Leah took a coat downstairs, just about to reply to a message, when she saw Griffith Squire sitting in the living room, talking gently to someone. As soon as he saw her coming down, he quickly closed the video, cleared his throat, and asked, "Where are you going so late?"

"I just heard a woman’s voice." Leah squinted her eyes accusingly, snorted, "Griffith, are you keeping a mistress behind my back?"

Griffith, caught off guard and speechless, found it bizarre that she could hear a woman’s voice. However, he felt a bit guilty as he hadn’t told Leah about Aurora Coldwell yet.

While he opposed her being with Richard Shaw, he wasn’t about to reveal he had a new girlfriend. The irony was amusing; anyone could predict the outcome.

"What woman? Your brother has been single for over thirty years. Go back to sleep." Griffith said blankly, holding his phone as he went upstairs to bed.

Seeing Griffith’s indifferent attitude, Leah was suspicious and wondered if she had guessed right. Even if he did have a woman, it wouldn’t matter much. After all, he had been a bachelor for over thirty years. She made a face at him and then headed out excitedly.

Outside Squire Manor, lush green trees surrounded a black military-modified car parked under the shade at a clever angle, hard to notice without careful observation.

Richard Shaw stood under the tree, lighting a cigarette but not smoking. Feeling a bit anxious, he inhaled the scent to calm himself. He had impulsively come to the South Ocean, knowing if Griffith found out, he would definitely beat him up. Even if not discovered, what if Leah didn’t want to see him?

After all, during this period, he was the one mostly seeking Leah out, and she had been busy, rarely replying to his messages. Today, she hadn’t responded at all.

Richard felt uneasy, his mind restless, waiting a long time before seeing the iron gate of Squire Manor opened from inside, and Leah, in slippers, dashed over.

The moment he saw her, the agitation he’d felt all day was soothed. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he approached and pulled her into a deep kiss before she could speak.

They hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and the kiss was intense, leaving them both breathless. Richard realized she’d just casually thrown a large coat over her pajamas and wordlessly lifted her into the car. He opened the sunroof, holding her close, eager for another kiss.

Leah saw him and didn’t speak; he kept kissing her intensely, so passionate it was hard to resist. She quickly stretched out her hand to cover his thin lips, giggling softly, "My brother’s at home."

Richard’s whole body tensed—the mention of Griffith was akin to a devil. Holding her, inhaling her familiar fragrance, he somberly asked, "So do we have to keep sneaking around like this?"

A bit flustered, Leah changed the topic, "What made you come to the South Ocean?"

"Back in Imperial City, realizing none of you were there, I decided to come take a look." Missing her drove him almost mad, though he would never say such words aloud, silently enduring the pain of longing.

"So where are you sleeping tonight?" Leah leaned against his broad chest, looking up at the sky through the sunroof, reflecting on the unusualness of secretly dating at her doorstep, hiding from Griffith.

"A hotel." He replied deeply, tightening his hold. In reality, he hadn’t planned on sleeping; he’d need to catch a flight back first thing in the morning.

"I’ll come to South Ocean and buy a place; you help me manage it, alright?" Richard Shaw contemplated the inevitability, previously never placing property in South Ocean, yet now might have to visit frequently.

"I’m not in South Ocean much myself." Leah quickly shook her head, resting her head against his chest, smiling as she spoke, "Besides, I have important things to do after the New Year."

Richard frowned, wondering what this matter was about, concerned about her health. Seriously asking, he said, "You’re unwell; the doctor said not to overexert. What are you planning to do after the New Year?"

"I haven’t decided yet." Leah mumbled, watching Delphine filming and taking care of children daily—busy and radiant with confidence, captivating in beauty. No wonder Ignatius Leclair stuck to her like glue.

Though her health wasn’t great, she had recuperated well over the years. Staying home all day was dull. Hawk Howard’s suggestion intrigued her, but she hadn’t determined what to pursue.

The two chatted idly until Leah drifted off to sleep against Richard’s chest.

Richard couldn’t bear to wake her, gazing at her sleeping face, tracing her features with coarse fingers, and barely able to resist giving her a tender kiss. Exhausted, he held her close and closed his eyes as well, opening them again when dawn broke.

Birds sang crisply and melodiously; as Richard moved, his body felt stiff. He glanced at Leah, nestled in his arm, and a soft smile appeared on his lips. Luckily, the spacious military-modified car allowed the seats to form a bed; otherwise, they would ache all over.

Seeing the morning light, Richard knew Griffith’s tendency to train early. His habits were thoroughly investigated by the army, who acknowledged this former warlord’s behavioral patterns.

He leaned over to awaken Leah with a tender kiss, voice deep and sensual, "You should head back before Griffith finds out."

Leah was still drowsy, half-asleep, bothered by the car’s hardness, reluctantly awoke by his kiss but only truly alert at Griffith’s mention. Trying to get up, she was pulled into his embrace, murmuring sleepily, "I want to sleep. If we’re caught, he’ll beat you, not me."

Richard: "..."

"Mm." He mumbled, indeed not disturbing her further, letting her continue to sleep, disregarding the potential of Griffith’s discovery—they’d face it eventually.

Leah didn’t know how long she slept, disturbed by the noisy birds outside. Reaching out to grab her phone, she accidentally provoked an urgent groan from Richard, body stiffening suddenly.

"Awake?" Richard’s voice sounded rough, his morning impulse hardly controlled, especially after holding her all night; such touch naturally incited a reaction.

Leah opened her eyes, noticing his restrained yet charming face. Strangely charmed, she rose and gave him a playful kiss, teasingly saying, "I’m heading back; if Griffith finds out, he’ll beat me to a pulp." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

She pulled open the car door, jumped out, and saw the manor’s gate open wide. Griffith stood there, his face dark, staring at her and Richard.