Fake Vows & Forbidden Flames

Chapter 21: Who Dares Meddle With Me?

What the hell was going on? Dora twisted violently, trying to break free from Jasper’s grip, yet a faint smile curled her lips in defiance. “Mr. Qi? A kiss seems too cheap. How about I repay you with my body?”

Jasper froze, caught off guard by her bold reply. That split second of hesitation was all Dora needed—she slammed her heel down hard on his foot, then shoved him away forcefully. “p*****t! Keep dreaming! I never asked for your help—serves you right!”

She turned to flee, but Jasper grabbed her wrist, his voice sharp with anger. “You dare step on me?” The stiletto heel had dug deep, and he could feel a throbbing pain spreading across his instep—she’d clearly put all her strength into it.

Dora wriggled her wrist, refusing to back down. “Stepping on you is lenient! Keep harassing me, and I’ll crush your foot! Let go! Or I’ll scream for help!”

Jasper’s jaw tightened, his grip clamping down harder. “I’d like to see who dares meddle with me!” With a sharp yank, he pulled her back into his arms. Dora instinctively tried to kick, but her dress tangled her legs—he seized the opening, pinning her firmly against the wall, his broad frame trapping hers.

Panicked yet fiery, Dora scratched and struggled, her face flushed with rage. “Is this how Mr. Qi treats so-called ‘mediocre’ women? Don’t you know forced advances taste like ash?”

The soft warmth of her body pressed against his stirred an unfamiliar feeling in Jasper. He lowered his voice, its timbre deepening. “I don’t mind.” At first, he’d only been teasing her, but now he was determined to teach her a lesson.

Dora turned her head to dodge his advances, then screamed at the top of her lungs as his shadow loomed closer. “Mr. Dell! Help me!”

A crisp “clink” echoed as a diamond watch slipped from Jasper’s hand and hit the floor. He pulled back abruptly, glancing around sharply—but there was no trace of Mr. Dell.

It was the second time she’d outwitted him.

If she’d screamed “help” blindly, he wouldn’t have cared. But naming Mr. Dell—someone he’d just greeted—had made him hesitate. Still clutching her wrist, Dora swung her handbag at him. “Jasper Qi! Let me go! I swear I’ll scream for real!”

“Buzzkill. Stop yelling like a stuck pig.” Jasper stepped back, picking up his watch. “I won’t touch you—but you broke my watch. How do you plan to fix this?” He’d meant it as a joke, but the watch was genuinely worth over a million dollars.

Dora paused, eyeing the watch. It looked similar to Keith’s—definitely pricey. “I can’t afford to replace it. The best I can do is get it repaired.”

“That’s more like it.” Jasper slipped the watch into his pocket. “When? And don’t even think about cutting corners—this piece costs seven figures.”

Dora inwardly groaned but kept her expression neutral. She knew he’d never let her take the watch and ghost him later. Glancing at the loose leather strap, she snapped, “Name your time. You’re such a penny-pincher.”

Arguing was futile—this man was nothing but trouble, and she needed to extricate herself fast.