Jolie didn’t like the way Gavin’s gaze lingered on her.It was heavy, oppressive, and carried an intensity that made her inexplicably tense and uneasy.”Mr. Cooper, aren’t you busy these days?” she asked, attempting to shift the atmosphere.””Not too busy,” he replied, his tone flat and indifferent.Jolie was speechless.How could someone be so adept at killing a conversation?Still, for the Quin family, he was a distinguished guest. She couldn’t afford to appear impolite or neglectful, or her parents would never let her hear the end of it. Being grounded would be the least of her worries. Yet, she didn’t want to engage with Gavin more than necessary.For one, she didn’t like him. He was rigid, dull, and utterly devoid of emotional value.And for another, she refused to play into Daisy’s obvious plans. It was clear that her parents wanted her entangled with Gavin, but she had no intention of letting that happen.Caught in the push and pull of these conflicting feelings, Jolie found herself staring blankly at her wine glass, lost in thought.She didn’t even notice when Gavin moved closer, until suddenly, her chin was tilted upward by the light press of his fingers.Startled, Jolie snapped out of her daze. Her eyes flashed with confusion before the situation fully registered.She immediately took two steps back. “Mr. Cooper, what are you doing?”Why had he suddenly gotten so close? And what was with this intimate gesture?Did he not care about how this might look to others?Gavin slowly lowered his hand, his thumb rubbing against his fingertips as if savoring the lingering sensation of her soft skin. His movements were unhurried, almost contemplative, and carried an air of deliberate purpose. Gavin’s eyes locked onto hers, his voice calm yet commanding. “I’m standing right in front of you, and you’re lost in thought. What’s on your mind?” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Fɪndηovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Jolie blinked, resisting the urge to roll her eyes dramatically.Why couldn’t she think about something else just because he was standing there? Did he really expect her entire focus to be on him?What an arrogant, self-absorbed man.Her dislike for him deepened.Forcing a polite smile, she replied, “Apologies, did you say something? I was distracted, thinking about something else.”She intended to just find a topic and steer the conversation away.But Gavin didn’t let up. His piercing gaze remained fixed on her, his voice dipping slightly. “You’redeliberately avoiding me. Wel.neHer heart skipped a beat. How was he so sharp?She’d been so careful, masking her disinterest, yet he still managed to see through her.But she couldn’t admit it. To acknowledge it would be to offend him-and that wasn’t a risk she could afford. Keeping her composure, Jolie let out a soft laugh. “Mr. Cooper, you’re mistaken. I’m not avoiding you.” “Is that so?”Gavin suddenly averted his gaze, his tone nonchalant as if the conversation no longer interested him. Jolie couldn’t tell what he was thinking or feeling, and that unsettled her even more.Jolie tightened her grip on the wine glass, her thoughts spinning as she tried to decipher his intentions. “When are you planning to repay me for last time?”The sudden statement hit like a bombshell.The smile on Jolie’s face froze instantly.Last time.She thought he’d let it go, and assumed he wouldn’t bring it up again.Yet here he was, still holding on to it.She didn’t want any ties to him-none at all.Lowering her gaze slightly, a flickerPavelof panic flashed through her eyes But she quickly regained her composure, determined to put this matter to rest. “Mr. Cooper, what do you need? If it’s something I can manage, I’ll do it, but I have my limits.”Gavin’s gaze bore into her, calm yet sharp. “You said you’d repay me. Are you planning to go back on your word?”Jolie looked at him, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. “Then just tell me what you want already.”Her tone was sharper than intended, her mask of politeness cracking.Beneath it, her true emotions began to show-raw impatience, a simmering dislike, and the exasperation of dealing with him.For a moment, Gavin thought hecaught a glimpse of somethingdeeper in her eyes: a profound disgust and weariness, as though dealing with him was an unbearable chore.