MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

Savannah stretched out to shake hands with Professor Bowden. 

"Sorry, Professor Bowden," she took a deep breath and said, "but I've decided to withdraw from the competition."

Her words astonished all.

What did she mean? She just won the first prize. Why did she suddenly give up the upcoming glory? 

Elliott came round first, frowning, "why?" What happened?"

"Sorry I have my own reasons. I'm sorry that I failed to live up to your expectations. Anyway, I've decided to quit." Savannah made a deep curtsey. Hanging her head, she turned and ran out of the hall.

On the road, she stopped a taxi and asked the driver to drive around the city before going back to her apartment.

When she went upstairs and opened the door, she saw Kevin sitting on the sofa.

Seeing her back, Kevin stood up and looked at her with a complicated expression.

He must have known what she did in the competition today.

Savannah felt a little guilty. Kevin accompanied her back to LA to participate in the contest, hoping that she could enjoy the progress and gain something. However, just when she got the award, she chose to withdraw from the competition.

"Why?" Kevin asked with a sigh.

Savannah kept nothing from Kevin. After a short pause, she told him that Dylan had helped her in the second round.

"The jury of the competition now all know that I have something to do with Dylan Sterling. This competition lost its meaning for me. If I won the prize, it would be unfair to others, and I would feel uncomfortable myself. It would be like cheating." 

What she wanted was to win the prize through her own ability, instead of relying on Dylan's power and connections.

In fact, she had decided to quit just after the conversation with Charlotte.

However, she still wanted to finish what she started.

"Do you think Dylan bought the jury to make you win?" Kevin knitted his handsome brows slightly.

"Even if he didn't give that order, the jury knows about my relationship with him. That's not what I want." Savannah said. 

"Savannah, you didn't win the prize because of him. I know you're capable enough to win. Winning the first prize can mean becoming much more famous in the fashion industry. It's deeply regrettable to give up the prize. Let me make a phone call to the organizer and explain to them that you're just too happy…"

"No, Kevin," Savannah interrupted him, "I've decided. More importantly, I don't want to accept any favors from him. To withdraw from the contest, I can let him know that I really don't want to have anything with him."

"Well, now that you've made up your mind, I'll just back you up. In fact, the competition's nothing. Whether or not you get a prize, you are always the best in my mind." Kevin touched her head and said.

Savannah smiled and nodded.

***

Dylan's face changed when he heard about Savannah's withdrawal from the competition.

After flying all the way home from Italy to participate in the competition, after three grueling rounds, she gave up the prize just when she won the first?

How could it be possible! There must be a reason.

"Why? Did anything happen? Anyone bullied her or forced her out?" He asked coldly.

"No, Miss Schultz asked to quit herself..." Garwood replied in a cold sweat.

"How did she quit for no reason?"

Garwood hesitated for a long time before he finally whispered, "I guess Miss Schultz knew that you helped her..."

Dylan's face turned pale with rage.

So, the little woman was telling him that she'd rather withdraw from the competition than accept his kindness.

She regarded him as a stranger, and he knew it. But he never thought it would come to this. She didn't want to have anything to do with him.

* * *

In the evening, Savannah sent Kevin downstairs after dinner.

She could tell that Kevin didn't want to leave. He was still waiting for her answer, and he was eager to be her man rather than her brother. But he was so gentle and apprehensive that he never pushed her.

However, she couldn't make up her mind to accept his affection. 

Perhaps it was because she had just known that she had a marriage with another man three years ago, or because of Kaiden, her own son, who reacted violently when she asked for a divorce.

So, she could only pretend not to see Kevin's evident intention.

Savannah watched Kevin drive away under the streetlamp at the gate of the residential district. 

She turned around and was about to go back when a familiar black car under the plane tree not far away caught her sight. She paused, looking over.

It was that man's car. 

Her heart was pounding against her chest. Didn't he say he would never appear in front of her again?

He did keep a distance from her the last time she saw him in Sterling's house. Why was he here today? 

The car door opened, and Dylan got off. He came up to her and stopped in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.

"Why did you quit?" Dylan stared at her blankly.

"You came here for this?"

"Answer me."

"You should know why." Savannah tried to quiet herself down.

"Because I spoke for you in front of Elliott and asked them not to disqualify you?" He controlled his anger and asked.

"Yes. Thank you for your help. But I didn't want to win a prize because of the relationship with you, so I quit." Savannah gazed ahead and avoided his eyes. 

"I didn't ask the judges to give you special care. You have won the prize on your own capability."

"No. If it were not for you, I would have been disqualified in the second round and wouldn't have won the final." Savannah insisted.

"You refuse to accept the slightest help from me?" He gritted his teeth.

Savannah was silent for two seconds before she opened her mouth again. 

"Yes," she said, "I have nothing to do with you except that I'm working in your company. And I won't be your staff soon. I don't think I'm qualified to accept your help."

She was going to keep her promise and go back to Italy with Kevin. She had just discussed it with Kevin tonight. When his work in JK was settled, they would book the air ticket in these two days.

As for the divorce, just wait until Kaiden was old enough to accept it.