The Monster at My Feet novel Chapter 25

The car was dead silent. Quentin drove flawlessly.

A cup of coffee rested in the holder on Caspian's left side, and the liquid barely rippled when the car took a turn.

It was a completely different league compared to the Lawson family driver.

Basking in the luxury service, Sylvie actually wanted to make small talk.

Despite his terrifying reputation and the aggressively unapproachable aura rolling off him, he was the first person she had met since coming back who didn't completely disgust her.

But she was a polite girl. If he was clearly uncomfortable, she wasn't going to be obnoxious and force a conversation.

Just as she decided to stay quiet, the man took a sharp intake of breath and spoke in a low voice.

"You're welcome."

His voice was slightly raspy, laced with an almost imperceptible tremor, yet it sounded incredibly gentle.

The car swerved the slightest fraction of an inch at his words.

It took Sylvie a full second to realize he was responding to the "thank you" she had given him three minutes ago.

Wow.

His reaction time was seriously delayed.

She mentally slapped a 'Slow Processor Outside Work Hours' label on him. It was honestly kind of endearing.

It also gave her the green light to keep talking.

When Sylvie smiled, faint dimples framed her cheeks, and her eyes curved into sweet crescents.

She turned that exact smile on Caspian.

"Do you live in this neighborhood too, Mr. Graves? What a coincidence."

Caspian's fingers curled inward. Hidden by his suit cuff, his nails dug ruthlessly into his own palm.

He was using every ounce of his willpower to control his facial expressions, carefully measuring every single syllable before he spoke—

Not that there were many to measure.

"Yes. A coincidence," he managed.

The urge to flee into the shadows was violently warring with the desperate craving to pull her closer.

His senses were completely overwhelmed by her scent.

"Are you heading to Griffin Academy too?" the girl asked softly.

His response was agonizingly slow again, like he had to run every word through a filter.

"Yes. Corporate matters."

Sylvie's eyes went wide. She hadn't actually expected him to agree.

He was basically a saint!

"Mr. Graves!" she beamed, genuine admiration shining in her eyes.

"You are so amazing! Thank you so much for helping me!"

Caspian's Adam's apple bobbed. His breath caught in his throat.

Her praise didn't feel like a compliment.

It felt like a blinding mockery of how sick and twisted he truly was.

He physically couldn't force himself to accept her gratitude.

She was sitting on the other side of the armrest, maintaining a polite distance.

But every single word she said felt like branding iron searing into his exposed skin.

Mercifully, she looked away, leaning forward to address the driver.

"Mr. Wade, would it be possible to get your number so we can coordinate?"

She knew her place. There was no way a billionaire like Caspian Graves was going to personally text her about a campus job.