Wendy stood off to the side, the smile on her face growing stiff.

She wasn’t willing to accept this. Just a moment ago, she had been so close.

Using the excuse of slipping, she had fallen straight into Leonard’s arms. When she tilted her head up to look at him, she had clearly felt his breath falter for a split second.

If Thomas hadn’t appeared out of nowhere, she would have kissed him.

And once that happened, Leonard would have been hers.

Lowering her gaze, she concealed the frustration in her eyes.

"Uncle Leonard, thank you for just now," she said again, softening her voice. "If it weren’t for you, I might have fallen."

Leonard glanced at her. "It’s nothing. Be more careful next time."

With that, he turned and walked toward the end of the corridor, showing no intention of continuing the conversation.

Thomas followed behind him.

Wendy remained where she was, the smile finally slipping from her face.

She bit her lip, then reluctantly followed.

The three of them entered the office one after another.

The room wasn’t large, but it had a sofa, a few chairs, and a dry floor. Compared to downstairs, it was clearly a better place to rest.

Leonard looked around and nodded. "This will do. I’ll go get Suzy and the others."

"I’ll go," Thomas said.

Leonard glanced at him, then nodded.

Just as Thomas was about to leave, Leonard stepped forward and called out to him.

He turned back, puzzled.

Lowering his voice, Leonard said, "About what you saw just now... well, don’t tell Suzy."

Thomas’ expression didn’t change. He gave a small nod. "Understood."

Leonard patted his shoulder. "Thanks. Go on."

Thomas headed downstairs at once.

When he saw that Suzy and Liam were still sitting where they had been, he relaxed slightly.

"Suzy," he called.

She turned, her eyes lighting up. "You’re back. How is it?"

"We found a place. Pack up—we’re heading upstairs."

Suzy quickly grabbed her backpack. "Okay, let’s go."

Before leaving, she glanced at Liam. "Do you... want to come up with us?"

He shook his head.

She figured Wendy would come for him soon enough, so she didn’t insist.

She and Thomas headed upstairs first.

The moment they stepped into the stairwell, he spoke. "Suzy, there’s something I need to tell you."

"Hmm?"

"I saw your uncle and Wendy just now. They were holding each other."

Suzy’s eyes widened in shock.

"...What did you say?" she asked, certain she had misheard.

He repeated it more clearly, "I saw Leonard and Wendy in each other’s arms. They were about to kiss."

Suzy felt her mind go blank, a loud buzz filling her ears.

Wait—she hadn’t misheard, right?

Leonard and Wendy... almost kissed?

They had only been upstairs for a few minutes... was he messing with her?

She turned to look at him, but his expression was completely serious.

He noticed her doubt and said again, "I’m serious."

Suzy came to an abrupt stop in her tracks.

Thomas stopped as well, and the two of them stood in the stairwell, staring at each other.

"...What exactly is going on?"

Suzy still couldn’t wrap her head around it. It was too strange.

Her uncle clearly knew she didn’t get along with Wendy—so how could he possibly get involved with her? What had gone wrong?

Besides, the two of them weren’t even close.

Could it be that, somewhere she hadn’t seen, something had already happened between them?

No... that didn’t make sense.

She had used a loyalty card on Leonard. He shouldn’t betray her.

So where exactly was the problem?

Her thoughts tangled into a mess.

Thomas took her hand. "Let’s go up first."

Suzy looked up and met his eyes. There was a quiet steadiness in his gaze, enough to calm her racing thoughts.

"...Okay. Let’s go up first."

She would ask her uncle directly when they saw him.

The two quickened their pace and reached the floor where Leonard and Wendy were.

The two of them were keeping a certain distance now, not close at all, each searching the area for supplies.

Hearing footsteps, they both looked up.

"Suzy, you’re here," Leonard said, stopping what he was doing and walking over.

"Suzy," Wendy echoed.

Not seeing Liam, Wendy frowned slightly. "Didn’t Liam come up with you?"

"He didn’t want to," Suzy replied.

Wendy suddenly smiled. "Is that so? I’ll go get him, then."

With that, she quickly headed back downstairs.

In no time, only Suzy, Leonard, and Thomas were left on the floor.

Suzy fixed her gaze on Leonard, studying him carefully, trying to catch even the slightest clue.

Leonard gestured toward them. "Come over here. I found a decent room. We can stay there tonight."

They followed him into the room he had mentioned.

The door closed.

Suzy got straight to the point. "Uncle, what’s going on between you and Wendy? You were about to kiss her."

Leonard’s body visibly stiffened.

From behind, his posture grew even more rigid.

"...Uncle?"

He turned around, his expression awkward, avoiding her eyes. Instead, he shot Thomas a glare.

Through gritted teeth, he said, "Thomas, didn’t we agree you’d keep that to yourself?"

Thomas shifted his gaze lightly. "Sorry."

He couldn’t keep things from Suzy.

Suzy put her hands on her hips, her eyes sharp. "Uncle, aren’t you going to explain? You know I don’t get along with her."

Don’t tell me he’s fallen for Wendy.

If that’s the case, she might as well disown this uncle.

Leonard cleared his throat. "This... was actually an accident."

He walked over quickly and gently pressed Suzy down onto the sofa. "Suzy, sit. I’ll explain properly."

As he passed Thomas, he deliberately stomped down on his foot in retaliation.

He missed—and nearly lost his balance from the force, stumbling forward.

Leonard cursed inwardly.

Some "friend" he was. Betrayed him in a heartbeat.

Steadying himself, he shot Thomas another glare before finally sitting down across from Suzy.

"Suzy, listen to me. It’s really not what you think." He raised both hands in surrender. "I swear, I don’t have any feelings for that woman whatsoever."

Suzy raised a brow. "Then how did you almost kiss her?"