Chapter 115: The Reunion

Arthur drove a dazzling golden Lamborghini, its sleek lines and wild design perfectly suited to its owner, reflecting his flamboyant personality in every detail.

He parked the car before the Wething family castle. Leaning leisurely against the car’s body with his tall frame, he exuded a lazy yet captivating air, patiently awaiting his beloved.

His sky-blue eyes gazed longingly toward the castle, as if something dear to him awaited inside.

She must be in there, yet they could not meet.

It was not just the misunderstanding between them, but also the pressing circumstances that kept them apart.

“Please wait for me.”

The castle gates slowly opened, and a beautiful young lady emerged, holding a white parasol, stepping out from the sunlight. Her golden curls traced a graceful arc behind her with every step, her fair skin highlighting her stunning sea-blue eyes. Everything about her was breathtaking.

She was truly beautiful, angelic in her beauty! Yet, to Arthur, that was all she was—nothing more, nothing less.

Arthur watched the angelic girl approach, a charming, mischievous smile curling his lips. With elegant steps, he reached her side, gently bowed, lifted her right hand veiled in white lace, and softly pressed a kiss upon it. Then, his voice, low and alluring, spoke.

“Fair lady, will you join me for a stroll along the Thames?”

“It would be my utmost honor, handsome gentleman,” she replied with a graceful smile befitting a true lady.

Arthur straightened and cast a seductive smile at Avril before taking her small hand and leading her toward the sports car.

Avril maintained her gentle, proper smile, her thoughts unreadable.

The car swiftly reached the banks of the Thames. Arthur helped Avril out, and together they boarded a small boat, drifting downstream.

Seated opposite each other on the lovely vessel, Arthur’s mischievous smile returned as he addressed her.

“Miss Avril, how have you been lately?”

“Quite well, thank you for your concern,” she answered, her lady-like smile flawless and impeccable.

“And what of our matter?” Arthur asked carelessly.

“I must apologize. There have been urgent family affairs demanding my attention recently, so I fear I cannot provide a satisfactory answer for now.”

“Oh?” Arthur suddenly appeared intrigued, propping himself up with his right arm from his semi-reclined position. “What sort of matters trouble you so?”

Avril cast a sidelong glance at him, smiling. “Just some private affairs of the Avril family. Why, does His Grace find them interesting?”

Arthur laughed twice heartily, then reclined once more, eyes sparkling with amusement as he said, “Miss Avril, you truly are clever as ice and snow.”

“You flatter me, Your Grace. I dare not accept such praise,” she lowered her head slightly, displaying remarkable humility.

“Your demeanor now makes me question if I am indeed in China, and before me stands a young lady of an ancient Chinese noble family,” Arthur teased, eyeing Avril with a playful glint.

“My father’s first wife was a beautiful Chinese lady, so I have been steeped in Chinese culture as well,” Arthur said with a mischievous tilt of his head.

“You seem very different from the Avril I met that day in Windsor,” he observed, his eyes probing her closely.

“Different occasions require different etiquette,” Avril replied enigmatically, still smiling. “A proper lady must have these well memorized.”

“So, that timid, startled look you wore that night—was that also part of your lady-like etiquette?” Arthur asked with a half-smile, blue eyes locked on hers.

“What do you think, my noble lord?” Avril retorted, her earlier politeness replaced by a playful wink, meeting his gaze without hesitation.

Arthur paused, then laughed heartily. “Ha! Interesting, indeed. I believe life will hardly be dull during these days when our statuses are so intimately entwined.”

Avril recalled the moment with a faint smile but said nothing, her sea-blue eyes flickering as they gazed toward the deep blue Thames.

Meanwhile, Arthur, still laughing, held a profound depth in his eyes as he watched her shift her gaze.

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The Wething Castle

Yuwen Xi could not hold back much longer. Shortly after the man left, she decided to walk toward the garden at the back.

She should still be there. How would she treat her now?

Surprise? Or disdain?

Filled with unease, Yuwen Xi arrived at the garden but had not yet entered when she heard a string of curses.

“How could you be so careless? Scalding tea—did you want to burn me alive?” came a cool female voice.

“Sorry, Miss, I—” the soft voice of a maid interrupted.

Yuwen Xi frowned. Who was this so rude?

Yet the curses continued.

“Sorry? What good does sorry do? Besides, I clearly like coffee, and you insist on serving me tea. Are you trying to annoy me on purpose?”

“Miss, Dr. Bentley specifically instructed that you should not drink coffee—it’s bad for your health—” the maid explained timidly but was cut off by the arrogant voice.

“Shut up! How dare you talk back to me?”

The sound of objects crashing followed.

“Get out of here at once! I don’t want to see you again—never show your face before me!”

Yuwen Xi’s anger flared. What kind of spoiled girl was this, so insolent? She needed a stern lesson. With a serious expression, Yuwen Xi was about to step in when a gentle male voice stopped her.

“What’s wrong? Who has upset you again, Eva?”

“Who else? You! I told you I don’t like tea—I want coffee!”

The girl ignored the man’s gentle smile, her voice rough as she rubbed her temples with both hands.

Oh, her head hurt terribly! And that damned maid had made her even angrier!

Seeing her rough temple rubs, the man knew she was suffering another headache; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so irritable. His eyes filled with concern as he approached, gently taking her hands and massaging them to ease the pain. While doing so, he said softly,

“You know your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. Coffee isn’t good for you—”

“But I just want coffee! Only coffee makes the pain bearable!” she interrupted impatiently. Her tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed under his gentle touch, and she sighed,

“Your skills are indeed good. When you massage me, the pain lessens.”

The man’s eyes brightened in surprise, and he pressed a little harder.

“Ow! What are you doing, pressing so hard?” she yelped, swatting his hand away. “Enough, I don’t hurt as much now. Stop! Get lost!”

“Eva, I—” he looked both startled and a little regretful, frightened that his joy showed too plainly, chagrined at his careless pride, wanting to apologize, but she paid him no mind.

Eva’s mood was restless; she didn’t understand why but felt compelled to snap at those around her.

“Wait, Eva! Where are you going?” the man chased after her.

“Enough! Don’t bother me. I’m going to shower. Are you coming?” Eva waved him off impatiently, halting Dr. Bentley’s steps. As she turned to leave the garden, she bumped into a statue head-on, and her temper flared instantly.

“Who’s so blind as to stand there like a statue? Blocking my way? Are you tired of living? Believe me, I’ll turn you into a statue and send you to a museum!”

Yuwen Xi could hardly believe it. The girl before him was the one he longed for so deeply.

Her jet-black hair was even longer than the last time he saw her, still silky as satin. Her skin was pale, her complexion somewhat wan, and her cherry lips less rosy than before. Her violet eyes, still beautiful, now held a strange unfamiliarity as they stared at him.

She didn’t recognize him.

After hurling insults for a moment, Eva noticed he still didn’t move and grew angry, raising her head.

Before her stood a strong, handsome man with sun-kissed skin, neat black hair, a high nose bridge, sensuous thin lips, and, most captivating of all, a pair of sea-blue eyes that irresistibly drew her gaze.

Yes, she liked his eyes!

Behind Eva, Dr. Bentley’s eyes flashed sharply when he saw Yuwen Xi.

This man was no ordinary person!

His look at Eva was filled with undisguised admiration, stirring a fierce urge in Bentley to gouge out his eyes.

He spoke, “Sir, may I ask who you are—”

But Eva interrupted, “Your eyes are very pretty.”

Eva’s anger melted away, replaced by a radiant smile as she looked into those mesmerizing blue eyes.

Bentley grew anxious. “Eva, you don’t even know who he is. How can you—how can you look at him like that?!”

“This is none of your business. Step down,” Eva said, frowning in impatience.

“But—” Bentley tried again.

“Get lost! Did you hear me?” Eva shouted.

Bentley, though unwilling, obeyed, knowing Eva’s temper well. He left the garden with many glances back and shot Yuwen Xi a fierce glare before departing.

Yuwen Xi gazed into her unfamiliar eyes, feeling as if his heart were being cut with a knife. He wanted to speak when her voice cut through the silence:

“Rip your eyes out for me!”

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