Jolie froze in place, standing on the second floor with her hands gripping the stair railing, her fingers tightening slightly.The man downstairs seemed to sense her gaze and looked up.Startled, Jolie instinctively turned her head away. However, there was nowhere to hide on the second floor, making her attempt to avoid him somewhat comical. “What are you hiding from?”The man’s deep, magnetic voice rose from downstairs, his tone casual but carrying a faint sharpness that echoed in her ears.Jolie pressed her lips together, taking a deep breath before forcing a smile onto her face. She turned around and said, “Mr. Cooper, you must be joking. Why would I be hiding? I just remembered I left something in my room. I’ll go get it.” Without waiting for a reply, she spun on her heel and headed back to her room.She had decided to stay locked inside until he left. Surely, he wouldn’t stick around forever.But what puzzled her even more was why he was here in the first place.Was he here to see Selena?The thought of him liking her sister made her expression darken.Being tangled up with a man who had feelings for her sister-how utterly miserable.She silently hoped he would hurry up and use the remaining nine requests, ending this maddeningly complicated relationship as soon as possible.After staying in her room for a while, Jolie glanced at the time. It was nearly dinner.Knock, knock!Just then, a knock came at her door.”Who is it?”She asked, confused, as she walked toward the door. Opening it, she found herself meeting the gaze of the man standing outside.He was dressed in a perfectlytailored black suit, his tall,commanding figure exuding animposing, sharp aura. His dark eyes, as deep and piercing as obsidian, locked onto her face with anintensity that left her feeling trapped.”Mr. Cooper?”Jolie tightened her grip on the doorknob, her heart tensing with unease. Why had he come upstairs so suddenly?Was he deliberately waiting for her?How utterly childish.Couldn’t he tell she didn’t want anything to do with him?Gavin didn’t miss the swirl of emotions in her eyes but chose not to call her out on it this time. In a calm and indifferent tone, he said, “Dinner’s ready.” Hearing that, Jolie felt a wave of relief. So, he was just here to let her know about dinner.She smiled politely and nodded. “Got it. I’ll be right down.”She stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her, and turned to head downstairs. But the next moment, Gavin’s hand suddenly pressed against her waist, pinning her back against the door. “Mr. Cooper, what are you doing?”Jolie gasped instinctively, lowering her voice to avoid drawing attention. Her eyes were filled with wariness.The two of them were now impossibly close.The faint scent of cedar from his body enveloped her, dense and suffocating, sending a wave of danger rippling through her.Gavin looked down at her, his voice low and steady as he asked, “Are you avoiding me?”Though phrased as a question, his tone left no room for doubt he was certain she was. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Jolie forced a stiff smile. “Mr. Cooper, you must be joking. Why would I-“Gavin’s hand moved lazily along her waist, his tone measured and deliberate. “You are avoiding me, Miss Quin. Do you really think you can hide from me?”Jolie’s composed expression finallycracked. She pushed his hand awayand said coldly, “If you’ve already figured it out, why bother asking? We’re not close enough for you to act this way whenever and wherever you please, are we?”