(7 Fresh Coins) Chapter 18 (Part 1) Obsession
That smile was so familiar that Antonio was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at the other person.
This person… was still so beautiful. The beautiful smile he thought he'd never see again appeared before him when he was utterly despairing. And even knowing that smile was poisonous, he still easily succumbed once more. His body seemed to move beyond his control, slowly approaching her, reaching out to touch that radiant face, a hint of confusion in his voice as he murmured, “I want to know… what do you want? Why… why did you appear before me like this, at this time?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Francisco.” Miss Peggy’s beautiful cat-like eyes showed deep confusion. She gently shook her head, skillfully avoiding the man’s touch. “I don’t understand what you mean at all.”
Seeing her deliberately avoid him, a sharp glint flashed in Antonio's deep eyes. Now that they had met again, he was determined not to let this person disappear from his sight again. A slow smile played on his lips as he swiftly cupped the back of her head and lowered his head to kiss those incredibly alluring, soft lips.
Startled by his sudden action, Miss Peggy instinctively tried to push away the man who had been groping her. However, his strength was astonishing, and she couldn't break free for a moment. Pushing him away would have been easy for her, given her skills, but it would likely cause unnecessary trouble—she had noticed someone approaching in their direction from a distance. And this man, he must have known this all along.
Fortunately, the man knew when to stop. He quickly looked up, loosening his grip on the back of her head and sliding his hand down to her shoulder. Peggy raised her head slightly, her gaze calm: "Perhaps you should understand the consequences of your presumptuous behavior. Or rather... are you prepared to face the Earl's wrath?"
“It’s strange. Even though you keep talking about other men, I still can’t hate you… Why? Why am I still so… infatuated with you?” Antonio seemed even more bewildered. He looked down and stared intently into the other’s eyes. “Is it because of these eyes? What spell have they cast on me that I have no power to resist?”
The previously composed beauty finally frowned slightly, turning her head to avoid his overly intense gaze: "Mr. Francisco, someone as noble as you should bestow your love upon a lady of equal nobility. As for someone as ordinary as me, I do not possess such magic..."
“You’re wrong.” Antonio quickly refuted her, his tone becoming even more resolute. “No one is more wicked than you—able to make a man lose or gain the whole world in an instant… and I will never let go of this world!” As he spoke, his hands dug deeply into her shoulders, and his handsome face gradually took on an unusually obsessive look.
“You are right about one thing.” Suddenly, an elegant and magnetic voice came from nearby, growing closer and closer, “Miss Peggy herself is sin—a sweet sin that makes people fall into it without realizing it.”
Upon hearing this, the two turned around simultaneously, only to see Count Tulip standing before them, a smile on his face as always. He seemed unconcerned about his ambiguous behavior towards Antonio and Peggy, and naturally extended his right hand to Peggy: "Miss Peggy, would you mind joining me for dinner?"
Although the Earl of Tulip displayed impeccable gentlemanly manners, it couldn't conceal the fact that he was blatantly lying—it was already 9 PM, where was the "dinner"? Antonio's face darkened, but he didn't speak. Instead, he slowly released his hands and took a step back. He knew the Earl had already given him ample face, and he had no say in the matter. Although the Middle Ages were long gone, some traditions persisted. In public, his actions could easily be seen as a provocation to the Earl of Tulip, and they might very well have to duel over Miss Peggy—and as it stood, he wasn't confident he could withstand a direct confrontation with the Earl of Tulip.
“Of course, I would be delighted.” Miss Peggy nodded, revealing a stunningly beautiful smile that could captivate anyone.
The backs of the two leaving hand in hand looked so harmonious and perfect. However, to the man watching all this, it was so glaring that it almost drove him mad. No matter what Count Tulip thought of that person, he would never allow that person to be with another man! Thinking of this, Antonio slowly lowered his head, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
After a long while, he finally straightened up and slowly walked towards the front hall.
Author's Note:
Cat has slightly revised the first half of the chapter, so please take note! ┌(┘3└)┐
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