her off him. Sienna sat to the side, covering her eyes with her hands and breathing heavily. "A-Are you done?" L glanced at her flushed face and couldn't help but let a faint smile tug at his lips. "Stand up slowly," he instructed. He was worried she might fall again. Sienna only opened her eyes once she saw he'd secured the towel around his waist. Even so, something about him seemed oddly familiar. As she stared at his impossibly handsome features, Sienna remembered her mission. "Hey, are you Vertex Jewelry's owner? Is your last name Lawson?" "And who are you?" L replied with a lofty tone. It was as if he had no idea who she was. "I'm the owner of Fortuna—your rival!" Sienna said indignantly. "Never heard of it," L answered with an air of arrogance, his deep eyes unreadable. Never heard of it? He had even emailed her before to insult her! Sienna refused to believe he didn't recognize her. "Are you or are you not the one with the last name Lawson?" she asked again with uncertainty. L cast her a dark, warning glance. "Do you think it's safe standing here dressed like that? Or are you interested in watching me put on my pants? If anything else happens, don't blame me for pinning you down." Sienna froze. She quickly looked down and realized her blouse was practically falling apart! Meanwhile, L casually began loosening his towel. "Ah, you pervert!" She fled the room in frustration and embarrassment with a crimson-red face. Meanwhile, a group of people froze outside the room. Their eyes were glued to the stunning woman storming out with an air of grace. Before they could react further, L suddenly appeared, swiftly covering their eyes. Kyle hastily moved the discarded clothes aside and turned to see the tall and imposing L stepping out, now wearing a mask. Confused, he asked, "L! Why are you suddenly wearing a mask?" "Who let her in here?" L's voice was deep and cold. Kyle immediately froze under his icy glare, raising his hand sheepishly. "I-I brought her in..." "And you made her dress like that?" "It was just a gift for you, to spice up your newlywed life!" L shot him a dark look and ordered Shane, who stood nearby, "Tell a female manager to wrap her up in proper clothes. Quickly." With his gold-rimmed glasses and a mischievous smile, Shane nodded and stepped out to handle the task. At the same time, Kyle chuckled nervously. "L, I know you're reluctant to do it, but I heard even pregnant women can also… Anyway, maybe you should take a cold shower first?" His eyes darted pointedly toward L's waist. L glared at him, yanked his tie, and dragged Kyle into the bathroom with him. "Ow, L, I was wrong! By the way, why are you wearing that mask again? You haven't used it in years. It used to be to fend off predatory women because you were too good-looking. What is it now? Are you avoiding someone?" Meanwhile, Shane returned and saw that Sienna hadn't left yet. She stood at the entrance, talking angrily on the phone with Zoe. "What Vertex CEO? He's just some pretentious jerk! He even made me change clothes—what kind of pervert likes Playboy Bunny fashion? Forget trying to flatter him, I'll go head-to-head with that creep!" Her delicate, indignant voice floated down the hall. L's lips twitched subtly, his gaze unreadable. Shane glanced at L, clearly amused as he said to Kyle, "If L's wearing the mask, there must be someone he's avoiding, a reason he can't explain, or a secret he's hiding." "What secret?" Kyle asked. … Sienna had changed back into her regular clothes but was still grumbling. Zoe interrupted her, asking, "What does your mortal enemy even look like?" Reluctantly, Sienna admitted, "Better looking than me." Zoe squawked in disbelief. "Better looking than you? How ridiculously handsome must he be?" Sienna pouted. "I'm not even sure he's the one with the last name Lawson. I asked him several times, and he refused to answer. I hope the real guy's hideous beyond..." Suddenly, she bumped into someone. Spinning around, she found herself face-to-face with a masked L. The sight startled her so much that she almost dropped her phone. "Mr. L, why are you here?" she stammered upon noticing how dark his expression was. Remembering where they were and recalling how intimately she had just interacted with a stranger, Sienna immediately lowered her head. A trace of guilt was flickering across her face. "Who do you hope is hideous?" L asked. "Certainly not you," Sienna replied quickly. "Who gave you permission to come to a place like this?" L demanded, his sharp gaze fixed on her. "You said we wouldn't interfere in each other's business. I have things to do here, so feel free to carry on," she answered, attempting to sound nonchalant. Intimidated by his imposing presence, she turned to leave, but something in the distance caught her eye. At the far end of the hallway, she saw Natalie entering a private room. Moments later, another man followed her in. And it wasn't William. Sienna narrowed her eyes coldly. The Rhodes family had crushed her so thoroughly that she was desperate for revenge. She couldn't afford to let any potential leverage slip away. "I have something to do. I'll be going now," she said hurriedly while moving toward the private room. The room was tucked away at the end of the hallway, and the door was locked. Just as she was at a loss, L approached casually. He swiped a card and unlocked the door without hesitation. The door immediately clicked open. Sienna gaped at him, staring at the handsome man behind the mask. Suspicion crept into her mind. "Mr. L, are you the kind of people who are involved in shady dealings here? Is that how you've made your fortune?" Her wild imagination conjured up images of extortion and blackmail. L merely glanced back at her with a deadpan expression. After all, this was his club. "I'm the kind who could easily make you pregnant." Sienna was tongue-tied by L's response. Without another word, the two slipped silently into the room. The private suite was spacious, and Natalie's voice suddenly came from near the window. Before Sienna could react, L grabbed her and pulled her into a wardrobe near the door.