Ch. 41..45: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 41-45
Chapter 41
Han glanced at Leah and he mumbled something. He seemed to be in a daze, and he did not recognize Leah.
Swaying a little, he staggered toward the pond. The short fence around the pond would not be able to stop him from falling into the pond.
A few steps before he reached the fence, Leah pulled him backward. Irritated, she sighed, “How much have you had to drink?”
Han paused and he sat down in the gazebo. He stared at Leah, perplexed. She could not tell what he was thinking. She was restless.
She took a deep breath. She was about to leave when Han grabbed her wrist. He was pulling her so hard she fell onto his lap, but he remained unmoved.
Not wanting to raise any suspicion should any White family member see them, she struggled to stand up. “Please let me go.”
Her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Han locked her arms behind her back, “Are you afraid of me?” Leah knew she had to try another way to escape. She tried to remain calm. “Why should I be afraid of you?”
He pressed on. “If you’re not afraid of me, why do you run away every time you see me?”
“I am not running away from you.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m not.”
“Sarah White.” He said her name out of the blue.
Her heart skipped a beat. “What?”
“Stop denying it.” He looked at her with an expressionless face. She let out a sigh. “Mr. Howard, you are drunk. I’ll call for your assistant to send you home.”
He shook his head, “First, I have a question for you.”
“Shoot.” She replied in a heartbeat. She would answer any question if it could make him leave.
Han studied her face carefully. For a moment, she thought he seemed less withdrawn. He began to speak. “Do you know a woman named Leah Murray?”
Caught off guard, Leah broke out in a cold sweat. Does Han recognize me? Why would he ask me if I know Leah Murray?
Han was always hard to read. Even when he was drunk now, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking or feeling. She steadied herself, “No, I don’t. Who is she?”
He looked disappointed. With a sigh, he replied, “She was somebody I used to know. She used to play the violin. You reminded me of her when you were playing on the stage.”
“Mr. Howard, you don’t let go of grudges easily, do you?” She said sarcastically.
Han was stunned. He hated Leah, but he didn’t feel happy when he found out she was dead. “No, I don’t. Even if she’s dead, I won’t stop hating her.”
“Why?” Her heart sank. “Why do you hate her so much?”
He shook his head in response and he staggered to his feet. He gazed at her. “You have beautiful eyes. What a pity.”
She did not understand what he meant. She was about to ask him when he blacked out and he fell toward her. She put him down on the bench in the gazebo and she found his cell phone.
“Hey, what’s your passcode?” She tried to unlock his cell to call for his assistant, but Han was unconscious. She decided there was nothing else she could do and she stood up to leave.
She had only taken a few steps before changing her mind. She could not leave him there. As she carried him to the White residence, she mumbled to herself, “You’ll be the death of me!”
When Leah finally put Han down to rest in the living room, the party was already over. It was 11 p.m. and everyone had retreated to their bedrooms.
She was alone with the unconscious Han in the living room. She had thought about leaving him in the living room, but she knew Sasha would be suspicious if Han was left there.
Letting out a long sigh, Leah carried Han to her room. She put him down on the couch. She wiped his face with a hot towel like how she used to take care of him when he was drunk.
He would be reluctant when she tried to take care of him in the past. Now, he let her do her thing without any resistance. She stared at him and she sighed. “If only we didn’t fight so much.”
On the other hand, Sasha returned to her bedroom early tonight. She did not even have her dinner. She was excited to see Ian, but he was fixated on Leah all night long.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Grumpy and hungry, she walked toward the kitchen around 11 p.m. to grab something to eat. To her surprise, she saw Leah carrying Han into the house.
Sasha smirked and she took a photo using her cell phone. “Let everyone see for themselves what a whore you are, Sarah White.” She uploaded the photo to social media.
The next morning when Han woke up on the couch, he had a massive hangover. He tried to fight away the dull pain in his head to sit up, but instead fell onto the floor.
The noise woke Leah up. Sleepily, she approached him in her white pajamas. “You’re finally awake! You should leave now.”
Han looked at Leah, trying hard to recall what happened last night. “Why am I here?”
“You had too much to drink. I wanted to call for assistance, but you wouldn’t help me unlock your cell phone. So I had to bring you back here.” She answered matter-of-factly. “You should leave now. I wouldn’t want my parents to see you here in my room.”
“Did you take care of me last night?” Han asked, still in a daze.
Leah nodded and she pushed him toward the door. “Yes, I did and I don’t want to take care of you ever again, so please don’t get yourself drunk next time. Goodbye, Mr. Howard.”
She closed the door with a loud thud. Han stood in front of the door, baffled. He looked down at the camisole he was clutching, deep in thought.
Leah fell asleep soundly after sending Han away. She didn’t have to worry about having a man she used to know in her room now.
However, her sleep was cut short when she heard a knock on her door. “Sarah, I need to talk to you.”
Chapter 42
After cleaning herself up, Leah went downstairs. The living room was pin-drop silent. “What’s wrong?” She looked at Jane’s serious expression and had a bad feeling in her heart.
Jane looked at her and bit her tongue. Gordon started the conversation, and he did not beat around the bush. “Were you with Han last night?”
Leah was shocked at his question. She gulped. Looking at their facial expressions, she realized that they had found out. But how did they find out? Was it when Han left?
Leah did not want to lie to them. Lowering her head, she spoke the truth. “Yes, he was drunk last night. I couldn’t contact his assistant, so I let him stay in the house for the night. I’m sorry…”
Gordon closed his eyes and said sadly, “You shouldn’t apologize to us. If there’s anyone wronged in this incident, it’s yourself!”
Leah sensed something was off. “What do you mean?” Jane put her phone on the table. “Look at it yourself.”
Leah picked up the phone. After a brief glance, color drained from her face. On the front page of the news website was a photo in which she was dragging Han last night. The camera angle made it look like she was hugging him.
The news article reported that the newly-appointed Young Lady of the White family had seduced a married man, and it did not hold back when describing her sleazy character. She stopped reading after a few lines.
She turned the phone screen off and took a deep breath. “It’s not true.”
“Of course. We believe in you, but the others won’t! Someone obviously wants to set you up,” Jane exclaimed.
“My conscience is clear,” Leah stated firmly.
However, it was not as simple as she thought. By noon, almost all the people in Linkville had seen the photo. While she was outside, Leah did not expect to be the target of criticism.
“She’s the seductress.”
“Hah! She looks so proper though. I didn’t expect her to be so deplorable.”
Someone even spat on her.
Leah quickly returned home and locked herself in the room.
The news has been widely discussed for half a day, but there was still no news from Han. Obviously, someone had purposely steered the public opinion against her. On the contrary, Han was not affected at all.
Outside the room, Jane said worriedly, “Sarah, are you all right?”
Leah moved her stiff body, “I’m fine.”
Jane sighed, “Come out and eat first. Your father will help you settle this matter. You shouldn’t go out of the house for now.”
Leah opened the door and looked at Jane. Feeling moved, she blurted, “Mom…” This was the first time she called Jane “Mom”.
Leah burst into tears. “It’s not like what the news said.”
Jane patted her back, “I know. I trust you.”
They went downstairs for dinner. Gordon had gone to the company while Sasha was at her piano lessons. Only Jane and Leah were in the villa.
While eating, the phone rang suddenly. Jane stopped Leah from standing up. “Finish your meal, I’ll answer the call.”
Jane picked up the phone. It seemed that the person on the other end of the phone said something unpleasant because Jane’s expression became more and more serious. “What do you mean?”
Leah realized something was wrong, so she put her cutlery down and walked over.
Jane turned the speaker on and Leah heard the voice of the caller. It was Molly. Molly sounded extremely arrogant, “I mean it literally, of course. Your daughter seduced my fiancé. I was only teaching her a little lesson. Was it too much?”
Jane said while suppressing her anger. “Ms. Lamere, it’s not what you think. Leah didn’t seduce Han.”
“You saw the photos. Why should I believe you? Mrs. White, I contacted you because I respect you as an elder. If you want me to retract the news, I only have one condition,” Molly said gloomily.
Jane asked, “What is it?”
Molly said happily, “Send Sarah out of the country as far as possible. I don’t want her to show up at my wedding with Han!”
“Sarah is our daughter. All we want is for her to stay with us. Ms. Lamere, your request is too much.” Jane seemed displeased.
The Lamere family was politically well-connected, and Jackson was the Chief of Linkville. Even Han needed to show respect to the Lamere family, not to mention the White family.
Jane did not dare to offend the Lamere family, but she did not want to be unjust to Leah.
Leah cackled coldly. “I’ve given your daughter a lifeline, Mrs. White, you’d better cherish it.”
After that, she hung up.
Leah was trembling in fear. Even when I’m Sarah White now, why is Molly unwilling to let me go?
Jane was angry and distressed at the same time. She held Leah’s hand and reassured her, “Don’t worry, Sarah. I’ll discuss this with your father. We won’t send you away.”
Leah nodded quietly, feeling down.
The next three days passed in the blink of an eye. Leah had no idea what Jane and Gordon had discussed, but they did not cheer up. They were always forcing a smile while facing her. Leah did not ask, nor did they say anything.
That evening, Leah woke up to get some water. She heard a weeping sound coming from Sasha’s room. Sasha’s door was ajar. Leah hesitated and opened the door.
“Sasha, what’s wrong?” Leah asked.
Sasha was shocked when she saw Leah. She quickly wiped away the tears on her face and shook her head. “Nothing.”
She doesn’t look fine. Leah sighed, “You can tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help?”
“It’s useless,” Sasha cried. “It’s the Lamere family. What can you do?”
These days, Leah had been particularly sensitive about the words “the Lamere Family”.
“What’s wrong?”
Sasha told her the whole story. It turned out that for the past two days, the Lamere family had been acting against the White family. Jackson put pressure on the White family business and sent closed- down notices to several stores under the White Group. Their share prices had also bottomed out.
“Sarah, it must be Molly. She’s coming for you. I don’t want to see Daddy and Mommy so sad. Can you… Daddy and Mommy love you so much! Even if you leave, they’ll treat you the same!” Sasha pleaded.
Leah froze, and her head buzzed. She could hardly hear Sasha’s words. It was as if a spell had stuck her.
After a moment, she muttered sadly, “Okay, I’ll go find Molly.”
Chapter 43
In the Lamere family villa, Molly grinned while slicing some meat and putting it on Han’s plate. Han paused for a moment and ate it without emotion.
She wanted to cut some more for him, but he stopped her. “Stop. I’m full.”
“But you only ate a little.”
“I’m not here for dinner today.” Han put down his cutlery and spoke frankly, “You’re the one behind the news scandal.” His tone was firm.
Molly’s smile froze, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes. She put down her cutlery and forced herself to look cheerful. “So, Han, are you here to interrogate me today? Are you willing to do this for a woman you’ve only met a few times?”
“No, I’m just angry,” Han uttered.
“Why are you angry? What’s wrong?” Molly panicked.
Han explained, “I have nothing to do with Sarah White, but you’re creating such a mess. You don’t trust me.”
“No, I trust you… Han, Listen to me, I just, I just…” Molly panicked and wanted to explain.
She loved Han to the bone, and she would be nervous even if he was a little upset. She had fabricated the scandal out of jealousy; she did not want to see any woman next to Han.
Han looked at her coldly. “I’ll take care of it.” After that, he left.
At this moment, someone entered the villa. It was Leah, who looked haggard. As soon as Leah saw Han in the Lamere family’s living room, her gaze wavered. He must be related to this matter.
When Molly noticed Leah, her expression turned gloomy in an instant. “Why are you here?”
Leah shifted her gaze from Han and uttered slowly, “I’m here to tell you that I’m willing to go abroad, and I won’t return within five years. Can you stop putting pressure on my father’s business?”
Han furrowed his brow when he heard that.
Molly chuckled coldly. “Ms. White, I remember giving you a chance two days ago, but you didn’t cherish it. What makes you think I’ll change my mind now?”
Leah bit her lip. She expected that Molly would humiliate her, but it was something she had to endure.
“What do you want me to do so that you’ll spare the White family?” Leah asked, biting her lip.
Molly glanced at Han next to her. She suddenly grinned, “Kneel and apologize to me. Then, cut your face with a knife. If you do that, I’ll forgive you and your family. Can you do it?”
Leah wavered upon hearing her words. Molly’s humiliating tactics haven’t changed at all.
However, if that was what it took for Molly to let go of the White family, Leah would do it willingly.
“Okay,” She nodded, bending her knees slowly under Molly’s cold gaze.
After Leah knelt down, she uttered, “Ms. Lamere, I apologize for what I did.”
“Will you seduce a married man again?” Molly asked.
Leah bit her lips, feeling humiliated. “I won’t.”
Seeing that, Han felt somewhat disturbed. Even though he had met that woman only a few times before, he felt annoyed when he saw her humiliated.
“Now, your face.” Molly threw a dagger at Leah.
Leah’s gaze shifted downward to the dagger on the floor. She took a deep breath and picked it up.
Anyway, this face was given to me by the White family. It doesn’t matter if it’s destroyed…
She slowly moved the dagger to her face and gritted her teeth.
“Enough.” Han suddenly stepped forward and took the dagger from her.
Molly’s expression became vicious. “Who is she to you, Han? Is she more important to you than I am?”
Han stared at Molly and laughed coldly. “What are you trying to prove?”
Molly tried to explain, but Han continued, “This has nothing to do with her. She won’t affect our relationship.”
“What do you mean?” Molly was stunned.
Han glanced at Leah. Looking into her eyes that were staring at him, he was reminded of someone. He sighed inwardly. “I’ll arrange the date of our engagement as soon as possible. Let’s not get anyone else involved.”
Molly was stunned momentarily, but she immediately felt happy afterward. She stood up and looked at Han shyly. “Is it true, Han?”
Han threw the dagger aside and glared at Leah. “Get lost.”
Leah looked at him dumbfoundedly. She did not understand why Han helped her. No, maybe he isn’t speaking up for me but for the White family. In any case, he pulled me out from a tight spot. She nodded hurriedly, stood up, and left.
Suddenly, the White family’s troubles were gone. Jane and Gordon sensed that there was something more than met the eye. After all, they did not agree to Molly’s condition, so how could the Lamere family let them go?
That midnight, Jane knocked on Leah’s door. “Sarah, are you asleep?”
“Not yet.” Leah opened the door half-heartedly.
Jane walked in and handed her a glass of milk. “I’d like to ask you about the Lamere family.”
Leah knew what she wanted to ask, so she told her the whole story. Jane was very angry when she heard that. “Molly Lamere is too much! I’m so sorry you have to go through all this, Sarah.”
Leah smiled, “No, I’m sorry that you two have to go through all this.”
“Speaking of which, I’m quite surprised that Han pleaded for you.”Jane sighed and said, “He might seem aloof, but he values affection highly. We took care of him for some time when he was a child, and he’s been a good boy.” After she finished speaking, she glanced at Leah apologetically. “I just don’t know why he did that to you….”
“You don’t have to apologize.” Leah took Jane’s hand. “I’m part of the White family now. Since Han helped us, he is our benefactor.”
“It’s good you think that way. I’ll invite him to our house for dinner this weekend. What do you think?”
Leah halted for a second. Although she did not want to see Han again, she had to admit that he helped the White family. She said, “I’ll leave it to you.”
Jane caressed her hair lovingly and left. Before leaving, Leah called out to her. “By the way, I have something to discuss with you”
Chapter 44
“What is it?” Jane asked.
Leah said, “I’ve thought about it. I can’t keep depending on you. I want to get a job.”
Jane was surprised when she heard that. She smiled softly and said, “You don’t have to worry about this. We might not be as wealthy as the Howard family, but we are more than capable to support you.”
Leah shook her head. In some aspects, she was as stubborn as Gordon. “I want to do something for myself.”
Jane sighed. “If that’s what you want, we respect your choice. Have you thought of what you want to do?”
“Not yet.”
“If that’s the case, why don’t you work for your dad?”
“Okay.”
After a short conversation, Jane left. Leah looked at her back from behind, feeling warm and fuzzy in her heart. This finally feels like family.
Her former father, Charlie Parridge, immersed himself in gambling. He abused and cursed her every day. Leah could only feel depressed whenever she recalled her past.
The next day, Gordon invited Han for dinner with the White family. At the same time, he invited the Sanders family for helping them a lot when they were in trouble.
Ian and Mrs. Sanders were the first to arrive. As soon as they entered the house, Ian asked Jane, “Mrs. White, where’s Sarah?”
“Ian, are you looking for me?” Leah came downstairs and happened to hear him.
“Ian!” Sasha exclaimed in surprise. When Ian noticed Leah, he walked toward her happily and completely ignored Sasha standing behind Leah. Sasha’s eyes flashed with resentment upon his reaction.
“I have good news for you.”
“What is it?”
“Do you remember the last time I told you that my friend’s father was about to hold a concert?”
“Yes, I remember,” Leah nodded and asked, “What about it? Do you have any news?”
Ian smiled happily. “Of course! He’s looking for a violinist, and he asked me to bring you to Saint Ville at the end of this month.”
“Really? Thank you so much, Ian!” Leah thanked him gratefully.
Ian blushed slightly. He waved his hand and replied, “Don’t mention it. If he chooses you, it’s because you’re capable. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Leah chuckled shyly when she heard that.
Looking at the two of them chatting happily, Sasha’s heart was filled with jealousy. She rushed over and inserted herself between them. “Ian, is your friend’s father looking for a pianist? I think I can try it too!”
“Too bad, he’s not, “Ian shook his head and uttered coldly. “I don’t think Mrs. White would allow you to go. You’d better stay at home.”
Sasha was speechless.
Once again, Ian focused his gaze on Leah. “It’s decided then. I’ll pick you up next Sunday.”
Leah smiled and thanked him.
Gordon entered the villa while talking with Han. As soon as Han entered, he instinctively looked at Leah. However, when he noticed how laid back she seemed, he frowned.
“What are you guys talking about?”Jane, who rarely saw Leah laughing, came into the house behind the two men.
Leah quickly stood up. The moment she noticed Han, the smile on her face dissipated. “Nothing.”
Han pursed his lips upon her reaction.
After dinner, Ian got up and left. A few minutes after he walked out, it suddenly began to rain.
Seeing the rain, Sasha jumped up from the couch. “I’ll bring an umbrella to Ian!” After that, she took an umbrella and quickly left.
“That silly girl,” Jane chuckled and said.
Looking at the heavy rain, Leah remembered that Han did not bring an umbrella with him. She recalled the last time it was raining heavily and he did not bring an umbrella, he fell sick with a fever for two days. She sighed, and by the time she realized what she was doing, she was already out of the house with an umbrella.
Han was sheltering from the rain in the gazebo. He was not prepared because he did not expect the rain, and he could only wait in the gazebo for the rain to stop.
Soon, he saw a black umbrella appear amid the heavy rain. The person who was holding it was Leah. Although she looked somewhat reluctant, she walked to the gazebo, closed the umbrella, and handed
it to Han. “It’s raining heavily. Use this.”
Han paused for a few seconds and chuckled suddenly. Leah was surprised because he always looked so stern. She felt smitten when she saw him smile.
“You only took one umbrella along with you,” Han said. “If you give it to me, how are you going back?”
Leah blushed in embarrassment. She was so anxious that she totally forgot about that.
Han opened the umbrella. “Let’s go, I’ll send you back.”
Leah turned her head away awkwardly. “No need, I can go back by myself…” Before she could finish, Han dragged her arm and brought her close.
Even though the gazebo was near the villa, Leah thought it was a long journey. She stole a sideways glance at Han. He did not have any expression on his face.
“What are you looking at?” He suddenly asked.
Leah panicked and retracted her gaze. “Nothing.”
After a moment of silence, she continued, “Thank you for what happened in the Lamere family.”
Han scoffed, “You don’t have to thank me. I was only trying to help the White family.”
Leah was silent again. She should not have borne high hopes. After all, the person he liked was Molly, so how would he go against Molly for her sake?
Leah entered the villa. Looking at her back, a thought flashed through Han’s mind. It was the same feeling again.
After returning to the Howard residence, Han put the umbrella aside and opened the door. Ever since that woman left, the Howard residence became gloomy.
“You’re back!” Shyanne exclaimed as she stepped out of the room. “Where did you go?”
Han ignored her question and walked upstairs.
“You went to visit the White family, didn’t you?” Shyanne continued to pester him. She reminded him angrily, “Brother, don’t forget about tomorrow!”
Chapter 45
Han halted. He turned around and stared at Shyanne in the eye. “I didn’t.”
“You’re not searching for that woman anymore, are you? You’ll let her go even if she might still be alive, right?” Shyanne continued to interrogate.
“I don’t need you to meddle in my affairs,” Han responded while staring at her coldly.
“But, it’s related to our dad, I can’t…” Shyanne did not manage to finish her sentence.
She looked down in horror at his hand that was choking her neck.
Han gripped her neck but did not use any force. Even so, she could not say a word.
“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Han growled at her.
Shyanne was so terrified that her body trembled uncontrollably. She immediately pleaded, “Okay, okay, I get it. I won’t talk about it anymore.” Han smirked coldly, let go of his hand, and walked upstairs.
After the narrow escape, Shyanne fell on her knees, trembling. She touched her neck and gasped for air.
Han returned to his room and was about to take a shower. His cell phone rang at that moment.
The caller ID showed that Jackson was calling him. Upon answering the call. Jackson immediately went to the point. “Do you know that Shawn is back?”
Han narrowed his eyes and replied, “Yes, I do.”
Jackson continued, “He invited me to discuss a business deal in Saint Ville. You’ll be going with me.”
As expected, Shawn really contacted Jackson. Han pinched his eyebrows impatiently.
Shawn was the eldest son of the Ford family, one of the most influential families in Saint Ville. Just like the Howard family, they built their fortune through the property business. Previously, they were more influential than the Howard family. Only after Han took over the Howard family, he succeeded in surpassing them.
Obviously, Shawn must be plotting something this time. The patriarch of the Ford family has gotten old. Sooner or later, Shawn will take over the reins of the Ford family, and Shawn is someone that…
“I got it.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m taking you with me?” Jackson asked him.
Han was rendered speechless for a brief moment.
Jackson added, “Shawn must be plotting something on his return. You can keep an eye on him if you follow me. Don’t worry, with my help, the Ford family won’t be able to do anything to you.”
“Understood,” Han replied.
The next Sunday, at seven o’clock in the morning, Ian went to the White family to pick Leah up. He wore a black suit and had a gentlemanly smile on his face.
Sasha looked at him admirably. “Ian, please, take me with you. I’d love to meet him too.”
Ian gave her a distant look. “Sasha, listen to me. I’ll bring you a gift from Saint Ville when I get back.”
Sasha bit her lip. He always treated her like a child whenever he talked to her, even though she was already a grown-up and could be his lover.
Leah came out of the house with Jane.
Ian widened his smile and opened the front passenger car door for her.
Jane took Leah’s hands and reminded her, “I want you to call me when you arrive at Saint Ville, okay?”
“Yes, Mom. Don’t worry about me,” Leah bid farewell to both Jane and Sasha, then got into Ian’s car.
In the car, Ian talked to her. “Don’t be nervous, Mr. Simmons is a kind person.”
Leah smiled. “I’m not nervous. I’m just afraid to let you down.”
“You won’t,” Ian replied.
The plane arrived in Saint Ville at ten o’clock in the morning. Ian helped Leah claim her luggage and started a conversation with her while walking. “Mr. Simmons booked us a homestay, I’ll take you there.”
Soon, Leah got off the bus and looked at the residence in front of her. It was a traditional-style homestay, with a small garden in front and a long corridor in the backyard. The room was right next to the corridor.
At the end of the corridor was a tea room, a leisure room, and a large hot spring divided into men’s and women’s sections. Although the building was all made of wood, it looked sturdy.
This was the first time Leah stayed in such a beautiful homestay. Her eyes were full of amazement.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Ian noticed her expression and smiled. He explained, “This homestay is very famous in Saint Ville. People from all over visit here.”
Leah nodded and said, “It’s beautiful indeed.”
As soon as they entered the homestay, Ian checked in using Sullivan’s name, and the receptionist ushered them to a room.
They took off their shoes, put on the slippers, and entered the room.
It was a large room separated by a curtain. There was a square table on the wooden floor, and a man in a bathrobe, looking like he was in his fifties, was sitting in front of the table.
There was a chessboard and a cup of tea on the table. Beside him was a woman in a white bathrobe.
“Mr. Simmons, we’re here,” Ian greeted.
“Shh,” the woman sitting next to him made a silent gesture, pointed to Sullivan, and uttered, “Mr. Simmons is playing chess. Please wait a moment.” Ian nodded.
Leah, on the other hand, looked curiously at Sullivan, who was playing chess with himself.
About half an hour later, Sullivan sighed, “I lost.”
Immediately afterward, he swept away the chess pieces.
The maid collected the pieces silently. Sullivan raised his head to look at Ian and smiled. “You two must have waited for a long time.” After that, he looked at Leah and asked, “Is she the violinist?”
“Pleasure to meet you, I’m Sarah White,” Leah said.
“So she’s the new daughter of the White family,” Sullivan said. He nodded, pointed to the violin next to him, and ordered, “Play me a tune.”
Leah shot a glance at Ian. He gave her an encouraging look.
She picked up the violin, took a deep breath, and played a piece.
Sullivan thought for some time and nodded his head. “Not bad, she’s indeed a good violinist. She’s the one then.”
Leah was surprised. “So… that’s it?”
Ian grinned, “Mr. Simmons doesn’t like to beat around the bush. He’s very satisfied with your performance, so he has made his decision.”
“Haha! You know me very well, Ian!” Sullivan nodded and looked at Leah, “It’s still early. Young lady, won’t you play a game with me?”
Leah was a little embarrassed. “But I’m not good at chess.”
“As long as you know the basic rules, it’ll be fine,” Sullivan reassured her and ordered the maid to set up the chessboard.