Ch. 36..40: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 36-40

Chapter 36

Sarah froze as she heard her name being called, while she also felt a strong gaze fixed onto her.

It was no one other than Han Howard.

Since their last encounter, Han was very curious about Leah’s identity.

Numerous thoughts flashed through Leah’s mind as she clenched her hands tightly.

She knew that she could not hide from Han for her entire life.

“Since the lady likes it, and her husband is willing to pay a higher price, I think you should give it up, Sasha.” Leah slowly turned around and answered while showing an awkward smile.

She felt her heart clench up a little when she said “her husband.”.

The man, who was standing not more than ten steps away, was once her lover.

“Whatever. If my sister said so, I’ll give it up.” Sasha pouted. Enough was enough.

Obviously, she did not want to push it any further as Jane might feel disappointed in her. If that happened, the loss would have outweighed the gain of obtaining the dress.

“But Sarah, you haven’t found your dress yet. Don’t you want to look around first?” Sasha asked.

Leah took a deep breath, trying her best to ignore Han’s eyes on her. “Let’s go to another shop instead. I’ve walked around the shop just now, I don’t think they have a dress that fits me,” she replied calmly.

“Really?” Sasha smiled and suddenly walked to the side, picking up a light blue dress,”But I think this dress fits you! The color compliments your skin too, so I’m sure you’ll be very pretty wearing it,” she complimented.

Molly, who was looking at the dresses on the side, suddenly lifted her head and glanced at Leah. She probably overheard Sasha’s compliment or noticed Han was focusing his gaze on Leah.

Her quick glance immediately turned into a fixed gaze.

That face… Molly thought as she clutched her hands tighter.

She remembered her face on Han’s table back in the office. She was the woman Han was investigating.

Why is he investigating her?

Sarah was wearing a plain shirt and a pair of jeans. Her facial features were delicate, almost similar to Jane who was standing in front of her. Especially those black eyes that looked like obsidian.

Surprisingly… She somewhat looked like that dead woman.

Molly instantly felt a chill running down her spine, and somehow felt as if her heart was clenched by a pair of hands.

“Han,” she suddenly spoke.

Han looked down, “Hmm?” he simply responded.

“Do you think this dress suits me?” Molly asked.

Han glanced at the dress that she was holding, “If you like it, let’s buy it,” he replied.

Molly felt relieved after hearing his response.

It’s alright. So what if they look alike? The one Han loves is me.

“Great!” She smiled happily and chirped, “I’ll just buy this straight away then. Excuse me, please wrap this dress up for me,” she ordered one of the attendants at the side.

In the meantime, Leah tried on the blue dress.

Like what Sasha said, it was indeed beautiful. As her skin tone was pale, the light blue color really complimented her skin like white clouds in the blue sky.

“You looked beautiful!” Sasha complimented.

Han took a quick glance at Leah.

Hmm, she does look pretty.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps could be heard from outside.

Immediately after, the glass door of the store swung open, and a man with a dagger in his hand and blood on his body burst in while panting heavily.

“Ahhh!”

The sales clerks shrieked and quickly fled.

Molly was also shocked. Luckily for her, Han pulled her hand and shielded her.

The fugitive was obviously looking for hostages.

He quickly scanned around the shop and finally fixed on Leah and the others.

The three frail-looking women were his best choice.

There and then, the fugitive locked onto his target and ran towards them. Leah was the first to react and pushed Sasha and Jane to the side, “Careful!” she screamed.

At that moment, the fugitive grabbed onto Leah with his hands like a pair of eagle talons. The pale white dagger was pointed at her neck and a line of blood trickled down her neck without notice.

Leah was now trembling, and her face promptly turned pale.

In the meantime, three armed men rushed into the store. Seeing that the fugitive held Leah as a hostage, they dared not make another move.

“What happened?” Han walked towards the armed men and asked.

“This man is involved in numerous robberies. We’ve been spying on him for the past two days but accidentally gave him the chance to escape!” They quickly responded.

“Let me go now, or I’m bringing this woman with me!” The fugitive yelled breathlessly.

Jane was so scared that she burst into tears, “Let that man go! Don’t let him hurt Sarah!” she pleaded.

“But we’ve been searching for him for days. If we let him go now, how are we going to explain this to our superior?” The armed men disagreed and remained in their stances.

“Shut up! I’m giving you a minute to think about it! I’ll kill this woman and myself if you don’t get out of my way!” The bandit threatened as he pushed the dagger further in.

Leah cried out in pain and clenched her teeth.

She felt very scared and was still trembling.

However, she knew that she had to be calm in order to find a way out of this situation.

“We’re not letting you go.” All of a sudden, Leah heard a firm voice.

She looked up in disbelief.

Han had a decisive look on his face and stared at the fugitive as if he was looking at a cold corpse.

Even the fugitive thought he misheard Han. “What did you say?” he asked again.

Han’s face showed no changes, “If we let you go, that means more people are going to be hurt. In that case, why not sacrifice one to save the majority?” he pointed out coldly.

“Han Howard! What did you just say? That’s my daughter!” Jane screamed at him.

“Mrs White, you still have another daughter,” Han looked at Leah with cold eyes and continued on, “No one would care for the death of an unknown woman.”

“Shut it!” The fugitive was panicking now, and the dagger started to tremble in his hands as he ordered, “Don’t you care about this woman’s life?” he asked while trying to remain calm.

“Why should I care about her?” Han simply replied.

His words were getting colder and meaner.

Leah stared at Han, and she felt tears slowly building up in her eyes.

When Leah was held hostage by the fugitive, she did not cry. Yet, she felt like crying after hearing what Han said.

She had loved him for ten years. She felt her heart tearing apart, and the gaping hole throbbed with pain.

Han seemed to notice something. He glanced at her and was slightly stunned.

He felt something weird stirring up in his heart.

Leah could not handle it anymore. She felt something snap in her brain. As energy drained from her body, she swayed a little and fell on the floor.

The moment she lost consciousness, what she felt was not the painful feeling of death, but… a pair of strong and warm arms wrapping onto her and clutching her to a firm chest.

Chapter 37

“Sarah… Sarah?” Leah heard a soft voice calling to her in her trance.

She tried her best to slowly open her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Jane’s worried gaze. “You’re finally awake, Sarah. You almost scared me to death,” she sighed in relief.

Leah looked around her surroundings, and she saw white walls and advanced medical instruments.

She chuckled a little. Within half a year, the number of times she went to the hospital was almost more than that in the previous ten years.

However, she remembered she was supposed to be killed by the fugitive.

She also remembered Han’s cold gaze before she blacked out.

“How was I saved?” Leah asked in a hoarse voice.

“Well, you see, it seems that we have mistaken Han. It’s not that he wanted you to die, but he wanted to distract the fugitive and catch him off guard. It’s really all thanks to Han that you’re alive,” Jane quickly explained to Leah.

After hearing that, Leah was stunned for a while.

In the end, she was still saved by Han.

She clutched her hands under the sheets. She knew that Han saved her since Jane was at the scene too.

If he had known that I’m Leah…

Meanwhile, in the doctor’s office, Han, who had gotten news that Leah was fine, was getting ready to leave. However, the doctor stopped him.

“Is that lady your wife?” The doctor asked Han with a serious tone.

“No…” Han slightly frowned and was just about to explain before the doctor interrupted.

“Her body is quite fragile and weak now. Seems like she had a miscarriage before and was traumatised. Be sure to pay attention to her condition from now on. Give her some supplements and time to rest, or else it will be hard for her to recover again,” the doctor continued.

Upon hearing the doctor’s words, Han’s words were stuck in his throat.

Miscarriage? You’re telling me that Sarah White had a miscarriage?

Even though Ben was unable to find her past records, the last thing he would expect was that she had a history of miscarriage.

A thought quickly flashed through Han’s mind.

“When did she have a miscarriage?” he promptly asked the doctor.

The doctor looked at him, confused. “Around half a year ago, it seems. Why? Are you not aware of this either?” the doctor replied.

Han’s expression turned gloomy after learning that.

Half a year ago, that woman also had a miscarriage.

……

Jane fed Leah some porridge and peeled an orange for her.

A nurse walked in, “Mrs White, the doctor would like you to sign the patient’s medical record please,” she said politely.

“Of course,” Jane responded and walked out of the room.

Soon after, the door swung open again.

Leah had not finished swallowing the orange slice she was eating. When she lifted her head and saw Han’s cold gaze, she almost choked on the orange.

“Why… Why are you here?” Leah stuttered as she subconsciously gripped onto the blanket.

“Are you scared of me?” Han calmly asked while looking at her.

“Of course not, it’s just a misunderstanding,” Leah awkwardly smiled as she replied.

If there was a mirror in front of her, she knew how awkward her face must have looked like right now.

“The doctor said you had a miscarriage half a year ago.” Han ignored her reply and went straight to the point.

Leah’s face instantly turned pale.

Her hands under the sheet were clutching tightly and had started sweating.

Han could see that she was panicking. He sat down in front of her and calmly stared at her with a trace of pressurizing her.

“I didn’t know you were married,” he pressed on.

Leah knew she couldn’t hesitate any longer.

She took a deep breath, “Mr. Howard, are you here to check on my injuries? I was an orphan, so of course I had a gloomy past. And my miscarriage… we’re all adults now, is that surprising to you?” She tried her best to remain calm as she replied.

Han was silent for a while before grinning lightly.

“Indeed, it’s not something odd, but…” Han responded and changed the conversation topic, “Very coincidentally, there was this woman that I hated who also had a miscarriage around half a year ago.”

Leah stared back at him, calmly listening to what he was saying. Deep down, she was panicking.

“What happened to her then?” She asked.

“Why are you curious to find out?” Han responded cunningly.

Leah did not know whether Han knew what she was thinking.

However, she had to continue on, “No, but knowing what you’re able to do, I’m sure people that you hate must’ve met a terrible end,” Leah answered.

“She’s dead,” Han said.

Leah went silent for a moment. “If she’s already dead, why are you still talking about her then?” She looked at Han and inquired.

Han suddenly chuckled and grinned. “So what if she’s dead? Even if she dies, she could never repay what she had owed me. Besides…”

He stood up and glared at Leah before continuing, “If I know that she is alive and continues to trick me, then her fate will be worse than death,” He warned.

Leah felt a chill run down her spine.

She was not sure if Han was directing those words at her, but she knew he suspected her.

Han left the room after he finished talking.

It was still a mystery whether Sarah White was a daughter of the White family. Before he could get confirmation, he would not do anything toward her.

Leah was still in a trance, even after Han had left for a long time.

She did not expect Han to hate herself to that extent.

She sighed and stepped out of her bed. While she put on her slippers, she noticed something on the floor.

It was right where Han had sat.

She walked over and picked it up. It was a keychain.

Leah was confused.

If she remembered correctly, she had made the keychain and gave it to him during his birthday two years ago.

At that time, he showed his disgust and hatred towards the keychain.

Why would he still carry it then?

After thinking about it, she decided to return the keychain to Han. He had just left, so it should be easy to catch up to him.

Leah went out of the ward and walked toward the staircase.

“Han, what took you so long?” All of a sudden, she heard a sweet voice.

It was Molly’s voice!

Before Leah’s mind could react, her body had instinctively hid herself in the stairwell.

Thankfully, she was well hidden. At the same time, she could also see the two of them clearly.

“I left something behind, so I had to go get it,” Han stood in front of Molly and explained.

“Hmm, why do you even care about that woman? Even if she dies, it’s none of your business anyway! You have to make it up for me since I’ve been waiting for you for so long,” Molly snuggled up onto Han.

Han lowered his head, “How do you want me to make it up for you then?” He asked with a deep voice.

When Molly heard this, she was pleasantly surprised and immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, and leaned towards his face with pursed lips.

Leah held her breath as she looked at the two people making out in front of her.

Chapter 38

Throughout their three-year marriage, Leah had never enjoyed sex with Han. He was far from gentle with her and he had never kissed her, not even behind closed doors.

Yet there he was, making out with Molly in the public. Leah’s heart sank. She looked at the keychain she was holding and she lifted a miserable smile. I bet he won’t even notice this keychain has gone missing. He doesn’t even love me, why would he care about a gift from me?

Leah slipped the keychain into her purse, before quietly leaving the stairwell. Little did she know Han was observing her all this while. The moment Leah was out of his sight, Han pushed away Molly impatiently.

“What’s the matter, Han?” Molly asked, taken aback. They had only shared a brief kiss, leaving her yearning for more.

Han glanced at his watch. He said coldly, “Excuse me, but I have to go now.” Molly wanted to say something but he had already turned on his heel.

It had been a minute since her engagement party with Han was ruined. Despite her father urging them to get engaged, Han managed to brush the matter off with various excuses. He left her with no choice but to take things into her hands now.

Leah decided to return from the hospital once she regained consciousness. She felt fine despite the shock. When she stepped into the house, Ian and Sasha were chatting on the couch. Sasha was beaming while Ian looked distracted.

“Welcome home, Ms. White.” Noticing Leah, one of the maids quickly greeted her. Ian glanced at the entrance and he immediately walked toward Leah.

“How are you feeling now? Are you okay?” He examined her with a concerned look. Leah shook her head, “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

Sasha glared at Leah before approaching her with a forced smile. “Thank god you’re back, my dearest sister! I was so worried about you. If you hadn’t pushed me away, I would have been the one being taken hostage. Oh, what should I do without you, Sarah?”

To show how much she cared about Leah, Sasha pulled Leah into an embrace; she even teared up to add to the effect. It worked; Leah felt she shouldn’t be too hard on Sasha. Perhaps she misunderstood her.

Two days later, the White sisters were working together again. Their father Gordon would be returning today after sealing a significant deal he had spent almost a year abroad negotiating.

The deal boosted the White family’s reputation and everyone wanted to be friends with them. People were flocking to Gordon’s welcome home party to get on his good books.

Leah and Sasha changed into their dresses for the party. Sasha stared at Leah in her new dress, though she was secretly seething inside. Leah looked pretty. Too pretty. Sasha felt threatened; she needed to be the only rightful daughter in the family.

“Let’s go and greet the guests, shall we?” Sasha plastered a smile on her face and she held Leah’s hand. However, Leah wasn’t ready. She was afraid to bump into Han.

“I have to fix my makeup. I’ll meet you outside,” Leah said feebly.

“Sure.” Sasha resisted the urge to roll her eyes and she swiftly turned away.

As she walked away, Sasha thought of something, and she quickly returned to Leah. “Oh yes, Sarah! Mom told me Han couldn’t make it today. She asked me to get you, so dad could introduce you to everyone.”

Leah’s heart leaped as Sasha mentioned Han’s absence today. Sasha smirked, noticing Leah’s reaction. “You look like you’re scared of Han. What happened?”

“I’m not. You’re overthinking this.” Leah denied it, trying to sound nonchalant.

As soon as Leah and Sasha stepped into the ballroom, Gordon waved at them, calling for Leah. Leah paused for a moment and she walked over to Gordon on the stage.

Standing on the stage, she could see everyone in the ballroom. Han wasn’t among the crowd. She let out a sigh of relief.

“May I get everyone’s attention please,” Gordon spoke, holding Leah’s hand, “I would like to share with all of you today very happy news. This lovely lady here, her name is Sarah White, and I’m glad to call her my daughter.”

“Wait, what? Since when does Mr. White have two daughters?”

“This is not right. I remember he has only one daughter.”

Surprised by Gordon’s announcement, people were whispering. Gordon cleared his throat, “As you all know, I lost my daughter in an unfortunate accident on the sea ten years ago. We found Sasha two weeks later. Then, we also found Sarah six months ago.”

“I am fully aware only one of them is my birth daughter, but my wife and I love both of them equally and wholeheartedly. So please, cherish both of them as part of the White family.” Gordon concluded following what he and his wife had agreed earlier.

No matter what, both young ladies should be treated equally before they knew what the truth was. Gordon’s speech was greeted by a round of applause.

“Mr. White is such a kind-hearted man.”

“Good for you, Mr. White! Now you have two daughters to take care of you.”

“Sarah is quite pretty. She does bear a resemblance to Mrs. White when she was younger.”

Lights dimmed in the ballroom as Sasha appeared on the stage, wearing a striking champagne-colored dress. Everyone stopped and they looked at her in awe. A spotlight shone on her, casting an angelic glow on her face. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Thank you everyone here for joining us in welcoming my father home,” she announced with a confident smile, “Here’s a song for my father and all of you.”

Leah sat down in front of a piano. She began playing. The performance was flawless.

“She plays it so well! I heard she won second place in the International Piano Competition.”

“How elegant! Her proper upbringing shows in her perfect performance.”

“I bet the impostor can’t play half as well as her.”

Leah heard the two women commenting about her. She turned to look at them. They glared at her. She was flustered by their hostility toward her.

“Well, well, hello there, little miss impostor,” one of the women jeered at Leah. “How could you do this though? How could you fool the Whites and how could you try to replace Sasha?”

“Look at you! I’m amazed you have the confidence to compete with Sasha,” the other woman joined in, “See that angel on the stage? She’s the real deal. You’re nothing.”

“Sasha has been playing the piano and painting forever. She’s good with everything. What are you good with? Do you even have any talent to show?”

Leah pursed her lips and she kept quiet. Before she could walk away, Sasha had finished her song and everyone was cheering for her perfect performance.

Sasha stood up and she found Leah almost immediately. She called out to her, “Sarah, it’s your turn now. Come on, show us your present for our dearest father!”

She tried to look as sincere as possible, yet she was secretly rejoicing at Leah’s dumbfounded reaction to being put on the spot. Sasha was certain Leah had not prepared anything.

Chapter 39

Sasha successfully turned everyone’s attention to her so-called sister. Everyone was examining the woman named Sarah White skeptically.

They did not think she deserved to be a member of the elite family. She was nothing but an impostor trying to live a life she did not belong.

Leah took a deep breath and walked toward Sasha with a smile. Once again, she stood on the stage. She scanned the room and was relieved to find Han nowhere in sight.

“I don’t know how to play the piano,” Leah was nervous as she spoke into the microphone. Sasha grinned triumphantly. Leah continued, “However, I do know how to play the violin. Perhaps I could play a song for my father if that makes him happy.”

“Violin?” Sasha was shocked. Leah nodded, trying to gauge Mr. and Mrs. White’s reactions. They seemed pleased and they looked at her anticipatingly.

Someone swiftly brought a violin to Leah on the stage. She slowly tuned the violin as she tried to calm herself down.

The moment Sasha stepped down from the stage, she dropped her fake smile. She frowned at her friends. “Did you tell her what I asked you to?”

The two women nodded. “Of course we did! However, she didn’t seem to mind.”

“Don’t worry about her, Sasha! I don’t think she can play the violin well. I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. White will see through her lies and it is clear you are their rightful daughter.”

“That’s right! Ian will come to his senses and he will understand he belongs with you sooner or later.”

While they were whispering, Leah was getting ready to perform on the stage. She closed her eyes briefly and began to play. As the music started to flow from her fingers, she became at ease.

She was in high school when she first learned to play the violin. Her music teacher was impressed by her talent with the violin and she encouraged her to continue learning violin.

Leah did not stop playing the violin after marrying Han. In fact, his money had helped her to pay for violin lessons for ten years.

On the other side of the mansion, Han had finally arrived at the entrance. A security guard greeted him, “Welcome, Mr. Howard.”

“Has the party ended?” Han asked. The security guard answered politely, “No, the party is still ongoing, Mr. Howard. I believe Mr. White is expecting you at the ballroom.”

Han nodded and he walked toward the ballroom. Even before he stepped into the ballroom, he could hear music coming from inside. Someone was playing the violin. He glanced up at the stage.

Wearing a light blue dress with her long hair let down, Leah was basking in the spotlight on the stage. She looked stunning. Equally captivating was the way she was playing the violin. Even someone who knew nothing about violin could tell she was impeccable with the violin.

While everyone was surprised at how well Leah was playing the violin, Han sneered. He recalled the first time he got to know Leah could play the violin. He was home early from work and he heard her practicing her violin.

He remembered asking the maid who was playing the violin. The maid replied, “Mrs. Howard practices her violin for about half an hour every day at this time.”

Han was amused. “Wow, I’m impressed that a bumpkin like her knows how to play the violin.”

Leah got to know his reaction, and she never again played the violin in the house. Han couldn’t care less; he wasn’t interested in her playing after all.

However, there was something different with the woman playing the violin on the stage now. He continued to listen to her performance impassively.

Leah had finished playing her song. She slowly stood up and she was surprised to find Han sitting among the crowd. Her blood turned cold. She fled the stage while everyone was clapping for her remarkable performance.

“That’s the best violin playing I’ve ever heard! She is even as good as Sasha!”

“She is such a talented daughter!”

“If you look closely, Sarah looks similar to Mrs. White in her younger days.”

Sasha felt anger boiling inside as she heard people praising Leah. To her dismay, Ian was approaching Leah with a charming smile.

“I’m impressed! You are playing the violin so well.” Ian complimented Leah. She smiled and replied humbly, “I simply love to play the violin.”

“You are a talented woman.” Ian beamed at her. “You know what, I know someone who’s looking for a violinist for his concert. If you are interested, I could introduce you.”

“Really?” Leah was surprised. “I would appreciate that.”

“Don’t mention it! We are friends. Do you remember when we were kids…”

“Ian, you’re here!” Sasha interrupted their conversation. Ian turned to look at her icily, “Oh, Sasha. What do you want?”

“I’ve made some changes to my painting. Could you take a look?” Sasha was hopeful.

Ian glanced at Leah, unsure how to respond. Leah knew she had to say something. “Please, go on with the painting. I think I need to get some rest now.” She was still weak and she needed rest, so Ian left with Sasha to give her the space to rest.

Leah could not wait to leave. As soon as Ian and Sasha left, Leah turned to walk away but was stopped in her tracks by the two women who made snide remarks about her earlier.

“You got lucky with your violin tonight, but you’ll never be able to replace Sasha.”

“If you don’t want to embarrass yourself further, you should leave now. Know your place, bitch! You don’t belong with the White family.”

Leah was annoyed. These women thought they could hurt her with their words, how pathetic. They should see how Han had been treating her all these years. He was so mean to her she became immune to rude comments.

“I know my place very well, but do you know your place? I tell you what, you are in no position to speak for Sasha. Know your place before you speak to me, you bitches.” Leah said coldly.

“How dare you!” The two women’s faces turned red. Leah rolled her eyes, “Get out of my way.”

Before she could push them aside, one of the women screamed and fell onto the floor. The other woman immediately accused Leah of pushing them. “How dare you push her! She did nothing but ask you a few harmless questions. Is this how you treat people?”

The noise caught the others’ attention. People began to surround them and they eyed Leah suspiciously. Leah was confused and she tried to explain, “I did not push her.”

“If you didn’t push her, are you implying she fell on her own?” Han stared at Leah. He had witnessed what happened between Leah and the two women, but he wasn’t here to help Leah.

He put down his glass of wine. He was about to leave when someone spoke loudly at the ballroom entrance. “So what if she pushed her?”

Chapter 40

Everyone in the ballroom, including Leah, turned to look at the person making such a bold statement at the entrance.

A dangerously good-looking man wearing a black coat stood there. Leah’s jaw dropped as she recognized him.

He was the one who saved her in the underground casino. She shivered, remembering how he had slaughtered all those people there.

The man was holding a dainty gift box. He walked toward Leah with a smirk. The sound of his footsteps broke the silence in the ballroom. People started discussing the man.

“Who is he? He’s so hot. Why have I never seen him before?”

“That’s Ron Sanders. He’s Mr. Sanders’ illegitimate son, and he only reunited with the family six months ago. I heard he’s a jerk and he often gets on Mrs. Sander’s nerves.”

“Don’t let his good looks fool you! He’s a good-for-nothing who wastes his life drinking and sleeping around.”

Leah was surprised to find out his name. She also realized everyone did not like him. At least they shared something in common. She was unpopular too.

Ron halted in front of Leah. He shoved the gift box into her hands. “It’s for your father.”

“What’s inside?” Leah asked curiously. She had not expected him to bring a gift for Gordon.

“Open it and you’ll see,” replied Ron with a smug smile on his face.

Leah hesitated for a moment and she opened the box. Before she could react, the woman who had fallen on the floor earlier bolted up and screamed.

A spider was crawling out of the box slowly. Ron chuckled at the sight. Leah looked at him disapprovingly, “How childish.”

Ron stopped laughing. He turned toward the woman who was terrified by the spider. “I thought you couldn’t get up from the floor. Now it seems you are perfectly fine after all.”

“What are you trying to say here?” The woman was furious, but Ron was unfazed.

He answered, “Are you stupid or what? Can’t you see I’m on Ms. White’s side? So what if she pushed you? You deserve a slap in the face anyway, you bitch.”

Leah was stupefied. She grabbed Ron’s arm, “What are you doing?”

“I’m standing up for you. I didn’t save your life to see you get your ass kicked by those women.” Ron snickered. Leah’s face turned pale.

“Do you know me?” She asked quietly, pointing to her face.

Ron examined her face and he said playfully, “You look different, but I can tell who you are from your eyes. For what it’s worth, you look prettier now.”

Leah was at a loss for words. If Ron could recognize her even after only meeting her twice previously, Han must be able to recognize her now. Her blood turned cold.

“You’re a bastard! Who do you think you are to say such things here?”

“A bastard and an impostor; They are a match made in heaven!”

The two women retaliated spitefully. Ron’s face fell as he heard them calling him a bastard. He glared at them and he asked menacingly, “What did you call me?”

The women were trembling in fear, and they could not say a word.

Leah recalled the bloodbath back at the underground casino, and she quickly pulled him aside. “This is a happy occasion celebrating my father’s return. I beg you, please don’t ruin this party.”

Ron looked at her pleading face, and he softened his tone. He pinched her cheek, “Sure, but only if you call me your bae.”

She stared at him, unable to bring herself to say the word he wanted her to say.

He shook his head, displeased. “You should be honored to call me your bae, woman! Why do you look so embarrassed?”

Ron wanted to pinch her other cheek when someone grabbed his wrist. He raised an eyebrow. His eyes met Han’s icy stares. Leah trembled to see Han.

“Who are you?” Ron asked with an alarmed look. Han didn’t answer; instead, he ordered Ron to move away. “Don’t touch her.”

“Mind your own business, dude! She’s not your girl. I can touch her all I like,” said Ron provocatively. Han scowled at Ron.

Han did not intend to get involved, but he felt strangely uncomfortable when Ron touched her.

Leah tried to get out of this sticky situation. “I’m not feeling very well. I’ll have to leave now.” She made an excuse before quickly fleeing the scene, despite Ron trying to stop her.

“Guess the party’s over, time to move along now.” Ron shrugged and he left the ballroom, leaving Mrs. Sanders to stew in anger and disbelief.

Leah didn’t return to her bedroom. Instead, she went to the garden for a stroll. With the crowd gathered in the ballroom, it was peaceful and quiet in the garden.

She entered a gazebo. She sat down to gaze at the fish swimming in the pond, lost in thought.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard footsteps in the garden. Nobody was allowed in the garden except for the White family members. She thought it was Mrs. White and she quickly stood up.

As she turned around, she bumped into a man reeking of alcohol. Shocked, she took a step back to see the man’s face clearer.

“Han?” She was stunned.