Scott Sutton chuckled teasingly, "Are you asking for compliments?"

Already feeling quite embarrassed, Evelyn Linton blushed even more, not knowing what to say.

"Since the rent is due soon, I figured I should get on good terms with the landlord, maybe save on rent later."

Hearing this, Evelyn took Scott’s words seriously for a moment, then replied, "You’ve got so many properties, do you really care about my little bit of rent?"

Scott stepped forward with a smile, his hands on either side of Evelyn’s arms, and asked with a grin, "Would you like to collect rent with me in the future?"

Evelyn looked up at him, then lowered her head and mumbled, "You still haven’t answered my question."

"Why do I like you?"

Evelyn nodded, looking at Scott with curiosity and anticipation.

"Hmm..." Scott pondered and said, "Don’t you know how adorable you are?"

Evelyn suddenly froze, her face turning crimson, yet she seemed a bit disappointed and said, "...Is that the only reason?"

Scott teased her, "Or should it be because you’re bad-tempered and stingy?"

Evelyn frowned, the words "not happy" clearly written on her face.

Scott raised his hand, gently ruffling her hair, and said with a gentle smile, "Why I like you is my business. You just need to know that I do."

Evelyn tilted her head to avoid Scott’s hand, whispering, "But you’re handsome and rich, you could be with much better girls. I don’t think you really like me."

Scott subtly moved Evelyn closer to him, looked down at her and said, "By your logic, out of all the choices, I picked you. Doesn’t that prove you’re better than the rest?"

Evelyn opened her mouth as if to speak, but hesitated, seemingly with some concerns.

Scott: "You already said I’m handsome and rich, so it seems like you’re quite satisfied with me. As for whether I truly like you, whatever I say now, you’ll have your doubts. So why not let time prove it?"

Evelyn found some sense in Scott’s words, but still felt things were moving a bit too fast. Yet, she couldn’t find the words to say no.

As she hesitated in silence, Scott’s gaze fell on her cherry-pink lips.

Slowly pushing her body against the wall, he leaned in cautiously.

Evelyn’s hand had a slight resistance, but not too much of a struggle.

Still a bit dazed, her cheeks were hot as Scott’s breath touched her face, making it feel as if burning.

With half-hearted reluctance, she slowly closed her eyes.

Moist, warm kisses, increasingly rapid breaths, body temperature rising through the thin fabric...

Scott straightened up, looking down at a flushed, dazed Evelyn in his arms, his voice low and hoarse: "Does this mean you agree?"

Embarrassed, Evelyn lowered her head, pushing against Scott’s chest discontentedly, muttering softly, "...You know the answer already."

Scott tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze, his tone a bit stubborn, "I want to hear your clear response."

Already shy and wanting to disappear, under Scott’s intense gaze, Evelyn inexplicably said, "...I agree."

"Agree to what?"

"...To go out with you."

Scott smiled with satisfaction, causing Evelyn to push him away in shy annoyance.

Watching Evelyn’s figure as she ran upstairs, Scott smiled indulgently, "Sleep a bit more. I’ll take you home for lunch at noon."