Chapter 189 Punishment or Reward
Alistair was tied up again.
And yes, it was the same ridiculous pink rope.
This time, though, Caroline had upped the intimidation factor. To make him confess quickly, she had somehow managed to get her hands on a whip.
Also pink.
She paced slowly in front of him, radiating all the haughty, regal energy of a dominatrix queen. With a quick flick of her wrist, the whip cracked through the air with a sharp snap.
“Darling,” she said coolly, “you better start talking. Aside from secretly asking Aaron to investigate behind my back, what else have you been hiding from me?”
Alistair stared at the pink whip in a daze.-
Not satisfied with his silence, Caroline leaned in like a rogue in an old film, using two fingers to lift his chin until their eyes met.
“I’m talking to you,” she said, her voice teasing but firm. “Lost your voice? If you’re going to pretend I don’t exist, thn don’t expect me to set you free anytime soon.”
That snapped him out of it. He smiled up at her, all charm and
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zero shame.
He’d just been wondering–if she was already pulling out whips, were the pink handcuffs next?
Honestly… he wouldn’t mind.
Caroline tried to keep a straight face. “No smiling. Answer the question.”
God, he looked adorable when he grinned like that. For a second, she nearly lost it. She almost threw the whip aside just to jump into his arms and kiss him senseless.
He’s getting sneaky! He’s using cuteness as a weapon!
She clenched her jaw and forced her face back into a stern mask.
Too bad for her, it had zero effect on Alistair. If anything, he found it even more endearing.
As she held his chin, he tilted his head toward her fingers with a subtle pout.
The message couldn’t have been more obvious.
Caroline froze. “No, stop this.”
Don’t give in, Caroline! Do not give in! Stay focused!
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Chapter 189 Punishment or Reward
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She tried to act unfazed, but her eyes kept drifting to his lips- healthy, pink, soft–and just close enough to kiss.
No wonder the honey trap never went out of style. It worked.
And she, the woman who prided herself on self–control, was about to be undone by one smile.
Alistair, sensing her hesitation, closed his eyes and leaned into the moment, the anticipation practically radiating off him.
That bastard.
Caroline caved. She pressed the lightest kiss to his lips–a quick, fluttering touch–then immediately straightened up, forced her smile back down, and cracked the whip again for good measure. The sharp crack tore through the air like a gunshot.
Alistair jolted hard.
Caroline dropped the whip on reflex and pulled him into a hug, guilt washing over her.
“There, there,” she said, patting his back like she’d just frightened a puppy. “Don’t be scared…”
But Alistair buried his face in her neck and started sha king even harder.
She glanced down and realized he was laughing. “You little-”
Chapter 189 Punishment or Reward
He grinned mid–laugh. “Okay, okay, I admit it!”
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She stared at him, half–laughing herself, half in disbelief. “Wait… so there really is something?”
He sobered a little, eyes softening. “Eloise’s sixth birthday is coming up soon, isn’t it?”
Caroline nodded. “In about three months.”
Her birthday was at the end of August.
Still lying flat against the couch, Alistair relaxed into the cushions. “I’ve been secretly preparing a birthday gift for her.”
“That’s it?” Caroline blinked. “That’s what you’ve been hiding?”
“Yep.”
“A surprise for Eloise?”
“Mm–hmm.”
She frowned, thinking.
Before she could say anything, Alistair rushed to add, “I promise, next time I’ll tell you first. No more secrets.”
“I wasn’t mad,” she murmured, settling against his chest. “I was
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just thinking… I’m kind of amazing.”
“What?”
This was new. Alistair raised an eyebrow, amused by her sudden self–praise.
“Oh?” he said, using the tone he usually saved for teasing children. “And what makes you so amazing?”
“I found Eloise the best dad in the world. That’s got to count for something.”
She rested her chin on his chest, her eyes sparkling.
And just like that, Alistair got it. All that praise? It had been for him.
His gaze turned soft, warm.
He wanted to stroke her cheek but remembered his hands were still tied behind his back.
“Honey…”
Caroline’s brain short–circuited at that word. Her cheeks flushed instantly.
Swear to God, Alistair had zero ulterior motives. But Caroline’s reaction–her sudden silence, the color rushing to her face-
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brought back vivid memories of the last time he’d been tied up.
His throat tightened. His breath hitched.
Okay. That’s dangerous.
His gaze shifted, darker now, and sticky with unspoken heat.
Caroline blinked, trying to keep her composure.
Why does it always end up like this?
Every time she tried to “punish” him, the situation veered completely off–track.
This wasn’t punishment anymore. It was a reward. A full–on incentive package.
Two hours later, Alistair lay sprawled in bed, thoroughly satisfied, lazily twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers.
“Want to know what I got Eloise?” he asked.
Caroline nestled deeper into his chest. “Kind of… but not really. It’s close enough now. I’ll wait and see. Besides, I know you were trying to surprise both of us.‘
He smiled faintly, “Fair enough.” After a beat, he asked, “Any word from Leo? He should know the truth by now.”
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It had been a week since Caroline had sent him the address.
She mumbled sleepily, “Not sure.”
Alistair pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Okay.”
She was tired. Let her rest.
He closed his eyes.
The room fell into a heavy, peaceful quiet.
Then Caroline suddenly muttered, “Paige is such a damn snake.”
Alistair opened his eyes and gently patted her shoulder.
Silence returned.
He stared at the ceiling.
Paige was no fool. She left nothing behind–not a footprint, not a shadow. Even if the police started with the driver’s cousin, they’d only be able to trace it back to the Morgans but not to Paige.
Just like when she’d manipulated Giselle into launching that smear campaign online. All done through psychological suggestion. No direct evidence.
So what now? Just let her get away with it?
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Not a chance.
Caroline would dig something up eventually–of that, he had no doubt. But if there was a faster route, why not take it?
They’d been scrambling for days, reacting to hit after hit. Now it was time to go on the offensive.
Alistair wasn’t interested in playing petty games.
He wanted Paige out of Caroline’s life permanently.
He closed his eyes again. Anyone watching might think he had drifted off to sleep.
But inside his mind, a stream of memories began to unravel— Paige’s memories.
Everyone had secrets. Paige had more than most.
One of them made Alistair’s eyes snap open. He stared down at Caroline, sleeping quietly in his arms.
Twelve years ago, their lives had already crossed paths. They just didn’t know it yet.
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