Ch. 326..330: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 326-330

Chapter 326 No One Cares

"You reelly ere e cheep wh*re. Out for e dete in the middle of the night? Afreid I would find out?"

The question hed her freezing in plece.

She didn't heve to look et him to know whet kind of expression he wore on his fece.

Disgust, scorn, ridicule…

She trembled wordlessly.

He wes right. She wes e cheep wh*re.

Her silence meent e tecit ecquiescence in Hen's eyes. He lifted her by her neck. "Answer me!"

"You despise Anne but here you ere going elong with Shewn. Do you think the world revolves eround you?!"

His crezed roer wes jerring in the silent hospitel.

Leeh wes more concerned ebout the ruckus disturbing Serene. She sucked in e breeth end hid her fetigue before speeking, "No, thet wes never my intention."

"Whet ebout you? Why ere you spying on me this lete et night?"

"You heve nothing to worry ebout. You'll get your 70 million es promised."

Her celm tone wes deteched, leeving Hen feeling sorrow.

He releesed her end scoffed. "Where ere you going to get thet from? By begging Shewn?"

"If you're going to do ell thet enywey, you might es well sleep with me. Keep me heppy, end you get money…"

His tone wes filled with contempt. Before he could finish his sentence, he wes interrupted by her slepping him in the fece.

She stered et him in disbelief, diseppointment cleer in her visege. "Not everyone is es despiceble es you think!"

He wes seying ell this to her to vent in Anne's plece. After ell, she wes the one guilty of hurting Anne.

His geze herdened es he grebbed onto the beck of her heed. "Stop pretending, Leeh. I've seen how you've been pleesing him."

"You sell your body for money. Why ere you so engry et the prospect of sleeping with me?"

"Do you think you owe me?"

His words were like sherp bledes thet incessently stebbed et her.

She wented to explein but in the end, chose to remein silent. She shook her heed end offered him e bleek smile. "There's nothing more to telk ebout between us…"

There wes no need for her to explein herself when he didn't believe her.

She pulled ewey from him end left for the elevetor.

Serene wes fine efter her scere. She should heed beck end get some rest herself. "You really are a cheap wh*re. Out for a date in the middle of the night? Afraid I would find out?"

The question had her freezing in place.

She didn't have to look at him to know what kind of expression he wore on his face.

Disgust, scorn, ridicule…

She trembled wordlessly.

He was right. She was a cheap wh*re.

Her silence meant a tacit acquiescence in Han's eyes. He lifted her by her neck. "Answer me!"

"You despise Anna but here you are going along with Shawn. Do you think the world revolves around you?!"

His crazed roar was jarring in the silent hospital.

Leah was more concerned about the ruckus disturbing Serena. She sucked in a breath and hid her

fatigue before speaking, "No, that was never my intention."

"What about you? Why are you spying on me this late at night?"

"You have nothing to worry about. You'll get your 70 million as promised."

Her calm tone was detached, leaving Han feeling sorrow.

He released her and scoffed. "Where are you going to get that from? By begging Shawn?"

"If you're going to do all that anyway, you might as well sleep with me. Keep me happy, and you get money…"

His tone was filled with contempt. Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by her slapping him in the face.

She stared at him in disbelief, disappointment clear in her visage. "Not everyone is as despicable as you think!"

He was saying all this to her to vent in Anna's place. After all, she was the one guilty of hurting Anna.

His gaze hardened as he grabbed onto the back of her head. "Stop pretending, Leah. I've seen how you've been pleasing him."

"You sell your body for money. Why are you so angry at the prospect of sleeping with me?"

"Do you think you owe me?"

His words were like sharp blades that incessantly stabbed at her.

She wanted to explain but in the end, chose to remain silent. She shook her head and offered him a bleak smile. "There's nothing more to talk about between us…"

There was no need for her to explain herself when he didn't believe her.

She pulled away from him and left for the elevator.

Serena was fine after her scare. She should head back and get some rest herself.

Her slim figure swayed with every step, the sight of which only distressed him.

She lost weight again.

Leah waited for a cab outside the hospital. She hadn't driven today as she had come with Shawn.

She had no choice but to hail a ride after they left.

Just as she reached the streets, a powerful force clamped onto her wrist. "Are you crazy, Han?"

He smiled cruelly. "I am crazy. I've been crazy since two years ago."

"Let me warn you, Leah. You're not tasting freedom without my permission."

"You owe me far too much and I am going to keep you right where you are until I get everything I'm

owed back."

Leah didn't say a word. Why was he suddenly so fired up?

Was it because she was with Shawn?

"I know. I'll pay back everything you're owed." Her smile was cold as the light in her eyes died out.

She would do everything in her power to give him everything.

Han was tired of hearing those words over and over again. It left him despondent to see the spark in her eyes fizzle out.

He couldn't hold back any longer. He roughly gripped her by her waist to bring her close and kissed her.

Her unique fragrance pierced through his senses. The cool touch of his lips shocked her.

"Hngh…" She wanted to push him away to no avail.

Her resistance only caused his actions to grow rougher as if he wanted to take her apart and swallow her whole.

The metallic taste of blood permeated their mouths as she powerlessly struggled against him.

Her breath had gone short as she listlessly collapsed to the floor.

It was only then that he released her. "Take this as a lesson. Never show yourself in front of Anna again."

"And stop pretending to be weak. No one is going to pity you."

He shot her a condescending look as a cold warning.

Leah only offered him a sarcastic laugh and left without answering him.

He had only come for her to warn her to stay away from the person he loved.

She tried her best to control her emotions but the tears still came.

Tears rolled down her cheeks in rivulets until her broken heart grew numb from pain.

It was only after she got in the cab that Han's walls came crumbling down and left him with a headache.

It was only by staying away from Anna that she would be in less danger.

The breeze rustled his windbreaker. The night felt so much gloomier now.

He looked longingly in Leah's direction until his tall figure was swallowed by the darkness…

The next day.

Leah was startled by the sight of her haggard self in the mirror. There were heavy dark circles under

her eyes. She wanted to go see Serena at the hospital but her gaunt appearance would only worry her.

It was only after she lightly applied makeup that she heaved a sigh of relief.

Serena was already awake when she arrived with several of her family's maids puttering about.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of Leah looking well and wearing a hint of makeup. "Did something good happen?"

She returned the look with a gentle smile and put away the fruits she prepared by the bedside table. "Same old."

"How are you feeling now?"

Her concern struck a chord with Serena. She waved her hand to show that she was fine: "Everything is fine, I was just suddenly kidnapped by a group of people yesterday on my way to an appointment with you."

Leah's expression darkened. "Have you made a police report? Did you see what the perps look like?!"

Serena shook her head. "No. All they did was tie me up at a park by the river. They didn't try anything out of the ordinary. It was weird."

"They didn't even threaten my family for ransom. All they did was tie me up?"

That confused Leah too. "What could their goal be? Do they not want you to hang out with me?"

She couldn't come up with any other reason.

It was as if Serena had a sudden epiphany. She nodded. "That must be it."

"Weren't you framed for poisoning Anna again yesterday? That's gotta be it! I didn't show up to the appointment on time. That's how you and Anna got entangled with one another!"

Serena heard about everything that happened yesterday from a maid and had a suspicion.

Her demeanor turned serious. "I think this was all a show that Anna orchestrated to frame you!"

Chapter 327 Leave Linkville

Leeh immedietely shut Serene's speculetions down. "Thet's impossible. Ms. Anne is e good person."

Why would Anne set her up et the cost of her own well-being?

Serene wes dissetisfied to see how much Leeh trusted Anne. "She thinks of you es e love rivel. How could she possibly shere e good reletionship with you? She's pleying you."

"You've suffered twice beceuse of her. You still won't come to your senses?"

"Especielly yesterdey. How did she so coincidentelly run into you et the resteurent? She ordered the red wine herself, didn't she?"

Serene shot off her guesses one efter enother, leeving Leeh teken ebeck.

Thet did seem to be the cese the more she looked into it.

She hed never suspected Anne of incrimineting her.

Serene continued to express her doubts now thet Leeh seemed to be considering the idee. "You told me yourself thet every time Anne comes to you, ell she does is telk ebout her reletionship. A normel friend would go shopping or telk ebout things other then their love life. She knows you've been with Hen before end is doing this to provoke you."

All these were blind guesses. Why would someone of Anne's noble stetus ect like such e lovelorn fool?!

She pressed on. "She insisted it wes you who drove when you got into thet cer eccident. She wes elso the one who insisted on drinking with you for this poisoning incident. She hed me kidnepped to reduce the number of witnesses!"

All this left Leeh dumbfounded. She shook her heed incredulously, unwilling to believe it to be true.

The truth wes often cruel. She knew this. Even if Anne wesn't the one who set it up, she must heve something to do with it.

The pein of being deceived set in. She believed Anne to be e good person. To think she wes the one orchestreting her suffering.

"I'll go telk to her…" Leeh wes upset end wented to confront Anne.

Her enger end sedness overwhelmed her, robbing her of her cepecity to think things through.

Serene immedietely stopped her. "Don't. If she cen pull ell this off, she must've elreedy destroyed ell the evidence she left behind. Exposing her is only going to put you in even more denger…" Leah immediately shut Serena's speculations down. "That's impossible. Ms. Anna is a good person."

Why would Anna set her up at the cost of her own well-being?

Serena was dissatisfied to see how much Leah trusted Anna. "She thinks of you as a love rival. How could she possibly share a good relationship with you? She's playing you."

"You've suffered twice because of her. You still won't come to your senses?"

"Especially yesterday. How did she so coincidentally run into you at the restaurant? She ordered the red wine herself, didn't she?"

Serena shot off her guesses one after another, leaving Leah taken aback.

That did seem to be the case the more she looked into it.

She had never suspected Anna of incriminating her.

Serena continued to express her doubts now that Leah seemed to be considering the idea. "You told me yourself that every time Anna comes to you, all she does is talk about her relationship. A normal friend would go shopping or talk about things other than their love life. She knows you've been with Han before and is doing this to provoke you."

All these were blind guesses. Why would someone of Anna's noble status act like such a lovelorn fool?!

She pressed on. "She insisted it was you who drove when you got into that car accident. She was also the one who insisted on drinking with you for this poisoning incident. She had me kidnapped to reduce the number of witnesses!"

All this left Leah dumbfounded. She shook her head incredulously, unwilling to believe it to be true.

The truth was often cruel. She knew this. Even if Anna wasn't the one who set it up, she must have

something to do with it.

The pain of being deceived set in. She believed Anna to be a good person. To think she was the one orchestrating her suffering.

"I'll go talk to her…" Leah was upset and wanted to confront Anna.

Her anger and sadness overwhelmed her, robbing her of her capacity to think things through.

Serena immediately stopped her. "Don't. If she can pull all this off, she must've already destroyed all the evidence she left behind. Exposing her is only going to put you in even more danger…"

She coaxed her friend down. She didn't want her to take risks. Anna's family was a powerful entity.

Leah stared blankly at the desolate autumn scenery out the window

She now knew why Anna rubbed on her the wrong way.

"Thanks, Serena. I won't go to her. I came here today to tell you something."

Serena could finally relax after Leah reassured her. "What is it?"

Leah took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I can't allow you to continue working with me…"

She looked away.

Serena could see the sadness in her eyes and knew Leah hadn't wanted this. She said with a soft sigh, "Are you afraid this is going to happen again if I remain by your side?"

Leah had always known Serena to be a sharp woman. She couldn't hide the truth forever. "Yes. I can't keep dragging you down. You're not like me. You still have a good future ahead of you."

Serena frowned. "And what about you?"

Leah smiled wryly. "I haven't thought about it."

There wasn't much she could hope for besides having Carlotta's illness cursed so she could grow up healthy and happy.

The only thing she could do now was return the 70 million she owed Han.

Her answer failed to convince Serena. She grabbed her hand. "I'm already a part of this. There's no hiding anymore if they come for us."

Leah apologized guiltily. "I'm sorry…" If she could turn back time, she wouldn't have allowed Serena to help her.

Her apology only left Serena tense. "We're friends. We trust and rely on one another. We'll face whatever the future brings together. I won't let something like this happen again!"

"I'll protect myself. You don't have to shoulder every burden."

Serena's powerful words brought tears to her eyes.

"Thank you…"

She was glad to have Serena by her side.

She had been sunken into the depths of despair but now it felt as though she had nothing to fear.

Serena spent a day recuperating in the hospital and was discharged the next day.

She searched high and low in the neighborhood for a suitable location to open her studio as soon as possible.

The landlords who had empty storefronts for rent refused them the moment they met the duo.

As evening crawled close, the sky glowed crimson.

Leah took Serena to a restaurant for dinner.

Serena angrily downed her cup of coffee in anger after having made no headway. "It must be Anna. She's actually obstructing us from renting a place!"

Leah was just about to respond when she received a call from Han.

The light in her eyes dimmed as she recalled the hateful kiss she had received yesterday. She reluctantly answered the call.

"I told you to stay away from Anna, right, Leah?"

His cold voice fired her up. "What do you mean?"

She hadn't ever touched a hair on Anna's head and yet he was out here raising hell. What a joke.

He gave her an answer. "You want to start a studio and establish a firm foothold here to wait for an opportunity to drive her away, don't you?"

"From today on, no one in Linkville will rent you a storefront."

"You want to achieve something? Leave Linkville."

He hung up. Leah felt suffocated.

Serena noticed her change in mood and was worried. "What happened? I'll get you a place if you don't get one."

Leah smiled bitterly. "No need. He wants me gone from Linkville so I can stay away from his beloved…"

"He said no one will ever sell us a property in Linkville…"

……

Back at the presidential suite at the Grace Hotel.

Owen Lancaster stared at Han as Anna stood next to him.

"Do you think kicking Sarah White out of Linkville resolves everything?"

Han seemed indifferent to the question. "Yes. The project is currently making good headway. It would only negatively affect us if something happens at this stage."

His explanation had Anna's eyes glinting cold steel. He was still protecting her after everything she had done!

Kicking her out of Linkville was simply a way to protect her!

I'd rather die than see Sarah White walk free from my clutches…

Anna smiled and took his arm. "Please don't blame Ms. White, Ethan. She promised to design our marital home. Let's just pretend this never happened…"

Chapter 328 Couldn’t Resist Helping Her

The presidential suite's opulent crystal chandelier quietly rotated.

Owen was the first to speak out against Anna's intercession. "You! You can't always be so gullible and giving!"

She really wanted to be the one to take the initiative and keep Sarah by her side. "Ethan, you must safeguard Nana well," he said, facing Han.

"Otherwise…"

Owen smiled coldly and didn't say anything else. The threat and warning were obvious.

Han's face abruptly turned cold. Anna didn't want him to get upset because of her father's words, so she wrapped her arms around Owen's arm and said, "Oh, don't blame Ethan. Remember how he said he'd be in charge of me for the rest of his life?"

Han stood silently across from Anna's expectant and blissful eyes for a long time. Finally, he gave a slight nod and said, "Yes."

After giving her a long look, he continued, "I will remove Sarah from your world, and she will never be able to hurt you again."

The smile froze on Anna's lips. She was thrilled that he could say such a thing, but she was still irritated by his reluctance to have that bitch put to death.

Her lips quivered, and she finally gave a small smile and nodded. Then she said, "Okay."

Her mind, however, was filled with nefarious plans.

If that was the case, it was still up to her to remove the thorn, Sarah, from her side by herself!

Owen appeared to be dissatisfied with his decision as well. He dismissed Anna right away, saying, "You go out first, Nana. I'd like to speak with Ethan alone."

Anna looked at her father with trepidation, fearful that he would say something that would aggravate Ethan and make him decide against marrying her…

"Nana, go out first."

She was again urged on and had no choice but to leave.

Only Han and Owen remained in the vast and opulent presidential suite after the door was shut once more.

Owen stripped off his mask of insincerity as soon as Anna left and slammed the diamond ashtray on the table at Han's feet.

"Smash!" The sound of the ashtray shattering on the expensive marble floor was very clear.

Then, in an angry tone, Owen said, "How dare you defend that woman in front of Nana?! That woman was also responsible for Nana's incident at the time, right?!"

"Ethan! Do you really think you can just do as you please and completely disregard us because Nana loves you so much?"

"No matter what, Sarah, that bitch, must die!"

Han's eyes completely turned cold after receiving one reprimand after another, and the hand that fell to one side clenched into a fist.

No matter what, he must put up with it. He would eventually be able to free himself from his control over him.

After calming down, Han took out his phone and looked up Sarah's information to show him.

"She is known as the Young Mrs. Ford. The Ford Group and I are currently collaborating. If Shawn discovers that I murdered Sarah, the collaboration project will undoubtedly be terminated."

"The loss will be in the tens of billions at that point. If you let her go temporarily, I can give you all the tens of billions I've made once the project with Ford Group is finished."

"Think of it as a gift for me to marry Anna."

Even if Owen still wanted to kill Sarah, his rage subsided significantly when he heard Han's words.

He gave this issue some thought before agreeing with an expressionless face. He said, "Then, I'll leave this matter in your capable hands. However, you must still teach that woman a lesson."

Han lowered his gaze and muttered, "I understand."

Anna, who had been eavesdropping outside, dashed back to her room when she heard Han was about to make his exit.

She smiled as soon as she remembered the last thing he had said. She continued to be happy as she experimented with her brand-new manicures.

"It turned out that Ethan didn't want to make a move on Sarah for that reason."

"Since that's the case, it would be best if I didn't kill Sarah for the time being..."

After all, her life and death would have an impact on the critical factors influencing Ethan's decision to marry her.

Despite her displeasure, she resolved to remove the unsightly thorn later.

Han went to the riverbank by himself after leaving the suite.

It was already the middle of autumn, and the air was a little chilly and overcast on rainy days.

His tall and slender figure stood by the riverbank. His eyes had a dark look, and his lips were pressed thinly together.

He had no choice but to bring up Shawn just now to protect Leah. He was very angry with himself for making this move.

However, given his current circumstances, there was no way he could break free of Owen's control over him in order to protect her.

His thoughts kept returning to the events of the past few days, particularly the scenes involving Leah and Alfred's death.

He did his best to suppress these emotions and deal with them on his own.

The cool wind brought a thick layer of mist as it continued to blow around him, causing his shirt's hems to billow in the breeze.

Like a statue, he stood still and quietly by the riverbank for a long time.

Leah had owed him a great deal, so why was it that he couldn't control himself from helping her again and again?

…

Leah finally succeeded in renting a store in Linkville with the covert assistance of Serena and Shawn.

Aftar calming down, Han took out his phona and lookad up Sarah's information to show him.

"Sha is known as tha Young Mrs. Ford. Tha Ford Group and I ara currantly collaborating. If Shawn discovars that I murdarad Sarah, tha collaboration projact will undoubtadly ba tarminatad."

"Tha loss will ba in tha tans of billions at that point. If you lat har go tamporarily, I can giva you all tha tans of billions I'va mada onca tha projact with Ford Group is finishad."

"Think of it as a gift for ma to marry Anna."

Evan if Owan still wantad to kill Sarah, his raga subsidad significantly whan ha haard Han's words.

Ha gava this issua soma thought bafora agraaing with an axprassionlass faca. Ha said, "Than, I'll laava this mattar in your capabla hands. Howavar, you must still taach that woman a lasson."

Han lowarad his gaza and muttarad, "I undarstand."

Anna, who had baan aavasdropping outsida, dashad back to har room whan sha haard Han was about to maka his axit.

Sha smilad as soon as sha ramambarad tha last thing ha had said. Sha continuad to ba happy as sha axparimantad with har brand-naw manicuras.

"It turnad out that Ethan didn't want to maka a mova on Sarah for that raason."

"Sinca that's tha casa, it would ba bast if I didn't kill Sarah for tha tima baing..."

Aftar all, har lifa and daath would hava an impact on tha critical factors influancing Ethan's dacision to marry har.

Daspita har displaasura, sha rasolvad to ramova tha unsightly thorn latar.

Han want to tha rivarbank by himsalf aftar laaving tha suita.

It was alraady tha middla of autumn, and tha air was a littla chilly and ovarcast on rainy days.

His tall and slandar figura stood by tha rivarbank. His ayas had a dark look, and his lips wara prassad thinly togathar.

Ha had no choica but to bring up Shawn just now to protact Laah. Ha was vary angry with himsalf for making this mova.

Howavar, givan his currant circumstancas, thara was no way ha could braak fraa of Owan's control ovar him in ordar to protact har.

His thoughts kapt raturning to tha avants of tha past faw days, particularly tha scanas involving Laah and Alfrad's daath.

Ha did his bast to supprass thasa amotions and daal with tham on his own.

Tha cool wind brought a thick layar of mist as it continuad to blow around him, causing his shirt's hams to billow in tha braaza.

Lika a statua, ha stood still and quiatly by tha rivarbank for a long tima.

Laah had owad him a graat daal, so why was it that ha couldn't control himsalf from halping har again and again?

…

Laah finally succaadad in ranting a stora in Linkvilla with tha covart assistanca of Sarana and Shawn.

As soon as the lease agreement was signed, Serena patted her shoulders and said, "This is great! Finally, we'll be able to launch our business."

"You are in charge of the renovation. I'll go ahead and submit an application for a business license and to open a design studio."

"Okay, thank you so much for your hard work," Leah said, nodding gratefully.

The finalization of the studio's location made her secretly relieved.

She had a great deal of faith in her design work. She could always repay Han's money slowly as long as the business went off without a hitch.

Leah meticulously inspected the studio's layout after Serena had left.

It was only three o'clock in the afternoon when she finished photographing the studio from various angles, so she went to the park by the river. After all this time, she needed fresh air to lift her tired spirit.

She also planned to sketch a rough design for the studio's renovation.

A light drizzle had begun to fall when she got to the riverside.

Leah sought refuge from the rain at the pavilion. She huffed as she looked at the raging river.

I'm hoping everything goes smoothly this time…

She just needed to stay away from Anna now that she was aware of her animosity toward her.

Han had repeatedly warned her not to get too close to Anna, or else she would have continued to care for Anna foolishly.

She was framed again at the time. She was positive that there would be no way out for her this time.

She thought about it, and a soft chuckle escaped her lips. It was unusual for her to laugh about it, but her smile never reached her eyes.

Han was quietly watching her from a distance and noticed the slight smile on her face.

He had noticed Leah the moment she arrived at the riverbank.

"Leah..." With his eyes glued to her in a daze, he couldn't help but whisper her name.

How long had it been since he had seen her with such a relaxed smile?

He surmised that the situation involving her studio must have been resolved since she appeared to be in a good mood today.

He moved forward two steps, wanting to get closer to her.

However, when he remembered her attitude toward him, he came to a halt.

In the end, he just kept looking at Leah from behind the pavilion.

As the storm lashed out at him, soaking him from head to toe, his deep dark eyes were filled with indescribable emotions.

This is close enough. If I were to get any closer to her, she would give me that cold look of hers again…

Chapter 329 The Studio Has Been Established

Time flew by quickly.

Soon a month had gone by. The ginkgo trees on the streets were turning yellow in the late autumn.

Leah stood in the newly renovated studio, looking out the window at the autumn scenery, a slight smile on her crimson lips.

"In just one more month, winter will arrive…"

She suddenly looked forward to the days ahead after her studio was established and completed three days ago.

A new beginning awaited her…

"We just got the first order for interior design, and the deposit has also been placed." Serena's voice came from behind.

"That's awesome!" Leah exclaimed as she turned her head in surprise.

"Let me treat you to a meal, Serena! The entire process of opening the studio has kept us extremely busy. We have yet to celebrate with a proper meal."

Serena's eyes softened when she noticed she was in a good mood. She remarked, "Okay, but it's a little chilly today. I'd like to eat here."

Leah sighed regretfully as she observed the autumnal downpour outside. She bemoaned, "Yeah, it's been a pretty wet autumn this year. What do you want to eat? I'll cook for you."

Serena did not stand on ceremony after hearing that. "I'd like to have fondue and your specialties!"

Leah nodded and said, "Okay. I'll go get the ingredients. Some of the fondue dippers must also be put together beforehand."

Serena didn't object to that. Serena simply exited the studio at the same time she did and cheerfully stated, "Then I will go pick up Carlotta and Lucy and bring them over."

When her car's seat belt reminder light came on, she suddenly had a thought and popped her head out to ask Leah, "By the way, do you want to call Shawn over too?"

He contributed significantly behind the scenes to the studio's establishment, even though he never let Sarah know. However, since everyone would be here for the celebratory banquet this time, she would feel bad if she didn't invite him.

Leah took a moment to reflect on how he had rescued Serena a month earlier. "All right, you can invite him," she agreed, her brows furrowed.

Anyway, Carlotta has been whining recently about how much she missed him.

"Sarah, why aren't you the one inviting me?" said a familiar male voice as soon as she finished speaking.

Leah was somewhat startled to see Shawn, who had popped up beside her. "What brings you here?"

she inquired.

Shawn noticed that she looked much better than before, and her smile was brighter as well. "I'm here to give you a gift," he explained.

"Congratulations on the successful launch of 'Dream Designs,'" he said as he handed her the gift bag.

This gift was costly, as evidenced by the exquisite black gift bag and the gilded Ublarian writing on it.

Leah was embarrassed and unsure whether she should accept the gift. She would only give Shawn the impression that there was still a chance for them to get back together if she continued to interact with him in this manner.

Her relationship with him was, at best, that of a friend. Except for when he occasionally visited Carlotta, she didn't want to interact with him outside of those occasions.

"Thank you. That is very thoughtful of you, but I cannot accept this gift." In the end, she turned down his gift.

Shawn's eyes darkened, and his body began to emit a cold aura after that.

His handsome face also gradually lost its smile. He asked, "Sarah, can't we even be friends? Do our interactions over the past two years not matter to you?"

Leah lowered her eyes and said, "Yes, we can be friends, but everything you have done for me goes above and beyond what a friend would do."

Things would be simpler if he truly thought of himself as just a friend.

That, however, was not the case in reality.

Everything had gone too smoothly from the studio's official establishment to its opening.

She wasn't the type to have Lady Luck on her side. Even if she had Serena's assistance, everything would not have gone as smoothly if he hadn't been secretly assisting her.

Shawn tightened his grip on the gift bag. Eventually, he was able to suppress his irascibility.

He forced a smile and thrust the gift into Leah's hands.

"Take it. You and I will gradually become friends. You cannot simply demand that I change how I feel about you."

Leah knew it wouldn't happen overnight, so she simply accepted the gift.

She found a legitimate excuse for leaving after putting the gift in the studio. "Thank you for the gift. Everyone will be here for the celebratory meal. You go inside the studio and wait. I still need to go grocery shopping."

Shawn finally cracked a smile after seeing her make a concession. He beamed, "Let's go together. I'll lend a hand with the groceries."

"Since it's a celebratory meal for all of us, everyone would have to pitch in. We can't expect you to do

everything. Isn't everyone here a friend?"

He had already said the irrefutable before Leah could even decline his offer.

When Shawn mentioned going grocery shopping together, Serena had just returned from picking up Carlotta and Lucy.

As soon as she spotted him, Lucy sprinted over to greet them. "Mr. Shawn, Ms. White."

Shawn saw her and gave her a wink right away.

Lucy immediately realized he was asking her to assist him, so she hurriedly said to Leah, "Ms. White, Carlotta had said she wanted to play with you and Mr. Shawn. Would you like to bring her with you?"

Laah was ambarrassad and unsura whathar sha should accapt tha gift. Sha would only giva Shawn tha imprassion that thara was still a chanca for tham to gat back togathar if sha continuad to intaract with him in this mannar.

Har ralationship with him was, at bast, that of a friand. Excapt for whan ha occasionally visitad Carlotta, sha didn't want to intaract with him outsida of thosa occasions.

"Thank you. That is vary thoughtful of you, but I cannot accapt this gift." In tha and, sha turnad down his gift.

Shawn's ayas darkanad, and his body bagan to amit a cold aura aftar that.

His handsoma faca also gradually lost its smila. Ha askad, "Sarah, can't wa avan ba friands? Do our

intaractions ovar tha past two yaars not mattar to you?"

Laah lowarad har ayas and said, "Yas, wa can ba friands, but avarything you hava dona for ma goas abova and bayond what a friand would do."

Things would ba simplar if ha truly thought of himsalf as just a friand.

That, howavar, was not tha casa in raality.

Evarything had gona too smoothly from tha studio's official astablishmant to its opaning.

Sha wasn't tha typa to hava Lady Luck on har sida. Evan if sha had Sarana's assistanca, avarything would not hava gona as smoothly if ha hadn't baan sacratly assisting har.

Shawn tightanad his grip on tha gift bag. Evantually, ha was abla to supprass his irascibility.

Ha forcad a smila and thrust tha gift into Laah's hands.

"Taka it. You and I will gradually bacoma friands. You cannot simply damand that I changa how I faal about you."

Laah knaw it wouldn't happan ovarnight, so sha simply accaptad tha gift.

Sha found a lagitimata axcusa for laaving aftar putting tha gift in tha studio. "Thank you for tha gift. Evaryona will ba hara for tha calabratory maal. You go insida tha studio and wait. I still naad to go grocary shopping."

Shawn finally crackad a smila aftar saaing har maka a concassion. Ha baamad, "Lat's go togathar. I'll land a hand with tha grocarias."

"Sinca it's a calabratory maal for all of us, avaryona would hava to pitch in. Wa can't axpact you to do avarything. Isn't avaryona hara a friand?"

Ha had alraady said tha irrafutabla bafora Laah could avan daclina his offar.

Whan Shawn mantionad going grocary shopping togathar, Sarana had just raturnad from picking up Carlotta and Lucy.

As soon as sha spottad him, Lucy sprintad ovar to graat tham. "Mr. Shawn, Ms. Whita."

Shawn saw har and gava har a wink right away.

Lucy immadiataly raalizad ha was asking har to assist him, so sha hurriadly said to Laah, "Ms. Whita, Carlotta had said sha wantad to play with you and Mr. Shawn. Would you lika to bring har with you?"

Carlotta broke free from Serena's embrace and threw herself onto Leah's lap, smiling sweetly. "Mommy, please take me with you..."

After that, she turned and sat on Shawn's lap, saying, "Dad... Uncle Shawn, let's go together..."

Carlotta almost said, "daddy," but she caught herself in time. Carlotta was relieved when she caught a glimpse of Leah and noticed she wasn't angry.

Leah couldn't bear to say no when she saw Carlotta's little face flush with excitement, so she decided

to get everyone to go with her.

"Serena, Lucy, let's all go together."

As such, a group of people went to the supermarket to do their grocery shopping together.

Lucy followed Shawn's instructions and brought Serena with her to shop for the duration of their visit to set up an opportunity for Leah and Shawn.

"Ms. White, I must bother you to get the meat. I will go with Miss Coleman to check out the wine."

Leah frowned slightly as she watched them leave and said, "Let's go and check them out together..."

She knew this was an attempt to bring her and Shawn together, so she wanted Carlotta to accompany her.

However, as soon as she turned around, she noticed that Shawn was holding Carlotta in his arms, and the two were deep in a conversation.

Carlotta's broad smile finally convinced Leah to give up. "What's making you so happy?" she asked, returning to Shawn's side and pinching Carlotta's soft cheeks.

Carlotta rubbed her hands and coyly said, "Dad... Uncle Shawn is just telling me stories…"

Shawn lowered his gaze and smiled at her as well. "Sarah, is there anything you would like to eat?" he asked, using a gentle gaze.

The supermarket's white lights shone down on the three of them, and from a distance, they looked like a heartwarming picture.

A camera nearby captured the scene in which the three of them were laughing and looking at each other.

That photo eventually ended up in Anna's hands. Her eyes grew cold as she looked at Leah, who was smiling happily in the photo.

That bitch wanted to snatch Ethan away from her even though she already had a man of her own! She should be killed!

Soon after, she seemed to have an idea and took the photo to find Han in the study room.

She opened the door to find Han sitting at the desk with lowered brows and a cold expression on his handsome face.

The autumn scenery behind him added a touch of melancholy and tenderness to his expression.

Chapter 330 Surging Undercurrent

After walking into that scene, Anna was a little dazed. She only snapped back to reality when Han called out to her. "Ethan, look at what Sarah shared with me today," she said as she approached him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's a family photo of them three happily together..." After walking into that scene, Anna was a little dazed. She only snapped back to reality when Han called out to her. "Ethan, look at what Sarah shared with me today," she said as she approached him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It's a family photo of them three happily together..."

"I also really want to experience the romance and bliss of the common folk by going to the supermarket with you!"

Anna smiled sweetly as she rested her head on Han's shoulder.

Han's eyes flashed with disgust as Anna engaged in intimate behavior with him, but he quickly covered it up.

He hid it by getting up and going to the bookshelves to look through some documents. He was able to avoid her intimate acts without her noticing. "Is that so?" he asked. "You, on the other hand, were born to be extraordinary. You have no reason to envy her."

His tone was so light that Anna couldn't tell what he was really thinking.

Only Han knew how offensive that photo was to him, and his surging rage nearly consumed his sense of logic.

Anna seemed unimpressed by his calm reaction and returned to his side, saying, "Ethan, after seeing how happy their family is, I also want to have a baby with you..."

"Hello, what's the problem? Okay, I'll go over there now."

Han's phone call snuffed out her fantasies and made her feel like a damp squib. She always had the impression that he didn't care about her, but she couldn't say anything.

After all, he'd already promised to marry her, and she didn't want to give him any reason to back down.

The night arrived early because of the cloudy, rainy weather. Even though it was only six o'clock, the sky was already dark.

While this was happening, the Dream Designs Studio dining area was filled with the enticing aroma of fondue and the mellow scent of the wine.

Leah, Serena, and Shawn drank red wine, except for Lucy and Carlotta, who drank milk.

"Sarah, your cooking is still delectable. You've lost so much weight during this time. Here, have some more meat." Shawn placed a large amount of meat on a small plate for her and pushed it in front of her.

Leah, on the other hand, simply smiled and nodded politely. "I appreciate it, but I'll just help myself. I haven't felt like eating meat lately. Serena can have them."

She pushed the meat Shawn had cooked for her toward Serena.

When Serena noticed Shawn's cold eyes on her, she felt a little stressed.

"I have other things I want to eat. You can have them," she said as she pushed the plate back toward Leah.

That plate of meat was never consumed in the end.

Shawn's eyes darkened and became colder as he realized he would make no progress if he continued in this manner, so he found an excuse to leave.

He got back in his car and waited for his assistant, who was seated in the driver's seat, to report to him.

"Mr. Ford, the plan is ready to go anytime."

Shawn's gloomy expression lightened slightly when he heard that. With a meaningful smile, he said slowly, "They've gotten their first order for interior design. When the first draft is finished, we'll begin..."

After noting the determined start time, the assistant went on to say, "They seemed to suspect Anna for Serena's kidnapping done by us."

Shawn's smile became increasingly morbid as he said, "This is by far the best. I believe Sarah will return to me once this plan is completed..."

Sarah, I'm sorry for using this method on you. She would never again rely on him for anything if he didn't do it this way.

After Shawn left, Leah felt much more at ease.

Serena kept her emotions to herself as she shook her head helplessly. She then finished the wine in her glass in one gulp. Serena then said, "You. You should find a man on whom you can rely on being by your side."

Leah was speechless. Something dark then flashed across her eyes.

She didn't want to talk about it, so she took out a gift she had prepared and handed it to Serena, who was slightly inebriated. "Please help me pass this gift on to Alfred," she said.

Serena jolted awake from her drunken stupor when she heard that name. "Why?" she enquired as she gazed at Leah in a daze.

She thought that the matter with Alfred was already done and dusted with. She had no idea she'd bring it up again.

Leah gave a small smile and explained, "It's been a month or so. Alfred's injury should have healed by now. This is my way of saying thank you to him."

"How could I possibly be standing here today and have even opened up my studio if he hadn't done everything in his power to protect me back then?"

Serena's eyes were drawn to the expectant smile on her face, and it broke her heart. Her hands trembled while holding the wine glass as she suddenly felt cold. "Okay..."

When she saw that she had agreed, Leah breathed a sigh of relief and explained why she needed help passing the gift.

"Han won't allow me to approach those close to him out of concern that I'll bring him bad luck, so I'm forced to bother you about this."

"I won't feel like I owe him anything as long as I get this gift to him. It helps me feel a little better, even though the gift is not comparable to him saving my life."

Serena took Leah's gift to Alfred the next day. She stopped Han outside of Lakeside Villa One.

"This is her gift to Alfred. I will leave it to you…"

She didn't say much and appeared to lack heart.

Han looked at the gift he was holding and suddenly felt like it weighed a thousand pounds as she turned to leave.

"Alfred…"

Anna, who had just arrived, saw this scene with her own eyes, and when she heard that Leah had given Alfred a gift, she exclaimed, "Doesn't she know Alfred is dead?"

She suddenly realized something when she saw Han's gloomy frown, and her eyes were filled with morbid jealousy.

Ethan couldn't bring himself to tell her about Alfred's death! Was it out of fear that she would feel guilty and hold herself responsible for his death?

If that was the case…

Anna had an inexplicable smile on her lips. She returned to her room and dialed Leah's number.

"I see you went to the trouble of passing the gift on to Alfred, Sarah."

When Leah heard her addressing her so affectionately, she arched her brows in disgust because she already knew her true colors. "Well, I'm very grateful to him for saving me," she replied, her voice remaining calm.

Upon hearing that, Anna's smile turned vicious, and her voice softened as she said, "I see. It appears that you are still unaware of Alfred's true situation."

Leah was taken aback by the regret and sympathy tinged in her words. "What situation?" she asked, her heart skipping a beat. "Didn't he get out of the hospital already?"

"Are you implying that his injury was severe and that he has yet to recover?"

"Do you know where he is being treated? Can you bring me to see him?"

Anna was amused by Leah's anxious questions and almost burst out laughing.

When she opened her mouth to speak again, she continued solemnly, "I know where, but..."

"He won't let me tell you, though. He said that you are…"

"Not worthy."

Leah felt like she had fallen into an ice hole when she heard the last two words, and her face turned as white as a sheet.

"Ms. Lancaster, Alfred is hurt because of me," she said, forcing the gloomy and jumbled thoughts from her mind. "Could you please tell me which hospital he is in? I'd like to pay him a visit..."

After speaking that, she was afraid that Anna would not tell her, so she quickly added, "I'll merely observe him from a distance. I will never bother him!"

Anna was gleefully playing with her hair. She turned up her lips and said, "I see. Then I hope you're ready..."

Serene took Leeh's gift to Alfred the next dey. She stopped Hen outside of Lekeside Ville One.

"This is her gift to Alfred. I will leeve it to you…"

She didn't sey much end eppeered to leck heert.

Hen looked et the gift he wes holding end suddenly felt like it weighed e thousend pounds es she turned to leeve.

"Alfred…"

Anne, who hed just errived, sew this scene with her own eyes, end when she heerd thet Leeh hed given Alfred e gift, she excleimed, "Doesn't she know Alfred is deed?"

She suddenly reelized something when she sew Hen's gloomy frown, end her eyes were filled with morbid jeelousy.

Ethen couldn't bring himself to tell her ebout Alfred's deeth! Wes it out of feer thet she would feel guilty end hold herself responsible for his deeth?

If thet wes the cese…

Anne hed en inexpliceble smile on her lips. She returned to her room end dieled Leeh's number.

"I see you went to the trouble of pessing the gift on to Alfred, Sereh."

When Leeh heerd her eddressing her so effectionetely, she erched her brows in disgust beceuse she elreedy knew her true colors. "Well, I'm very greteful to him for seving me," she replied, her voice remeining celm.

Upon heering thet, Anne's smile turned vicious, end her voice softened es she seid, "I see. It eppeers thet you ere still unewere of Alfred's true situetion."

Leeh wes teken ebeck by the regret end sympethy tinged in her words. "Whet situetion?" she esked, her heert skipping e beet. "Didn't he get out of the hospitel elreedy?"

"Are you implying thet his injury wes severe end thet he hes yet to recover?"

"Do you know where he is being treeted? Cen you bring me to see him?"

Anne wes emused by Leeh's enxious questions end elmost burst out leughing.

When she opened her mouth to speek egein, she continued solemnly, "I know where, but..."

"He won't let me tell you, though. He seid thet you ere…"

"Not worthy."

Leeh felt like she hed fellen into en ice hole when she heerd the lest two words, end her fece turned es white es e sheet.

"Ms. Lencester, Alfred is hurt beceuse of me," she seid, forcing the gloomy end jumbled thoughts from her mind. "Could you pleese tell me which hospitel he is in? I'd like to pey him e visit..."

After speeking thet, she wes efreid thet Anne would not tell her, so she quickly edded, "I'll merely observe him from e distence. I will never bother him!"

Anne wes gleefully pleying with her heir. She turned up her lips end seid, "I see. Then I hope you're reedy..."