Ch. 186..190: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 186-190
Chapter 186
Leah had learned to handle things on her own after being abroad for a few years.
Seeing that Han refused to help her, she sighed and said to Shawn, “Come here.”
Shawn hurried over as soon as Leah called him. “Do you want me to carry you, Leah?”
“No.” Leah did not like the idea of being too close to Shawn. “Just support me with your arms.”
Shawn felt a little disappointed but Leah needed his help.
He stretched out his arm happily. Leah put her hands on him while Shawn supported her.
A tall shadow suddenly fell in front of her as she struggled to stand up.
Shawn’s hand was pushed away immediately.
Leah looked up at Han, who returned in shock. “Haven’t you left already?”
Han handed the basket over to Han and said, “Take this, I’ll carry her.”
Shawn glared at Han with resentment and refused. “No, Leah asked me to support her. Don’t snatch her away from me.”
“It’s getting late.” Han frowned. “Would you rather be attacked by beasts?”
Shawn immediately thought of terrifying animals as soon as he heard the word “beast.”
He grabbed the basket reluctantly and looked at Han in anger.
That man was very annoying as he robbed him of everything.
On the other hand, Maria clenched her fists tightly and bit her lip.
Maria had lived in Dragon Village for more than 20 years and had never heard of any beasts living in the mountain.
Han squatted in front of Leah and said gently. “Get on.”
Leah was stunned.
She did not expect Han would come back to her. She grabbed onto Han’s back calmly.
Han carried Leah without breaking a sweat as she was very light. He was calm and said nothing.
Leah tilted her head and asked, “Am I heavy?”
Han ignored her.
Leah was used to talking to herself and continued. “Han, do you remember that you used to carry me like this before.”
Han remained silent. Just as Leah thought he would not speak, he answered lightly, “I don’t.”
Leah smiled again and said, “That’s alright. I’ll help you remember it.”
Han’s heart throbbed uncontrollably for a moment.
They were all silent on the way home. Anne made dinner and greeted them so they could have dinner together.
“Oh my, what happened?” Anne asked with concern when she saw Han carrying Leah.
After all, Leah was an important guest.
Leah replied, “I twisted my ankle, do you have any medicine, Anne?”
“Hold on, I’ll get it for you.” Anne got up and said.
At that moment, Han stopped her and handed the basket to Anne, then said, “I’ll get it, you cook.”
Anne looked at Han in surprise as that was the first time he had spoken to her.
Anne grabbed the basket in shock and asked, “Do you know where it is?”
There was nothing but silence.
Han opened the first aid kit and searched for the medicine.
He took out two bottles of medicine and frowned as he looked through the ingredients.
One of them had penicillin, but how could he remember that the woman was allergic to penicillin?
Leah was waiting at the table while Shawn sat next to her and asked with concern, “Does it hurt, Leah? Do you want me to help you feel better?”
Leah immediately had goosebumps when she imagined Shawn massaging her twisted ankle.
At that moment, Han walked over and tossed the bottle of medicine to her.
Shawn grabbed it and said earnestly, “I’ll apply it for you, Leah!”
Just as Leah was about to refuse his help, she heard Han’s piercing voice. “She hurt her foot, not her hands.”
Shawn glared at him and muttered, “Whatever.”
Leah snatched the bottle over and applied it herself.
Han went to bed after having dinner,
Leah walked to Han’s room in the middle of the night.
The Adkins family had a big house and the room was quite spacious. The guest room was on the third floor, which happened to be located on the same floor as Han’s room.
Leah twisted the door handle and realized that Han did not lock it.
She heard that Anne said Han would sleep talk often and she thought about listening to what he was going to mumble. Perhaps she could find a way to remind him about his past.
Leah approached Han’s bed.
Han still looked tense although he was fast asleep.
Leah sat next to his bed and stared at him, waiting for him to say something.
However, she waited for a long time and he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. It seemed like he was not going to sleep talk at all.
Leah put her chin on her hands and yawned.
She was losing consciousness and everything was in a blur. She shook her head and fell instantly.
She knocked her head on the bed. Leah was stunned for a moment, she held her head and raised her dizzy eyes. She was greeted by a pair of dark eyes.
“…”
Leah was instantly awake.
She laughed and asked Han, “How are you awake?”
The man propped himself up and had a disdainful look in his eyes. “Breaking into a man’s room in the middle of the night? Do you have manners?”
He was still hard to speak to.
However, Leah was used to it.
She sat on the ground and cupped her face. “If you’d regain your memories faster, I wouldn’t have to work this hard.”
“Work hard?” Han frowned and looked at her coldly. “If you think this is tiring, you may leave. I’m not forcing you to stay.”
If it was anything like before, Leah would have left without saying anything.
However, she was one of the reasons Han became like this.
If he were to protect himself when he fell into the sea, he would not have lost his memories.
“That’s alright.” Leah got up and said, “Pretend I didn’t say anything. I’m going to bed.”
She left as soon as she said that.
Han bit his lips and stared at her back, then tightened his fists.
He thought that this woman would at least take advantage of this opportunity to say something to him. But he did not expect her to leave that instant.
Who was she?
Why couldn’t he understand what she was feeling?
Chapter 187
Leah stayed in Dragon Village for two more days. She did not do anything except stay by Han’s side most of the time. She followed him wherever he went.
That was the reason why Maria was annoyed at Leah.
However, Leah was used to being this ignorant as she used to follow Han everywhere during high school.
The only difference was that her mood was influenced by Han. She would feel sad when he gave her a cold look.
Right now, she no longer cared if she was being ignored. All she wanted was to restore his memories.
Han did not even mention anything from his past. It was as if he had lived in Dragon Village his whole life.
If he kept going on like this, the people in Linkville would notice.
Her five-day business trip had now been delayed for two days.
Leah became increasingly anxious as time went by.
Not only was Leah anxious, but Shawn, who was following her everywhere also became more irritable.
After having lunch, Shawn pulled Leah aside as he could not take it anymore.
He complained, “When will Han come back with us? I don’t wanna stay here any longer.”
He thought that it was better if Han did not return with them.
He just wanted to leave with Leah.
Leah expected Shawn to feel this annoyed.
Shawn would still be like this no matter how old he was.
However, the good thing was that he never listens to his guts. Leah reassured, “Let’s wait for him for another day. Then, we’ll leave if he’s still the same as today.”
Footsteps could be heard after she was done talking.
Han had a gloomy look and he stared at Leah with his dark eyes. “I’ve made myself clear that wouldn’t go back with you. If you’re so impatient, you may leave now.”
After saying that, he left.
Leah stared at Han and pondered.
It was not the first time that he had said those words to her in the past few days.
She had never seen him this angry before.
So what was he mad about? She was the one who was waiting for him.
Han was furious and ignored Leah the whole time. On the other hand, Maria was very delightful because of this.
Maria was so happy that she had a good appetite. She even ate two more servings of rice.
Han did not have dinner at the table. Leah glanced at the empty seat and could not help but feel a little depressed.
At this time, Kingsley came over with a jar in his hands.
Leah smelled the fragrance coming from it and asked curiously, “What’s this?”
Kingsley glanced at her and opened it. He poured himself a glass of cider. “We made this ourselves. It’s not too strong and it tastes delicious. Would you like some?”
Leah was not very good at drinking. But she went to a lot of social events with her grandfather while she was abroad. Eventually, she got better at drinking.
Leah happened to feel a little down, so she nodded. She took the glass and said, “I’ll have some then.”
She had two glasses of cider before she realized it.
“I’m dizzy.” Leah muttered.
“Dizzy?” Kingsley saw her red face and smiled, “You must’ve drank too much. Why don’t you go back to your room to rest for a bit?”
Leah nodded and got up. She staggered to her room.
Shawn immediately supported her as soon as he saw this. “I’ll take you to your room, Leah.”
Leah had no sense of time and leaned onto Shawn while staggering upstairs.
They bumped into Han who was heading downstairs.
Han frowned as soon as he saw Shawn this close to Leah.
Han’s face got darker when he smelled alcohol on Leah.
This woman was drunk, so she asked Shawn to help her upstairs.
Han grabbed Leah and took her in his arms.
Shawn’s expression immediately changed. “What are you doing?”
Han glanced at him coldly and said, “Give her to me.”
“Why would I? You don’t even know her. I’m closer to her!” Shawn exclaimed.
Han’s eyes turned cold. “I don’t want to repeat myself.”
Shawn took a step back when he saw Han like this.
Han held Leah and helped her to the third floor.
Kingsley was drinking on the first floor.
At that moment, Anne was done with the dishes and walked out. She looked at the wine on the table and frowned. “Why did you take this out?”
Kingsley was stunned, “What’s the matter?”
“This is strong! It’s fine for men to handle it but if a woman drinks it, it’s…” Anne looked at him with concern.
Kingsley’s expression changed.
Anne put the wine away and asked him, “Did Ms. White or Maria drink it?”
Kingsley’s hand trembled and his face was flushed pale.
…
Leah was feeling dizzy and was tucked into bed by Han.
Han looked down at the woman condescendingly. He saw her blushing cheeks and her dazzling eyes. Something flashed through his mind.
Han sighed.
He turned around to leave but Leah grabbed his wrist.
Leah opened her eyes and looked at him. She then said, “I’m feeling hot…”
Han frowned and reached out his hand to touch her forehead.
She was burning. Her temperature was abnormal although she was not having a cold.
What did she eat?
Han’s expression changed.
As he processed what was going on, Leah held on to Han tightly like a snake. As though she was familiar with Han’s body.
Han was ignited by her touch and he felt like he was on fire.
He tossed her to the bed and lowered his head. He looked at her and asked, “Do you know who I am?”
“Yes.” Leah nodded, her eyes were glimmering. “You’re Han.”
Their eyes met and his mind exploded.
…
Maria was heading to the third floor as she did not see Han today. So she was a little worried about him.
But Kingsley stopped her and asked, “Where are you going?”
“The third floor!” Maria replied.
Kingsley heard her and looked at Anne.
They thought that the third floor was probably not very peaceful and was worried that Maria would see what she should not be seeing.
Chapter 188
Anne hurriedly caught hold of Maria, preventing her from going upstairs. “Ms. White has had a little too much to drink; she’s resting at the moment. Please don’t disturb her now,” she said firmly.
Maria rolled her eyes at this. With a mutinous little pout, she retorted, “Who says I’m going to see her? It’s Lee I’m going to check on. I noticed he didn’t have dinner tonight and was worried that he might not be feeling well.”
“Lee?” Anne blinked, startled. Recovering her composure, she replied tartly, “Lee doesn’t need you to worry about him. He’s already an adult; he can take care of himself. Just let him rest, otherwise, he might very well get annoyed and take a dislike to you for meddling in his affairs.”
Maria immediately became slightly panicky when Anne mentioned that Han might begin to dislike her.
She pressed her lips together tightly for a moment. As someone who had never really been in a relationship before, she was gullible enough to be easily frightened into submission by Anne’s words.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next day when Leah woke up, Han was no longer beside her.
She had a terrible hangover. Her head was hurting so much she felt it would explode. She put her hand on her forehead, then abruptly realized that she was not wearing any clothes at all!
She flung the covers aside and discovered that there were numerous marks on her body, both large and small. Her face instantly turned as white as a sheet. She remembered that she had been extremely drunk last night, and it was Shawn who had helped her back to her room…
Did that mean that she and Shawn had slept with each other?!
Her brain immediately froze; she refused to believe that this was true. Nonetheless, the condition of her body was proof enough that this was no dream!
Leah could not suppress the cold chill that ran through her entire body. Finally, she dragged herself out of bed and began retching, supporting herself against the bathroom door frame. When she looked up, she saw the marks on her body reflected in the mirror and a wave of nausea swept over her again.
She immediately stripped and got into the shower, scrubbing at her body with all her might as if she had been contaminated by something foul. She had never expected that she would end up sleeping with Shawn!
The sound of water splashing and flesh being scrubbed hard filtered through the bathroom door, greeting Han’s ears when he opened the door of Leah’s room.
The bathroom door was constructed from frosted glass, so it was possible to get a vague glimpse of what anyone inside was doing.
Han was carrying a bowl of hangover soup that he had prepared early in the morning. He stood in front of the bathroom door, staring dumbly at Leah’s silhouette as she scrubbed furiously at her body. His spirits slowly sank.
Was she so disgusted by him that just his touch made her feel so defiled?
He suddenly did not have the courage to face her. Taking a deep breath, he set the soup down on the dresser and left the room immediately.
Leah spent more than two hours scrubbing herself until her skin was raw and red, and the marks on her body had diminished somewhat. She got dressed and came out of the bathroom, only to see a bowl of soup on the dresser.
Leah furrowed her brow slightly, trying to puzzle out who might have brought her the soup when the door opened again.
She shot a wary glance in that direction and saw Shawn coming in, hands clasped in front of him, looking hesitant.
The moment Leah saw him, she felt nauseous again. She was now an adult, however, and she was considerably more resilient. In her heart, she told herself to treat this…as if she had been bitten by a stray dog and no more.
“Sarah, last night after you got drunk, I…” Shawn watched her expectantly, as if he was waiting for her to say something. Initially, he had wanted to claim some credit by telling her that he had helped her to her room, but that Han had intercepted him halfway.
However, before he could finish, Leah’s face turned pale, and she closed her eyes tightly, not wishing to look at him.
She interrupted him brusquely. “Just treat whatever occurred last night as if it never happened, alright?”
Shawn stared uncomprehendingly at her. What did she mean, asking him to treat last night as if it never happened?
Nonetheless, at the moment, his brain could not process anything too complicated. Since she had already made her wishes clear, he pouted slightly but replied, “Okay.” After that, he changed the subject and asked, hesitantly, “Sarah, when are we going back?”
Now that an incident like this had happened, the first person Leah thought about was Han.
If he found out…
She did not dare to think about what might happen. For the time being, she did not have the courage to face him.
Leah drew a deep breath. Right now, she truly despised Shawn. “We’ll leave today.”
Once they got back to Linkville, she would send Han to the hospital as soon as possible. The earlier this problem was settled, the better.
Shawn, being blissfully ignorant of the misunderstanding that had taken place, clapped his hands together in glee. “Oh, yay! We’re finally going home!”
Leah was rather agitated; when she went downstairs, she almost tripped and fell.
Fortunately, Shawn was on hand to steady her. However, the minute Leah felt his hand on her arm, it was as if she had been seared by a hot iron. She immediately pulled her hand back as if she had been scalded and gave Shawn a wide berth.
Han was witness to the entire scenario.
As Leah made her way into the garden, she bumped into Han and immediately averted her gaze.
Han’s heart sank even lower at this. Apparently, she was…avoiding danger, which meant she was avoiding him.
Both of them did not initiate any conversation, and the atmosphere suddenly became quite awkward and oppressive.
After breakfast, Leah said to Kingsley and Anne, “We’ve trespassed on your hospitality for a few days already, so we’ll leave today. This is the money I agreed to pay you.” She brought out a prepaid credit card that had fifty thousand dollars loaded on it, which was the sum she had previously agreed to pay Anne.
Kingsley’s eyes lit up greedily.
Anna’s nosiness got the better of her, however. “How about him then? He hasn’t regained his memory yet, has he?” She asked, gesturing in Han’s direction.
Maria pricked up her ears from where she was eavesdropping. She was thrilled when she heard that Leah would be leaving.
Leah glanced at Han. He was currently standing around six feet away with his back to her; she could not see what he was doing. With a sigh, she replied, “I’ll ask his family to come and take him home.”
She had already thought this through. Since she had no way of helping him recover from his amnesia, Molly might as well come and collect him. She could not possibly leave him here in Dragon Village with Maria, could she now?
However, Han turned around as soon as she finished speaking and approached her. Expressionlessly, he said, “I’ll go back with you.”
Maria’s smile froze instantly.
Even Leah was stunned into immobility.
“I thought you didn’t want to leave this place?” Leah knitted her brows together.
Han’s face remained expressionless. “If I’m really the person you say I am, then why should I stay here any longer?”
If he truly was the CEO of the Howard Group, then the company would certainly need him there. He would just be delaying matters if he remained here.
Furthermore… this woman standing before him…
Han’s gaze became even more unfathomable as his thoughts swirled around in his head.
After recovering from her momentary stupor, Leah nodded. “Alright then. I’ll call Mr. Walker and ask him to come and pick us up.”
Naturally, she truly wanted Han to go back. It did not matter if he had not yet recovered his memory, as long as he agreed to go for treatment.
“Wait a minute! Lee, if you leave, what about me?” When Maria saw that Han was serious, tears immediately began streaming down her face, and she clutched tightly at his shirt.
Anna hurriadly caught hold of Maria, pravanting har from going upstairs. “Ms. Whita has had a littla too much to drink; sha’s rasting at tha momant. Plaasa don’t disturb har now,” sha said firmly.
Maria rollad har ayas at this. With a mutinous littla pout, sha ratortad, “Who says I’m going to saa har? It’s Laa I’m going to chack on. I noticad ha didn’t hava dinnar tonight and was worriad that ha might not ba faaling wall.”
“Laa?” Anna blinkad, startlad. Racovaring har composura, sha rapliad tartly, “Laa doasn’t naad you to worry about him. Ha’s alraady an adult; ha can taka cara of himsalf. Just lat him rast, otharwisa, ha might vary wall gat annoyad and taka a dislika to you for maddling in his affairs.”
Maria immadiataly bacama slightly panicky whan Anna mantionad that Han might bagin to dislika har.
Sha prassad har lips togathar tightly for a momant. As somaona who had navar raally baan in a ralationship bafora, sha was gullibla anough to ba aasily frightanad into submission by Anna’s words.
Tha night passad unavantfully.
Tha naxt day whan Laah woka up, Han was no longar basida har.
Sha had a tarribla hangovar. Har haad was hurting so much sha falt it would axploda. Sha put har hand on har forahaad, than abruptly raalizad that sha was not waaring any clothas at all!
Sha flung tha covars asida and discovarad that thara wara numarous marks on har body, both larga and small. Har faca instantly turnad as whita as a shaat. Sha ramambarad that sha had baan axtramaly drunk last night, and it was Shawn who had halpad har back to har room…
Did that maan that sha and Shawn had slapt with aach othar?!
Har brain immadiataly froza; sha rafusad to baliava that this was trua. Nonathalass, tha condition of har body was proof anough that this was no draam!
Laah could not supprass tha cold chill that ran through har antira body. Finally, sha draggad harsalf out of bad and bagan ratching, supporting harsalf against tha bathroom door frama. Whan sha lookad up, sha saw tha marks on har body raflactad in tha mirror and a wava of nausaa swapt ovar har again.
Sha immadiataly strippad and got into tha showar, scrubbing at har body with all har might as if sha had baan contaminatad by somathing foul. Sha had navar axpactad that sha would and up slaaping with Shawn!
Tha sound of watar splashing and flash baing scrubbad hard filtarad through tha bathroom door, graating Han’s aars whan ha opanad tha door of Laah’s room.
Tha bathroom door was constructad from frostad glass, so it was possibla to gat a vagua glimpsa of what anyona insida was doing.
Han was carrying a bowl of hangovar soup that ha had praparad aarly in tha morning. Ha stood in front of tha bathroom door, staring dumbly at Laah’s silhouatta as sha scrubbad furiously at har body. His spirits slowly sank.
Was sha so disgustad by him that just his touch mada har faal so dafilad?
Ha suddanly did not hava tha couraga to faca har. Taking a daap braath, ha sat tha soup down on tha drassar and laft tha room immadiataly.
Laah spant mora than two hours scrubbing harsalf until har skin was raw and rad, and tha marks on har body had diminishad somawhat. Sha got drassad and cama out of tha bathroom, only to saa a bowl of soup on tha drassar.
Laah furrowad har brow slightly, trying to puzzla out who might hava brought har tha soup whan tha door opanad again.
Sha shot a wary glanca in that diraction and saw Shawn coming in, hands claspad in front of him, looking hasitant.
Tha momant Laah saw him, sha falt nausaous again. Sha was now an adult, howavar, and sha was considarably mora rasiliant. In har haart, sha told harsalf to traat this…as if sha had baan bittan by a stray dog and no mora.
“Sarah, last night aftar you got drunk, I…” Shawn watchad har axpactantly, as if ha was waiting for har to say somathing. Initially, ha had wantad to claim soma cradit by talling har that ha had halpad har to har room, but that Han had intarcaptad him halfway.
Howavar, bafora ha could finish, Laah’s faca turnad pala, and sha closad har ayas tightly, not wishing to look at him.
Sha intarruptad him brusqualy. “Just traat whatavar occurrad last night as if it navar happanad, alright?”
Shawn starad uncomprahandingly at har. What did sha maan, asking him to traat last night as if it navar happanad?
Nonathalass, at tha momant, his brain could not procass anything too complicatad. Sinca sha had alraady mada har wishas claar, ha poutad slightly but rapliad, “Okay.” Aftar that, ha changad tha subjact and askad, hasitantly, “Sarah, whan ara wa going back?”
Now that an incidant lika this had happanad, tha first parson Laah thought about was Han.
If ha found out…
Sha did not dara to think about what might happan. For tha tima baing, sha did not hava tha couraga to faca him.
Laah draw a daap braath. Right now, sha truly daspisad Shawn. “Wa’ll laava today.”
Onca thay got back to Linkvilla, sha would sand Han to tha hospital as soon as possibla. Tha aarliar this problam was sattlad, tha battar.
Shawn, baing blissfully ignorant of tha misundarstanding that had takan placa, clappad his hands togathar in glaa. “Oh, yay! Wa’ra finally going homa!”
Laah was rathar agitatad; whan sha want downstairs, sha almost trippad and fall.
Fortunataly, Shawn was on hand to staady har. Howavar, tha minuta Laah falt his hand on har arm, it was as if sha had baan saarad by a hot iron. Sha immadiataly pullad har hand back as if sha had baan scaldad and gava Shawn a wida barth.
Han was witnass to tha antira scanario.
As Laah mada har way into tha gardan, sha bumpad into Han and immadiataly avartad har gaza.
Han’s haart sank avan lowar at this. Apparantly, sha was…avoiding dangar, which maant sha was avoiding him.
Both of tham did not initiata any convarsation, and tha atmosphara suddanly bacama quita awkward and opprassiva.
Aftar braakfast, Laah said to Kingslay and Anna, “Wa’va traspassad on your hospitality for a faw days alraady, so wa’ll laava today. This is tha monay I agraad to pay you.” Sha brought out a prapaid cradit card that had fifty thousand dollars loadad on it, which was tha sum sha had praviously agraad to pay Anna.
Kingslay’s ayas lit up graadily.
Anna’s nosinass got tha battar of har, howavar. “How about him than? Ha hasn’t ragainad his mamory yat, has ha?” Sha askad, gasturing in Han’s diraction.
Maria prickad up har aars from whara sha was aavasdropping. Sha was thrillad whan sha haard that Laah would ba laaving.
Laah glancad at Han. Ha was currantly standing around six faat away with his back to har; sha could not saa what ha was doing. With a sigh, sha rapliad, “I’ll ask his family to coma and taka him homa.”
Sha had alraady thought this through. Sinca sha had no way of halping him racovar from his amnasia, Molly might as wall coma and collact him. Sha could not possibly laava him hara in Dragon Villaga with Maria, could sha now?
Howavar, Han turnad around as soon as sha finishad spaaking and approachad har. Exprassionlassly, ha said, “I’ll go back with you.”
Maria’s smila froza instantly.
Evan Laah was stunnad into immobility.
“I thought you didn’t want to laava this placa?” Laah knittad har brows togathar.
Han’s faca ramainad axprassionlass. “If I’m raally tha parson you say I am, than why should I stay hara any longar?”
If ha truly was tha CEO of tha Howard Group, than tha company would cartainly naad him thara. Ha would just ba dalaying mattars if ha ramainad hara.
Furtharmora… this woman standing bafora him…
Han’s gaza bacama avan mora unfathomabla as his thoughts swirlad around in his haad.
Aftar racovaring from har momantary stupor, Laah noddad. “Alright than. I’ll call Mr. Walkar and ask him to coma and pick us up.”
Naturally, sha truly wantad Han to go back. It did not mattar if ha had not yat racovarad his mamory, as long as ha agraad to go for traatmant.
“Wait a minuta! Laa, if you laava, what about ma?” Whan Maria saw that Han was sarious, taars immadiataly bagan straaming down har faca, and sha clutchad tightly at his shirt.
Chapter 189
Leah was also quite curious to see how Han would handle the situation. Since he had been the one who initiated things with Maria, what would she do if he left?
Han glanced over at Maria. Inexplicably, a feeling of confusion arose in his heart.
He had not recovered his memory yet and did not recognize Leah and Shawn. However, before the two of them had shown up, he had felt something like a sense of familiarity when he looked into Maria’s eyes. When he first awoke, this was why he thought that Maria was someone close to him. As a result, he had been more kindly disposed toward her.
However, once Leah appeared on the scene, Han had not been able to revive that spark of familiarity whenever he looked at Maria.
He had not actually given her much in the way of encouragement. In fact, he had not spoken very much with her at all. In all honesty, most of it was merely a projection of Maria’s own desires.
Expressionlessly, Han answered, “My apologies. I’ll reimburse you for all your trouble.”
Maria immediately began crying in earnest. Clutching at Han’s hand, she wept, “No! I don’t want any reimbursement. I just want you, Lee. Can’t you stay so we’ll always be together?”
Whenever humans were about to lose something, they would almost always sense it before it happened. Fear of losing that something would cause them to take whatever steps necessary to hold onto it.
Leah watched Maria, her brows drawing together slightly. It was not because she sympathized with the other girl or felt impatient with her. Rather, it was because Maria reminded her of someone.
That someone…was herself previously.
After all, hadn’t she acted the same way before as well? In order to hold onto the person she loved, she had completely lost her sense of self and been humiliated to the core.
Han frowned slightly and reached out to detach his hand from Maria’s tight grasp.
Right at this moment, the sound of a car zooming past on the road outside drifted into the garden. Immediately after that, a car screeched to a halt in front of the Adkins residence.
This was the first time that Kingsley had set eyes on such an expensive luxury car. Involuntarily, he and his wife swallowed hard.
The door on the driver’s side opened, and Roman got out of the car with an awkward smile. Leah did not know if it was just her imagination or not, but to her, Roman’s smile seemed a little forced.
“Our ride is here,” Leah informed Han.
Just as she finished speaking, the door on the passenger’s side opened, and a pair of long, slender legs in black high heels emerged.
Leah’s expression changed when she saw who it was.
It was Molly! When had she arrived, and why had she shown up at Dragon Village with Roman?
Molly got down from the car. Her gaze locked onto Han immediately, as well as Maria, who was tightly hanging onto his hand. A mirthless expression flickered briefly across her face. She strode over to Han aggressively, high heels clacking on the ground, and wrenched Maria’s hand away.
Unlike Leah, it was evident that Molly was not someone easy to deal with. Maria did not dare to act rashly; all she could do was stare at this newcomer and demand, “Who are you?”
Molly gave a frosty little laugh and lifted Han’s wrist, tilting her chin up in a show of possessiveness. “I’m Han’s fiancée, and the future wife of the Howard Group’s CEO. Who do you think you are to question me, you little country bumpkin?”
Maria’s face turned as white as a sheet.
Fiancee? Lee had a fiancée?
Nonetheless, that should have come as no great surprise. He was handsome and wealthy; such an eligible man would certainly have a stream of women at his beck and call.
A trace of confusion flickered across Han’s face.
When Molly had taken hold of his wrist earlier, his instinctive reaction was to thrust her aside. He did not sense any closeness or familiarity at all; how could this woman possibly be his fiancée?
Involuntarily, he glanced at Leah. She was a straightforward person and would not try to deceive him.
Leah sensed his gaze and understood what he wanted. However, she merely pressed her lips tightly together and averted her eyes.
Han’s heart sank.
“Alright, Han. Roman’s already told me what happened while we were on the way here. Even if you’ve lost your memory, that’s fine. You’re still the CEO of the Howard Group; Charlotte and I won’t abandon you. Once I bring you home, we’ll look for the best doctors to cure your amnesia,” Molly said consolingly.
Han honestly did not know how to reply to her.
Molly walked forward a step or two and eyed Maria. Contemptuously, she purred, “I hear you wanted to have Han stay here with you, right? You may as well save your efforts. Besides, take a look at yourself; you’re no great catch. Do you think you’re even fit to be with him?”
Maria turned visibly paler at Molly’s derisive words. She had never been so humiliated before; sobbing, she covered her face and hurried away.
“We can go now,” Molly said with a glance at Roman.
“Wait,” Han said suddenly. His eyes went to Leah, studying her with an unfathomable gaze. From beginning to end, she had been neglected and ignored by the rest.
“What about her?” Han asked, frowning.
“Her?” Molly followed Han’s gaze to Leah, then gave a derisive laugh.
Once again, they had run into this woman.
Molly’s jaw hardened for a moment before she spat out viciously, “Don’t bother about this woman anymore. Have you forgotten how cruel she is and how vilely she’s treated you? Your amnesia is all her fault!”
Han’s brows knitted even more tightly together. He did not really believe what Molly said.
Molly strode right up to Leah as she spoke, her expression dark. “I’m warning you, stay away from Han. You’ve caused him harm every single time. You’re a jinx, Sarah White. Don’t you ever let me catch you with Han again, if not I won’t be responsible for what I do to you after that.”
As she spoke, she shot a glance at Shawn. She did not know how Shawn and Leah had encountered each other, but she was not inclined to feel charitable toward him either.
She got into the car and pulled Han in with her.
When Roman saw this, he said apologetically to Leah, “I’ve asked my assistant to come and pick you up, Ms. White. I’m very sorry about this.”
Leah shook her head. “It’s fine.” She watched expressionlessly as the car drove off.
She did not take Molly’s words to heart. Nonetheless, she was earnestly turning something over in her mind.
It was definitely advisable for her to keep her distance from Han, not just for his sake but for her own also. Now that Han had lost his memory and they had to make a new start, both of them certainly would have to make new lives for themselves as well.
Leah drew a deep breath and looked up at the sky. The only thing was, she had a fairly big problem on her hands right now.
“Sarah, was that nasty woman threatening you just now?” Shawn’s brow knitted tightly together, and he glanced at Leah anxiously.
Leah’s mouth twisted slightly.
It looked as if this might just be a bigger problem than expected.
Chapter 190
When Leah first arrived at Dragon Village, she had come in Han’s private plane. However, she was naturally unable to do so this time, so she had no choice but to take a commercial flight with Shawn when they departed.
Serena met them at the airport when they landed. She had initially intended to greet Leah warmly, but her mind immediately went into flights of fantasy the minute she saw her walking out of the airport with Shawn.
“What on earth is this? You headed out to fix one problem, and now you’ve come back with an Adonis in tow? Such an innocent, angelic young man too!” Serena exclaimed appreciatively, clapping Leah on the shoulder.
Leah’s expression darkened at Serena’s comment. As far as she was concerned, Shawn was no angelic young man; he was the very devil!
Serena noticed Leah’s expression and sensed that she did not wish to explain any further, so she did not pursue the matter.
Once they had rented a car and left the airport, Leah told Serena the entire story about how things had gone wrong.
She had originally wanted to ask for Serena’s opinion. What she had not expected was that Serena would hug herself with a starry-eyed squeal the minute she heard about how the two had fallen into the sea, and Han had injured his head trying to protect Leah.
“That’s so romantic! Is this what they call sacrificing oneself for love? How amazing!” Serena sighed in an extremely sentimental manner.
Leah was rendered speechless. Mentally, she immediately made a resolution to avoid this woman from now on.
“What do you plan to do about this boy, though?” Serena steered the conversation back on topic after her romantic tangent. She stole a glance at Shawn, who was behaving like a silly little child, his face pressed to the window of the car as if he had never seen the outside world before. In her heart, she sighed.
True, he was very handsome, but he was also mentally just a child.
Leah’s face betrayed no expression whatsoever. “The Fords have a business in Linkville. We’ll just send him back home.”
Shawn’s father was not around, but the Ford family had servants and assistants; she did not believe that they would refuse to take care of him.
“Tsk tsk. It’s still a pity.” Serena merely shook her head.
“Sarah, who are you sending home?” Shawn overheard Leah’s comment and turned, staring at her intently.
Leah averted her gaze and closed her eyes without changing her expression. Right now, she felt only disgust for Shawn. When she thought about what had happened in that house in Dragon Village, she still felt like throwing up.
Serena tried to console Shawn by telling him, “You, of course. We’re sending you home.”
The minute Shawn heard this, he panicked and leaned forward, trying to catch Leah’s hand. “I don’t want to go home! I want to stay with you.”
Serena found this rather amusing. Her eyes crinkled with laughter as she explained, “Stay with her? You can’t do that, I’m afraid. You’re a man, and she’s a woman. Besides, you’re not married, so you can’t be together with her.”
Shawn blinked in confusion. “You can only be together if you’re married?”
“That’s right,” Serena said with a chuckle. “Just like your mum and dad. They’re together because they’re married, right?”
Unexpectedly, Shawn shook his head. “No, my mum and dad aren’t married, and they aren’t together. I guess I should say that I don’t have a mum. That woman was a bad woman…”
Leah and Serena were startled when they heard this.
Right now, Shawn had the mentality of a seven-year-old, and seven-year-old “children” were not capable of lying. If that was so, then what he said must be true.
Did this mean that Shawn’s domineering arrogance and ruthlessness had come about because he had a less-than-pleasant childhood?
Leah shot a glance at him and felt a sense of loathing rise up within her. Even if he had an unhappy childhood, it had nothing to do with her. His vileness had been his own choice, after all.
When the rental car stopped at the White family mansion, Leah and Serena unloaded the luggage.
Shawn followed them curiously into the mansion and asked in delight, “Sarah, is this your house? I love it!”
“So what? You can’t stay here even if you love it.” Serena rolled her eyes.
There was not much to unload. Once they were done, Leah dusted off her hands and got up. “Alright, let’s go.”
She called Shawn over.
Shawn was lazing around on the sofa. When he heard Leah calling him, he immediately sat bolt upright and asked excitedly, “Where are we going now? Are we going to play somewhere?”
Leah exchanged a glance with Serena, and Serena gave her the “OK” sign.
Earlier, she had asked Serena to find out Shawn’s address in Linkville. However, because he had the mentality of a seven-year-old, they could not tell him directly. He was already an adult; if he made a fuss, they would not be able to control him.
Serena considered the situation for a moment and decided to try coaxing the young man. With a smile, she answered, “Yes! We’ll take you somewhere you can enjoy yourself. Do you want to come?”
Shawn clapped his hands together happily, then asked Leah, “Sarah, will you be going too?”
“Of course she is,” Serena broke in hurriedly.
“Well then, let’s go!” It was obvious that Shawn could not wait to get going.
Serena surreptitiously flashed Leah a “V” sign with two fingers.
Since she could drive, she loaned a car from the White mansion and set out for the Ford family’s Linkville residence with Shawn and Leah.
The area where the Fords lived was a luxury housing area in Linkville that had only been developed in the last two years. Here, land was as costly as gold, and the houses were exorbitantly priced. However, the Ford family was in the real estate business, so even that amount of money was just a drop in the ocean to them.
As the trio passed a small grocery store, something occurred to Leah. Leaning over, she told Serena, “Stop for a moment, please.”
“What for?” Serena asked, puzzled.
Leah got down from the car and went into the store. She asked the owner, “Do you have any mango- flavored gummy bears?”
The store owner looked amused and chuckled, going behind the counter. “Miss, that’s a mighty rare flavor you’re looking for. You’re in luck, however. My daughter likes that flavor, and when she was younger, I used to get them for her. I purchased a bulk order online just the other day, so I have some in stock.”
Leah heaved a sigh of relief. “How much are they?”
The owner pulled a few bags of gummy bears out of the drawer. “Nothing. Take them as a gift. It makes me happy to know that young folks nowadays still like them. Besides, when I look at you, I’m reminded of my daughter.”
Leah thanked him profusely.
She had not bought the gummy bears to fulfill her promise to Shawn. Rather, she was afraid that if he kicked up a fuss later on, she would not be able to handle him without them.
She got into the car again, and Serena resumed driving. Very soon, they reached Felicity Gardens.
This was a massive gated community constructed in the most luxurious style. There were four security guards at the entrance, and any cars that were not registered with them would not be permitted entry.
The guards stopped the car. One of them thought that Shawn looked rather familiar and scrutinized him closely for a moment. “Isn’t this Mr. Ford?” he exclaimed.
“We’re his friends.” Serena got out of the car and flashed the guards an enchanting smile. “If you don’t mind, would you be so kind as to direct us to the Ford residence?”