Velvet Engine II – The Smile Switch（Novel）

Lina tilted her glass of wine ever so slightly. In Alex’s eyes, she saw the flicker of a small flame.There was no longer any doubt—he had followed her here.And yet, strangely, she felt no anger.

"Hey, Alex," Lina said with a soft smile."What is it about me that you find so fascinating?"

Alex shrugged."To be honest—I haven’t figured you out nearly as much as you think. Half the intel I got was bogus."

Lina narrowed her eyes.A surprising confession for someone in his line of work. But somehow, it suited him.Too straightforward, and a little bit clumsy.

"Such as?" she asked.

"I was told you were a 'cold-blooded woman.'But tonight, I heard what you said to the waiter—'Thank you.'No one who says it in that gentle voice could be called cold."

Lina burst out laughing before she could stop herself.Usually, she was better at holding back—faster than a supercar engine at stifling a laugh—but not this time.

"Hah... So tell me, what exactly were you planning to do once you got close to me?"

Alex played with his napkin, answering with an awkward smile."…I was hoping we could share some pasta."

Lina took a sip of her wine, soft and smooth.And in that instant, something within her clicked into place.A realization: she didn’t need to fight this man.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, she said,"Then maybe you can stay for dessert, too."

Alex nodded, his smile lopsided.Between them, the air was gentle, yet charged with subtle tension. Like two drivers, hands on their own wheels, beginning to cruise down the same road.

Outside, the night wind caressed the city quietly.The pursuer and the pursued—That line between them had already begun to blur.