Rosa was confused. "What's wrong? Are you okay?""Nothing, I'm fine … I just have some personal matters to attend to."Rosa hesitated to approve of Belle's leave.She pondered how Grayson would react to her request for a leave of absence as he had directly intervened with Belle's resignation prior.After a moment of consideration, Rosa replied, "Why don't you ask Mr. Page about it? I'm just afraid that he might be angry if he tries to look for you after I approve your leave."Belle was slightly annoyed, but she understood it was better not to give Rosa a hard time. She decided to send Grayson a message instead."I want to apply for a leave of absence."Grayson replied, "What for?""There are private matters that I need to handle.""Come into my office."Belle hesitated for a while but still went to Grayson's office.Grayson was busy with approving documents as she entered the room."What kind of private matters need to be resolved during work hours?"Belle thought for a mo
Gabriel was wearing a simple set of sportswear along with a down jacket with the hood covering his head. He had both his hands in his pockets as he headed out of the house.Belle frowned with both suspicion and annoyance.This was not evidence to prove that Gabriel had committed the murder, but it was at least proof that he had left the house.However, every other surveillance camera in the area beyond the main entrance showed no trace of Gabriel.Belle even went through the surveillance footage around Henrietta's house and did not see Gabriel.As a result, she had no idea where Gabriel went after leaving Ginger's house and what he had done.After failing to acquire any clues through the surveillance footage, Belle decided to directly access the police's database for details about Henrietta's death.Among the files included a video that showed Henrietta before her death. The video displayed a man knocking on Henrietta's door, with Henrietta opening the door and seemingly invit
Lena hesitated for a long time before answering the call from Daniela. "Hello?"Daniela's voice sounded extremely urgent."Lena, I've just heard from Ava that you're not planning on dealing with Grayson for now. What do you mean by this?"When I told you to stay away from him, you did the opposite. And now when I'm telling you to go for it, you're doing the opposite again! What are you doing?"Lena replied, "Now isn't a good time.""Why not?"Lena's silence angered Daniela further. "Tell me! What are your plans?"Silence continued to fill the room for a while until Lena spoke up."Just tell me what you want me to do."The implication of her words was that she had no intention to tell Daniela about her personal matters.Daniela frowned."Lena, dear, listen. I'm the only one who cares about you in this world. We're in this together! Anything I tell you to do is for your own sake, do you understand?"Lena fell into silence once more.Daniela sighed. "I'm just worried about yo
Belle thanked Gabriel as she accepted the cup of tea.He then sat down on a nearby chair and tried to console Ginger."Ms. Walter's right. Henrietta's death has nothing to do with you. Don't be afraid of anything. We're here for you."Ginger frowned as she replied, "It's just that it happened all of a sudden… Do you think her ghost might come and haunt me?"Gabriel smiled. "She wouldn't dare to try.""Why not?""Because I'm here."Ginger muttered, "They say that spirits are afraid of evil people. It's not like you're evil, so why would she be afraid of you?"Gabriel tried to reassure her. "I'll just pretend to be evil to chase her away."She began to laugh. "You've always been a bookworm since you were young. Will you know how to act the part of a villain?""I can start learning."Gabriel maintained a bright smile throughout the conversation. He also seemed slightly embarrassed when Ginger brought up their childhood. He gave the impression of a kind, well-behaved young lad
Henry explained, "The Fleming family is one of the weaker ones compared to the rest of the mysterious families, but they hold a unique position as a neutral liaison of sorts that holds everyone together."They have two main sources of income. The first is that they're an information broker. The other is that they're a family of homegrown killers … They're hitmen for hire. It would seem that most of the murders among the aristocracy are done by the Flemings even though their price is high."Hiring the Flemings for help isn't easy either. They'll only take on a hit if the new client is recommended by existing clients. That's all I could find.""Mm, I see."Grayson hung up the phone and lit a cigarette.As he expected, the Flemings held a special role within the mysterious families. He believed that making a deal with them would kickstart their understanding of everyone else within this secret little social group.He began to think of ways to contact Gabriel.After some thought, he
Grayson tried to ease the troubled Belle."Go get some rest. You shouldn't be overthinking about anything when you're already tired, or else it's just going to end up in a cycle. You're really attached to Ginger, you know that?"Belle replied, "Of course, I am! She's my one and only female friend.""One and only? I thought you had two female friends?"Belle rolled her eyes in response."I can't believe you're stupid enough to believe that."She then stood up and headed upstairs.Grayson, surprisingly, was not angered despite being called stupid. "Had dinner yet?""Yeah, I already ate."His lips twitched in response, but he did not probe further.He had been waiting for her return to have dinner together, only to be surprised by the fact that she had already eaten.Grayson lost his appetite as he watched Belle head back into the bedroom. He could no longer enjoy having dinner by his lonesome.He decided to skip dinner and headed upstairs as well.He went into his study an
Finneas let out a long sigh."You're right. The Sanchez family doesn't share our values. I'll talk to Kent about it.""Okay."Grayson lit up another cigarette after hanging up.He then went into the bedroom after finishing his cigarette.Belle just came out from the shower, and her hair was still dripping wet.He habitually walked into the bathroom to help Belle blow dry her hair.As he approached her, Belle frowned in disgust."Have you been smoking again?"Grayson asked, "You could tell?""Of course, it's very obvious."He lifted up his arms and sniffed around. "I don't smell anything."Belle replied, "It's smelly as hell! You're just too used to it. What's so fun about smoking anyway? Just quit already!""I can't.""What do you mean, you can't? Everyone knows that you shouldn't smoke if you want to conceive a child. You'd better quit now or it might be too late."Grayson narrowed his eyes with excitement."You want to bear my child?"Belle almost choked to death fro
Belle continued, "I've asked Simon for recommendations, but he never found anything good. If you know some places, let me know.""I don't," answered Grayson.Belle pouted. "Why can't you help at all? I used to think that there was nothing you couldn't do."Grayson wasn't angry after being mocked. "I'm only human, after all."He would rather do the opposite. He would hinder her progress on resigning from his company and opening up a clinic.As of right now, he just wished for her to stay by his side.Sudden thoughts about New Year's popped into mind as he changed the topic."Have you decided where to celebrate New Year's with your grandpa?""Oh … I've completely forgotten about it. I'll give him a call now. Stop the hair dryer for a moment."Grayson did not comply. "Just a bit more. Your hair's still wet.""It's fine, it's fine." Belle stood up and headed to the balcony.Grayson stared at her, beginning to wonder if this was what it was like to look after children.He did no