Even if it really was all a coincidence, Serena just couldn't understand-what was so special about Vega that he would go out of his way to invite her to a hot spring resort?
Instinctively, she glanced at the man leaning against the doorframe.
The first thing she saw was his firm, sculpted abs. Serena quickly turned her face away. "Could you... could you put on a shirt?"
Christan shrugged nonchalantly. "Whether I wear one or not is my choice."
What the heck?! Was he blatantly, righteously saying that he just wasn't going to wear one?!
Serena actually laughed in disbelief. "Oh my god, turns out the top idol of Vernon's entertainment industry, the youngest grand slam Best Actor in history, has a fetish for not wearing clothes! I wonder how your fans would feel if they found out their idol is a nudist freak?"
"Are you threatening me?" Christan's gaze darkened, his voice turning cold.
"Which part of what I said sounded like a threat to you?"
"Uh..."
Actually, none of it was explicitly a threat.
But then why did it sound like every word carried that kind of tone?
"So? Are you going to put on a shirt or not?"
Christan curved his lips into a faint smile. "And what if I don't?"
Serena clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, sorely tempted to curse him out.
But this was Xavier's hotel, and the man in question was a hugely popular celebrity. If things got out of hand, she might end up causing trouble for Xavier.
Then, by chance, her eyes landed on a security camera positioned in the hallway's corner above.
She smiled slightly, raised her hand, and pointed in that direction. "Mr. Christan Ryder, look over there! That camera? It's pointed right at your door."
Christan followed the direction she was pointing, craning his neck to look.
The next moment, he discreetly retreated a little deeper into the room, his face darkening. "Wait a moment. I'll be right out."
With that, he closed the door and went inside to get dressed.
Seeing the door shut, Serena smiled smugly.
Then she turned and quickly walked over to Vega. "Vega, we still don't know what Christan's real intentions are. Whatever it is, don't trust him too easily!"
But Vega defensively spoke up for him. "Serena, you're way too suspicious! He's a big celebrity, and I'm just an ordinary person. What could he possibly want from me?"
"That's just it!" Serena said seriously. "Some people are just born twisted! They look all glamorous and dignified on the outside, but who knows what kind of shady things they're hiding? You're a girl-you must stay vigilant!"
"Oh, come on!" Vega waved it off. "I love Christan! If he really did have any intentions toward me, I'd be thrilled!"
Her eyes sparkled with admiration and longing. "I used to just like his looks. But after meeting him in person, I realized-he's not just handsome, he's also so gentle and gentlemanly."
"Did you know?" She grabbed Serena's hand, excitement bubbling in her voice. "This morning, when we arrived at the hotel, I almost fell getting out of the car. He caught me right away! And as soon as I steadied myself, he let go. He didn't take advantage of me like those sleazy men who are always trying something. He did it purely to help!"
"You're completely blinded by his face!" Serena clearly didn't buy it. "To me, that Christan is temperamental and unpredictable-not a good guy at all!"
"Also, why would he strike up a conversation with you?!" She frowned and muttered to herself, "Maybe he really is some kind of weirdo..."
Before she could finish, the door behind them suddenly opened.
Christan stood there, face dark, his deep gaze locked onto Serena. "Miss Knowles, when you said 'weirdo'-were you referring to me?"
Serena spun around in shock, forced a sheepish smile, and didn't answer.
"I simply found that I shared common interests and tastes with Miss Vega. That's why I invited her out-to get to know each other better."
Serena lowered her head and mumbled, "I didn't ask you... You explaining it so eagerly just makes it more suspicious..."
"What did you say? Speak up!" As he spoke, he bent forward, bringing his face close to hers.
Serena's breath brushed against his ear, causing an unfamiliar wave of heat to wash over Christan.
He quickly pulled back a couple steps and, composing himself, said calmly, "I already told you-I have no improper intentions toward Miss Vega. I hope Miss Knowles won't judge a gentleman by the thoughts of a villain."
"You're the villain!"
"Heh! Who the real villain is-well, I think we both know!" Christan sneered. "Ever heard that old saying? 'What's in your heart is reflected in your eyes!' Only someone with a filthy mind would assume others are perverts!"
"What did you just say?!" Serena snapped. "Grandpa Bryan was a man of honor! How'd he end up with such a petty grandson like you?!"
Christan' eyes narrowed sharply, his surprise barely hidden.
He stared at Serena and asked in a low voice, "Grandpa Bryan? Judging by how you said that... You know my grandfather?"
Serena suddenly realized what she'd said and wanted to bite her own tongue in regret!
Why the hell did she bring up Grandpa Bryan?!
Back at Christan's villa, during dinner, she'd gone to great lengths to darken her face just so Christan wouldn't recognize her.
She'd done it precisely because she feared his petty personality would accuse her of scheming to get close to his grandfather for personal gain.
"I... I didn't say anything!"
Right now, the only thing she could do was deny, deny, deny!
Otherwise, with how small-minded Christan was, after what she just said about him being a pervert-he'd roast her alive!
"I clearly heard you say 'Grandpa Bryan'! In all of Vernon, the only one called that is my grandfather!"
He stepped forward threateningly. "Speak! How exactly do you know my grandfather?!"
***