Chapter 1623

After getting into the car, Samuel pulled down the partition separating them from the front seat. The small space now held only the two of them, so quiet that they could almost hear each other's heartbeats. Samuel had clearly mentioned discussing last night’s incident, yet now he remained silent. The atmosphere grew so awkward that Xiao Qingqing wished she could vanish into thin air. But then she remembered—it was Su Jiaojiao and Yang Yun who had schemed against her, inadvertently dragging Samuel into the mess. Gathering her courage, she finally spoke up, "Uncle Jing, I can’t help but wonder… why were you there with me last night?" He turned to meet her gaze, his sharp jawline accentuated by the smoky-gray shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal his collarbone. His long legs were crossed, and his prominent Adam’s apple moved slightly as he spoke, his voice smooth as jade. "If it wasn’t me," he said, "would you have preferred that old fool instead?" Xiao Qingqing’s cheeks flushed inexpli