Pursuit, Runaway, Love

Upon seeing Elijah Harper again, Yvonne Brooks instantly perked up. His slender figure and perfect facial features were breathtaking, and his impeccably tailored suit displayed not a single wrinkle.

Even the platinum cufflinks on his shirt emitted a cold, gleaming light. This man was not only handsome but also exuded a godlike aloofness and restraint.

Yvonne licked her red lips and lowered the already loose neckline by nearly ten centimeters.

"Mr. Harper." She purred with a delicate voice, drawing out the final syllable like a lonely cat on a spring night.

Elijah didn't pay any attention. His head was still buried in a pile of documents. The evening sun shone through the window, adding a touch of elegance to his figure.

Yvonne couldn't wait any longer. It seemed that no man could resist her temptation. She had met Elijah twice, teasing him both times, yet he remained guarded, leaving her somewhat frustrated.

But third time's the charm! She was determined to make Elijah feel something!

Yvonne sashayed toward the man sitting at the desk. "It's almost time to get off work. Why are you still so busy?"

Elijah furrowed his brows upon hearing her words and looked at Yvonne. She took another step closer, gazing into his watery eyes. "Mr. Harper, I came specifically to deliver the documents for you."

"Miss Brooks, I already mentioned over the phone two days ago that you can give the 'Brooks Group' infringement case files to my assistant," Elijah responded. His charismatic and chilly voice was tinged with a hint of disdain.

"But if I didn't come, how could I have seen you!" Yvonne exclaimed and placed the folder in front of Elijah's eyes, her fingers "accidentally" brushing against his palm.

At this moment, an ordinary man would have eagerly grabbed Yvonne's hand. But Elijah remained calm and promptly urged her to leave. "The documents have been delivered. Miss Brooks, you may go now."

Yvonne wasn't annoyed; instead, she smiled. She then rested her hand on Elijah's deep-blue, checkered tie. "You have such a great taste in ties. Is this the new autumn collection from DG?"

Yvonne purposely tilted her head and allowed a strand of her hair to brush against Elijah's bare arm. It was gentle, like a bewitching hook. Her alluring eyes were fixed on him.

She was wearing a black, slim-fit, low-cut dress today, making her look even more beautiful. Elijah could clearly see her ample bosom. After a few seconds, Yvonne felt Elijah's breath becoming somewhat erratic. Could it be that Elijah was excited as well?!

Yvonne was excited. Her hand slowly moved upwards and landed on Elijah's prominent Adam's apple. With just a touch, Elijah's gaze deepened, and he suddenly pulled her into his embrace. "How do you want to play?" Elijah's deep voice sounded particularly enticing.

"Of course, we'll play however we like!" Yvonne grabbed onto his neck with both hands, her deep purple eyeliner accentuating her charm. Elijah's gaze locked onto the person in his arms, and he chuckled deeply. "You are quite bold."

"Do you prefer someone who takes the initiative, or someone who hesitates?" Yvonne's eyes flirtatiously asked.

A hint of playfulness flashed in Elijah's eyes as his index finger lightly brushed against Yvonne's lips. Yvonne took the opportunity to gently bite down on his finger. The force was neither light nor heavy, like a cat's claw, but it scratched Elijah's heart just right.

Yvonne silently counted down. In less than three seconds, Elijah would give her a passionate kiss. Then, she would take advantage of the situation and make him surrender!

But Elijah's smile disappeared in an instant, and he pushed Yvonne away. Before Yvonne could react, a knocking sound came from the door. "Elijah, are you inside?"

The sweet and gentle voice was incredibly familiar to Yvonne. "Elijah, can I come in?" Grace Brooks's voice sounded tender.

The desire that had arisen in Elijah dissipated. He walked over to open the door. Yvonne quickly slipped a room key card into his suit pocket and grinned, "Baby, how about a date tonight?"

Elijah grabbed Yvonne's wrist from behind, and his warm breath fell on her ear. "Aren't you afraid that I'll chase after you?"

"I'm not afraid," Yvonne said, tiptoeing to kiss Elijah's cheek.

At this moment, the door was pushed open from the outside. Grace witnessed this scene. Yvonne hadn't even turned around, but she felt a sharp and resentful gaze piercing her spine. This was exactly what Yvonne wanted her to see.

She playfully pinched Elijah's cheek and smiled sweetly. "I'll be waiting for you at eight tonight."

If any other woman had behaved so arrogantly, Elijah would have slapped her long ago. But when Yvonne did it, he felt an inexplicable anticipation. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he touched the cheek that Yvonne had kissed. His fingertips were immediately stained with a rosy red color. The shade of red was as alluring as its owner's lipstick, dazzling yet captivating.

Grace, who had remained silent all this time, turned pale with anger. "Sister, what are you doing with Elijah?"

Yvonne glanced at the pitiful snake at the door and sneered, "If your brain is not working well, then try to think more. What can a man and woman do when they're alone together?"

At this moment, Elijah, who rarely smokes, picked up a cigarette.

Grace's face turned red, but she still maintained her noble and refined demeanor. "You should know that I will be engaged to Elijah next month."

"Engaged next month? But it's still not official yet!" Yvonne's red lips curved into a beautiful arc. "Even after getting married, there are cases of infidelity and divorce."

Yvonne, her stepsister, knew how to push her buttons. If she were to argue with her directly, Yvonne would still think highly of herself. Unfortunately, she loved to stab her in the back.

Yvonne couldn't express her disgust toward Grace.

Grace clenched her hands so tightly that veins were popping on her knuckles.

Yvonne knew she had angered Grace, so she picked up her purse and left.

Grace, with her curvaceous figure, standing at 5'5", had long legs that were fair and radiant. Her walk exuded a captivating charm. Just her back view alone could make men's blood boil.

Elijah, being a man himself, naturally felt a tightening in his throat.

"Elijah?" Grace called twice before Elijah snapped out of his reverie, responding softly with an "uh-huh."

"It's my father's birthday today. Shall we go to my house for dinner?" Grace asked indulgently.

Elijah returned to his original seat and caressed the spot on his cheek where Yvonne's lipstick had left a mark. "I can't go. I have to work overtime tonight."

"But I've already told my parents that you're coming. They've specifically prepared the dishes that you love. It's a family gathering tonight. We'll be engaged next month. It won't be appropriate if you don't come!" Grace tried to hold Elijah's hand, but he evaded it.

Elijah's eyes deepened as he carefully considered the "family gathering." After a pause, he said, "Then let's go."

"Elijah, you're so kind!" Grace couldn't contain her joy.

Despite her reluctance, Yvonne left Elijah's office and returned to what she called her "home."

Today was George's fifty-sixth or fifty-eighth birthday; she couldn't quite remember. However, she still had to observe the proper etiquette, so she bought George a set of ceramic tea ware.

It cost over four thousand dollars. It wasn't particularly extravagant, but it was already equivalent to her one month's salary.

She entered the house just in time for a meal, and her stepmother Mary maintained her usual indifference toward her. Surprisingly, Grace greeted her warmly.

If she hadn't seen Elijah in the living room, she would have thought Grace had changed her attitude completely!

Grace's acting skills were becoming more and more polished!

Elijah and George were playing chess, and Mary was watching them delightfully. Grace handed them each a piece of fruit on a plate, and they all laughed and chatted.

Truly a harmonious scene of affectionate elders and filial descendants.

Although Yvonne had long prepared herself to be ignored, a sense of desolation still crept into her heart.

Yvonne's legs were sore from standing. Mary finally noticed her and said, "Yvonne, it's your father's birthday today!"

Yvonne glanced at Elijah. Her gaze was filled with strong anticipation. Elijah kept his head down, staring at the chessboard, not even glancing at Yvonne once. Yvonne's confidence took a blow.

Grace walked over with a smile and said to Yvonne, "Let me open your gift and see what you have given him." Yvonne sat down, crossed her legs elegantly, and lit a cigarette.

"It's a tea set! It looks quite rough in texture. I wonder if it has any quality inspection reports. Sister, did you buy it for $199 with free shipping?" Grace's voice was gentle and pleasant, but full of malice.

"Grace, what kind of look is that? It was clearly $99 with free shipping and two rolls of toilet paper," Yvonne mocked, slowly blowing out a few white smoke rings.

In fact, Grace estimated that the tea set was definitely priced above $2,000 based on the label. She wanted to provoke Yvonne and create trouble. She wanted to draw Mary and George into the conflict to drive Yvonne away, but she didn't expect her to remain so calm.

The living room fell into an eerie silence instantly. Elijah's peripheral vision glanced at Yvonne. He could no longer look away.

Yvonne had a small face, with rosy lips and white teeth, exuding an indescribable charm. Her slightly curled long hair swayed at her waist, captivating him. And yet, she sat there with crossed legs, gently flicking smoke rings, as if all this had nothing to do with her.

George placed a chess piece heavily on the board. Mary immediately understood what he meant and walked toward Yvonne. "Your father raised you and provided for your education. Now that you're working, can't you buy him something better?"

Yvonne didn't want to argue with Mary and her daughter. She calmly lit another cigarette.

"Young and unruly! You can smoke and drink outside, I don't care. But at least show some respect when you are at home. Can't you learn from Grace?" Without even looking, Mary threw the tea set into the trash bin.

Yvonne's heart trembled. It cost her four thousand dollars, which was her salary for a month! Yvonne stubbed out the cigarette in her hand, picked up the tea set, and put it back in the packaging box. "If you don't want it, I'll keep it for Apollo's dog food." Apollo was Yvonne's black teddy.

George couldn't hold back any longer and threw a chess piece at Yvonne!