Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Chapter 383: Showtime!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Time passed by in a flash and it was already the day of the Barker Group’s annual dinner.

The Barker Group had generously contracted the most luxurious five-star hotel in Capital City as a venue to hold the banquet and entertain a few distinguished guests.

Ronald picked Samantha up at two o’clock in the afternoon and was driven over to a beauty salon.

She was like a marionette being surrounded by makeup artists, hair stylists, fashion stylists, and the like. It took her a full five hours for her makeup and hairstyling to be complete.

Samantha stood in front of the full-length mirror and looked at the beautiful, elegant woman in the mirror.

She used to be a little more youthful in the past, but after giving birth to Matthew, her temperament had become much calmer and there was a warmth that radiated from her bones.

Samantha was a little narcissistic and she had to admit that she was somewhat captivated by herself at that moment.

Becoming a mother was almost like becoming a new person.

The curtain was lifted all of a sudden and the sound of footsteps came closer.

When Samantha looked through the mirror, she saw the slender and tall figure of the man behind him. His black suit made his temperament even colder and sterner, while his handsome face was as cold as ever and carried hints of evil.

Before she found out that Timothy suffered from multiple personalities, she just felt that he had changed into a stranger.

At that moment, she could clearly sense that the man in front of her was not the Timothy she once loved deeply.

His main personality was full of warmth within, but his second personality possessed a coldness that stemmed from the bottom of his heart.

Samantha turned around and glanced up at Timothy.

He was wearing the men’s couple outfit, the chest of which was embroidered with chic red roses and matched with her skirt that was similarly embroidered with vivid red roses.

Red roses signified a fiery love.

Timothy lowered his eyes and looked at her in a calm, almost icy manner.

Samantha could not help but laugh.

As much as she tried to play pretend with Timothy’s second personality, it was difficult for them to pretend that they were in love.

She genuinely wondered if the second personality had any ability to love someone.

It seemed as though she never saw him looking at Harmony with deep affection…

Samantha was still in a trance when the man said abruptly, “Know your place tonight, Samantha. If you screw up, neither you nor your precious son will live to see the sun tomorrow!”

His tone was indifferent, but it immediately snapped Samantha’s consciousness back. She even felt a chill down her spine after hearing it.

After all, he never joked around with his words and was so ruthless that he did as he said he would.

Samantha smiled. “I am a person who honors agreements. Since you’ve agreed to my terms, I will fulfill my role as Mrs. Barker.”

As soon as Samantha said that, she walked forward and raised her hand to hook his arm.

Timothy looked as though he did not expect her to do that. He was stunned for a moment and frowned soon after.

He hated touching people, especially when the person touching him was the woman he hated! Moreover, her approach…made him feel…

Timothy’s expression sank.

Samantha glanced askance at him. She knew what he was thinking, but instead of letting go, she hugged him a little tighter and asked, “Aren’t we supposed to pretend to be a loving couple?”

“Or, could it be that you can’t afford to…play pretend, Mr. Barker?”

She spoke the last few words in a slightly provocative tone.

Timothy glared at her coldly and scoffed. He turned the tables on her and wrapped his long arms around her slender waist, almost pressing her entire body against him.

Both their bodies instantly became very close.

Timothy gazed down at her and the heat from his breathing was caressing her face. A murderous look had already appeared in his eyes as he said, “Don’t even think about provoking me, Samantha. You won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

Ronald had been standing outside and heard the conversation taking an ominous turn. He coughed a few times and raised his voice to remind them. “Mr. Barker, Mrs. Barker, it’s almost time. We have to go!”

Timothy pushed Samantha away mercilessly and adjusted his shirt placket. He then lifted his feet and strode out of the dressing room.

Since Samantha was wearing high heels, his push sent her staggering a few steps back before finally being able to stand firm.

She had nearly lost her patience and wanted to kick Timothy’s back.

That scumbag had no sense of mannerism at all!

Then again, she had done what she did on purpose because she knew too little about his second personality. She needed to try a little bit of this and that to figure out what kind of character he was.

Getting a better understanding would allow her to tailor the best method to deal with him.

Based on what she saw earlier, Timothy’s second personality was a control freak who did not allow anyone to provoke him!

Furthermore, he did not like to have any physical contact with people.

However, she still had to put a question mark on the latter conclusion because she could not be sure whether he did not like physical contact in general or was simply averse to it when it was her…

…

When the car arrived at the hotel, Ronald opened the door for Timothy and Samantha to get out of the car.

Timothy hugged Samantha’s slender waist and led her into the venue inside the hotel.

They became the focus of attention as soon as they appeared and all eyes were on them.

It was a feast for the eyes to see a handsome man and a beautiful woman, both of whom were talented and charismatic individuals.

Everyone recognized at a glance that the couple’s outfit they were wearing was the most eye-catching set that year.

It was another new masterpiece by the famous designer known only as G, a present that G designed for a loved one whose love was most intense.

That they wore a matching dress and stood together was already a big enough display of affection.

Michael and his wife Lilian had also arrived at the venue.?Timothy and Samantha went to greet and shake hands with them.

Michael looked at Samantha—the legendary Mrs. Barker—and praised her generously, “You’re a beauty of the highest order, Mrs. Barker.”

He then teased Timothy, “I’m not surprised that Mr. Barker would rather terminate his partnership with me three years ago to protect his wife.”

Lilian was obviously very interested in Timothy and Samantha’s love story. She said, “Mrs. Barker, my husband told me a lot about you and Mr. Barker. It’s really romantic that he always rushes back to see you as soon as possible.”

Samantha was stunned.

She had no idea something like that happened…

As it turned out, the reason Timothy was always able to show up in time whenever she encountered troubles before was because he turned down many important projects.

That was the love shown to her by his main personality, but she was unaware of it.

If she had known that was the case, she might have been a little braver three years ago and things would not have ended like that…

Her eyes were slightly red and she unconsciously looked at Timothy with a hint of tenderness.

Timothy looked at her eyes and was just as stunned, for it felt like his heart had been touched.

In the eyes of bystanders, the two of them were looking at each other affectionately when they made eye contact like that. The affection between them was so strong that everyone could not help but smile tenderly at them.

Harmony, who was standing on the other side, squeezed the wine glass with her fingers and almost caused it to break.

Her face was filled with jealousy and her eyes were brimming with intense hatred. She would have wanted to step forward, separate the two, and send Samantha down into hell.

The person standing beside Timothy should have been her!

She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before suppressing her anger.

Her plans were all in place and she could let Samantha feel smug for a moment. Time would soon tell who would eventually be the one to hold their head high. Samantha was bound to be destroyed after falling from grace.

She swirled the wine inside her glass and sipped it with a smile.

A thrilling show…was about to begin!