Elaine recalled the way he commanded the room during his presentations, impeccably dressed, radiating authority with every gesture. He embodied elite sophistication, yet there was an underlying aura of aloofness that set him apart.

Men like him were dangerously captivating. Each time he took the stage, the audience overflowed; even those standing in the aisles were eager to absorb his words.

Who would have imagined that Reign would be… so quick in bed?

But Lydia, having experienced the reality of Reign firsthand—not just once—had openly acknowledged it. If she said he was “quick,” then it had to be true.

Elaine felt a mix of emotions. So, the universe really was fair. Since it blessed Reign with incredible looks, a brilliant mind, and a family background most couldn’t dream of, it had to take something back in return.

She suddenly understood why that first love overseas had turned Reign down.

Elaine looked at Lydia with a sympathetic gaze, giving her a pat on the shoulder. "Well, at least you and Prof. Hawke weren’t official. Just think of it as a clean slate—find yourself a better man.”

Lydia found Elaine’s words odd, but before she could question it, Elaine got up, brushing off her dress. “Stay put. I’ll go grab us some more food.”

Lydia glanced at the empty plates and nodded, deciding to message her parents’ caretaker while she waited, asking how they were. Only when she got a reply saying they’d gone to bed did she feel at ease. As she put her phone away, she sensed someone standing nearby. Thinking it was Elaine, she quipped with a laugh, “Back already? And don’t just bring sweets, or you’ll end up gaining weight. Go grab some lobster or crab. Might as well make the most of it…”

Her words trailed off as she looked up and saw Jayden instead. Her face fell instantly. “Jayden?”

Jayden was tall and good-looking—qualities that had attracted her once. But around Lydia, he always seemed to shrink, hunching slightly as he nodded nervously. “Lydia, I… I’m sorry for earlier. I completely misunderstood you. I’ve already spoken to Linnie. Please, don’t be mad, okay?”

Lydia had no interest in dredging up old feelings. Those years with him? She’d chalk them up to a lapse in judgment. She waved him off, hoping he’d just leave.

Seeing her calm reaction, Jayden took it as a good sign, even sitting beside her, his gaze drifting to her arm with a pained look. “Did I hurt you? I… I didn’t mean to. It must be sore, right?”

Lydia’s patience snapped. “If you’re so curious, why don’t you feel it yourself?”

She looked stunning even when annoyed, a fierce beauty in her defiance. Jayden watched her, entranced. Noticing she was sitting on the steps, he quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. “It’s cold down there. Don’t sit too long, or you’ll be complaining about cramps when your period starts.”

Lydia shot him a single, blunt response: “Can you stop pestering me?”

Jayden assumed she was just angry, brushing it off with a smile. This was how it always went with her: she’d lash out, and then later, soften and draw him back in, making him crave her more. With a small laugh, he stood. “I’ll go find something for you to sit on.”

He took a few steps, then paused. “Want some lobster or crab? I’ll get you a plate.”

At that, Lydia couldn’t help but think Elaine was right—Jayden’s overly cautious personality was a poor match for her. She decided that once Elaine returned, she’d find a new spot to avoid any further pestering.

Just then, she heard approaching footsteps again. Without looking back, she felt a hand grab her waistband, lifting her like a kitten. “Ass—Reign?” She barely stopped herself from swearing aloud.

“Come here.”

He stood just a step away, his gaze cold and distant as he turned to walk off.

Lydia sensed he was in a foul mood and wasn’t eager to follow. But if this was her one chance, she wasn’t about to waste it. She swallowed her hesitation and trailed after him.

They didn’t go far, just around a corner to a secluded spot by the hedges, boxed in on two sides by walls. Reign’s tall figure blocked the only exit, sealing her in.

The phrase “trapped like a fish in a barrel” flashed through her mind.

He hadn’t said a word since she’d come over, just stared at her coolly. His expression darkened further when he noticed Jayden’s jacket draped over her shoulders.

Lydia felt almost suffocated by the weight of his gaze. For someone who wasn’t exactly short herself, she felt helplessly small around Reign. Taking a breath, she flashed a charming smile, laced with just the right hint of sweetness. “Prof. Hawke,” she said gently, “I didn’t mean to keep you waiting. I really did get held up with family issues.”

She held up her phone as proof. “See? I even tried reaching you, but you blocked me.”

She stepped closer, looking pitiful as she tried to win him over.

Reign simply looked down at her, silent and unmoved.

Gaining confidence, Lydia leaned in even closer, stretching her arm around his neck, her voice turning soft and honeyed as she teased, “Prof. Hawke, you’re so heartless.”

Reign’s gaze grew darker, his voice low and taunting. “Wearing another man’s jacket while you’re here trying to seduce me? Impressive.”

With a casual smile, Lydia shrugged off Jayden’s jacket and tossed it aside, moving closer. Her tone dripped with temptation. “I only want to wear your jacket, Prof. Hawke.”

Reign thought to himself that this woman truly had no shame. He had to admit, though, she knew how to handle men.

Jayden might be well-regarded in their social circles, but in front of Lydia, he practically grovelled, even keeping track of her cycle—utterly pathetic. “Looking to get back with your ex?”

Reign sneered, his tone full of disdain as he looked down at her. “Even Jayden couldn’t earn that kind of favor from the Pruetol family.”

“I know,” Lydia nodded obediently, her chin brushing against the man’s collarbone like a compliant little rabbit. “So, I just want to have a good time with Prof. Hawke.”

“How exactly do you mean ‘good’?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Lydia stood on her tiptoes, her lips teasingly grazing his chin as she enunciated clearly, “Bed… with You...”

He caught a faint whiff of something sugary on her—she smelled like pastries, sweet and almost cloying. With a frown, he pulled her a step away, his face less stormy now, though hardly warm. "Too bad," he muttered, "I was… too fast."

It took Lydia a second to realize—he’d overheard her conversation with Elaine. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly tried to explain. “No, no, I didn’t mean you’re, um, fast in bed! What I meant was, I was saying… I was…”

He kept his gaze steady on her, the intensity of his silence weighing down on her.

The more flustered she became, the harder it was to explain. There was no way she could outright tell Reign he was a heartless player who tossed her aside once he got what he wanted. So, summoning her courage, she looked him in the eye and blurted, “With Prof. Hawke, those two times, I… I felt it was… intense, like I was—losing myself…”

For a split second, Reign saw the faint blush that colored her ears, and an intrigued smile tugged at his lips.

He took a step closer, his gaze still cool but now tinged with something undeniably suggestive. "Like… this?"

Without waiting for an answer, he reached down, pulling her jacket open with one swift motion, his hand firm against her waist.