Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted

Nicole was annoyed. “What does a little brat like you know about aesthetics? If I’m not good-looking, then who is?”
Leighton replied, “Stella.”
Nicole was stumped. Well... she couldn’t really compete with that. Stella was indeed stunning. Nicole had seen many beautiful
women, and Stella could easily be in the top three. She was the type who looked great on camera but even better in person.
Many beauties looked good on screen but appeared too thin in reality, losing some of their charm. Stella, with her soft and
elegant
features, was a pleasure to look at. Nicole had to admit defeat, but seeing Leighton’s “aren’t you convinced?” expression made
her itch with irritation.
“No matter how beautiful your cousin is, I’m your girlfriend. If someone asks you who’s good-looking, you should say I am.”
Leighton glanced at her. “I’m just dating, not blind.”
“That response makes it obvious you’ve never been in love. Haven’t you heard of the saying ‘love makes everything beautiful’?”
Leighton paused, seemingly considering her words. He stared at Nicole for a while, and under her expectant gaze, he slowly
said, “Still ugly.”
Nicole’s expression froze, and she lifted her foot to stomp on him again. This time, Leighton was quick to dodge, but she
grabbed his collar instead.
She had a strong grip, tightening the collar and making it hard for Leighton to breathe. Just as he was about to push her away,
Nicole gently brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. Her movements were slow, barely touching him, and a faint
fragrance-perhaps from essential oils or shampoo-wafted over.
Leighton felt a strange sensation spread from his tailbone to his scalp, his body hairs standing on end. He involuntarily tilted his
head back, suddenly nervous, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.

Nicole was very close. She wasn’t wearing makeup, her skin so fine that no pores were visible. Her eyebrows were untrimmed,
giving her a natural and spirited look. Her amber eyes reflected his image. Leighton, who should have been angry, found himself
thinking: Her eyes were actually amber.
“Do I look good?” Nicole’s soft voice reached his ears. Leighton nodded instinctively.
Nicole smiled, let go, and patted his cheek. “Good boy.”
Leighton snapped out of it, feeling a bit frustrated. He clenched his fist and rubbed his neck, unusually silent.
The car was quiet for a while. Nicole wondered if she had gone too far earlier, so she broke the silence. “Does it hurt? I didn’t use
that much force.”
Leighton turned his head away, ignoring her.
Nicole, like comforting a child, ruffled his hair. ‘ Alright, alright, I apologize.
Forgive me, okay?”
Leighton swatted her hand away, gritting his teeth. “Talk without touching!”
Nicole was momentarily stunned then laughed softly, “I don’Emean to; 1 ¡yst, gan’t help it when I see you.”
Leighton looked at her.
Nicole continued, “You remind me of the German Shepherd had as an the German Shepherd I had ag an child, especjally when
you’re angry.
Whenever I petted its head, it would stop being mad at me.”

Leighton suddenly wanted to sew her mouth shut.
Nicole added, “But when it died, I didn’t even get to see it one last time, just its skin.”
Leighton no longer wanted to sew her mouth shut.
He changed the subject. “Who was that on the phone with you in the car earlier?”
Nicole pursed her lips. “He’s like my brother, but we’re not related bym blood. His dad and my mom formed alnew family. We
also have a younger sister about the same age as Noah.”