Chapter 385

Janet’s face was flushed, her pulse drumming a frantic rhythm against her skin as Mason’s deep, magnetic voice filled the small space of the car. It was a voice that managed to be simultaneously gentle and lethal.

She felt the heat of his gaze and the subtle movement of his hands. "Did you drink?" he murmured, the question sounding more like a slow-burning invitation than an inquiry.

For a moment, Janet’s self-control felt like it was crumbling into ash. While she was a force to be reckoned with in the streets of Markovia, she was a blank sheet of paper when it came to the intricate dance of a relationship. She felt unanchored, her hands and lips guided entirely by him.

He caught her slender fingers, leading them to the buttons of his shirt. One by one, they gave way under his silent direction. But when the cold metallic touch of his belt buckle met her fingertips, the shock of it acted like a bucket of ice water.

Janet snapped back to her senses, her voice regaining its trademark frostiness. “What are you doing?”

The silence that followed was brief before Mason’s seductive whisper buzzed in her ear. “Babe... remove it for me.”

Janet stuttered, her bravado momentarily failing, but under the weight of his gaze, she boldly finished the task. Time seemed to stretch, measured only by the thrum of her heart. She turned her crimson face away, her body trembling despite her cold tone.

“Let’s go home,” she commanded. What is he thinking, doing this in a car? If a passerby saw us... I’d have to bury myself in a hole and never come out.

Mason let out a low, dark chuckle. His defined fingers made quick work of re-buttoning his shirt. Behind his gold-framed glasses, his phoenix eyes narrowed with the look of a predatory rascal in disguise.

Back at the Lowry Residence, Janet felt a surge of relief at having escaped Mason’s "clutches."

In the living room, Red Python and Black Python were huddled over a phone, their voices animated as they discussed the latest news.

“Look! Someone actually did it!” “Let me see... What the hell? A perfect score of 750!” “That means she must have aced the essay portion of the language exam too. That’s unheard of!” “I heard the student is from the same school as Miss Jackson!”

Noticing Janet stepping through the door, Red Python frantically elbowed Black Python. The two immediately fell silent, looking incredibly guilty. They didn't want to hurt Janet’s feelings—after all, a girl with her pride would likely be devastated to hear that a classmate had achieved such a legendary feat while her own results were a mystery.

“I’m sleepy. I’m going to bed,” Janet announced with a wide yawn, dragging herself toward the stairs without a second glance at the pair.

Mason watched her retreating figure, his lips curling into an affectionate, knowing smile.

Once inside her room, Janet’s lethargy vanished. She pulled out her luggage and began packing with efficient, practiced movements, tucked away several face masks among her clothes. She was leaving for Markovia tomorrow.

Her phone buzzed on the table. It was Lee.

“Are our people in position?” Janet asked, her voice now sharp and professional.

“Everything is going according to plan,” Lee reported. “I’ve directed the MX unit to wait in ambush at Leamore Lane. If Black Rain tries to intercept the shipment, they’re finished.”

The tension in Janet’s chest eased. “Very well.”

She hadn't forgotten the incident where Black Rain had the audacity to steal her books. If they made a move this time, she intended to settle the score for good.

Downstairs, Mason sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, his expression gloomy. Still simmering with a certain degree of sexual frustration, he looked at his two subordinates with an annoyed glare.

“What were you two whispering about?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Red Python and Black Python exchanged a nervous glance, looking toward the second floor to ensure Janet was out of earshot.

“Speak!” Mason snapped.

“The top student for the Sandfort College Entrance Exams was just revealed,” Red Python squeezed the words out, clutching his phone like a shield. “Someone got a perfect score of 750.”

He looked at Mason with genuine concern. He was certain that if Janet found out, she would feel utterly humiliated by the comparison.