Holding her as they returned to the room, he settled her onto the bed, then turned to walk into the bathroom. Before closing the door, he glanced back at Vera.

The little girl huddled under the covers, smiling and waving at him, which finally put his mind at ease to close the door and take a shower.

On the pillow, Vera’s smile gradually faded.

She understood Kris Cooper’s dilemma and didn’t want to show too much negative emotion in front of him.

But thinking of someone she grew up with and regarded as her brother doing such a thing, her heart was heavy and stifled.

"Brother Nathan, I hope... you won’t let me down!"

...

...

The car drove into the villa community and stopped outside the villa where Nathan Leafcastle lived. Sally Dalton unfastened the car door and followed Nathan Leafcastle up the steps.

Nathan Leafcastle opened the door, and she stepped inside.

"Nathan, is something on your mind?"

This afternoon, Sally Dalton’s father flew in from Singapore, and the two of them went to the airport to pick him up and later accompanied him for dinner.

During this, Nathan Leafcastle was as cheerful as usual, but Sally Dalton still noticed something off about him; he seemed somewhat absent-minded.

"Me?" Nathan Leafcastle gently shook his head, "No, why would you ask that?"

"But..." Sally Dalton frowned slightly, observing his face, "You don’t look well. Haven’t you been sleeping well on your recent business trip?"

"It’s nothing, don’t worry." Nathan Leafcastle lifted the corners of his lips towards her, and then walked into the living room, "Did the chairman come here this time for any special reason?"

"Nothing special, just attending a meeting in Japan. Since it was rescheduled, he had a few free days, so he came to visit." Sally Dalton handed him a glass of water, placing it in his hand before sitting down beside him, "Nathan, I know you’ve always wanted to achieve something, but... there’s no need to rush. Everything takes time."

Nathan Leafcastle nodded slightly, "It’s getting late, you should rest early."

"Then... what about you?"

"I still have some work left."

Sally Dalton’s gaze dimmed. Since Liliana Davis had her incident, he hadn’t touched her, not even a kiss on the lips.

Originally, she thought it was due to his mother’s passing, so she didn’t give it much thought.

But... after all this time, had he still not moved on?

Reaching out to hold his knee, Sally Dalton spoke gently.

"Work is never-ending, take care of your health." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"I’ll be quick."

He said, as if he were about to get up.

Sally Dalton raised her hand, blocking his chest, confusing Nathan Leafcastle as he turned to see her leaning closer.

With a palm on his shoulder, she gently kissed the side of his ear.

"Nathan, please don’t work tonight, okay?"

For Sally Dalton, who always held back, such initiative wasn’t easy.

She didn’t truly want anything intimate, she just hoped he could return to a normal life since people pass away, but life goes on.

Nathan Leafcastle’s lips moved slightly, about to speak, but the girl’s lips already pressed against his, silencing him.

Her hand slid from his shoulder to cover his palm.

Before Nathan Leafcastle’s eyes flashed Vera’s face, he raised his hand to hold her waist and pressed her onto the sofa. Upon catching sight of her face, the trace of excitement in his eyes vanished.

Sally Dalton looked somewhat embarrassed at his chest, her hand raising to help unbutton his shirt.

...

...

Good night, little princesses~!~