Leah couldn’t find Griffith Squire, and disappointed, she called Cornelius Turner and Uncle Hao to see if they had any news.

For the past few years, Cornelius Turner and Uncle Hao have remained in the Golden Triangle, guarding the territory previously secured by Griffith Squire. Cornelius Turner also hesitated and couldn’t provide any useful information, leaving Leah to return to Switzerland with a heavy heart.

Before leaving, Leah left her two kittens in Hawk Howard’s care. After being away for nearly two months, the first thing she did upon returning was to visit the cats.

Richard Shaw watched her impatiently head next door to Hawk Howard’s house, his brow furrowed enough to tie knots, but he said nothing. Now, Griffith Squire posed a greater danger than Hawk Howard.

The Military District had confirmed that the person seen two months ago was indeed Griffith Squire. Richard Shaw could only deduce that the reason Griffith had left Leah with him, yet remained hidden and inactive, was merely to plot everything and exact thorough revenge.

Leah carried the specialty goods she brought back from the airport and knocked on Hawk Howard’s door. Hawk Howard’s teaching job was part-time, he only occasionally went to class, so when Leah arrived, he was in the kitchen. The man was wearing a beige sweater and an apron as he came out to open the door for her, noticing her arms laden with items, he raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Is this my reward for two months of being a cat steward?"

"Exactly, catch them quickly, I feel like my hands are going to freeze off." Leah shoved the items into Hawk Howard’s arms, and upon entering the house, she smelled the aroma and couldn’t help but smile, "What delicious dish are you making?"

"Bone broth, plenty of it, want to have dinner here?" Hawk Howard placed the items on the table and smiled faintly, "You just returned, haven’t cooked at home yet, right."

"Richard Shaw and I ate out, but I could still have a bowl of soup." Leah smiled with her eyes curved, and then went to check on her two cats.

She had a special fondness for ragdoll cats, owning no less than five or six at the Shaw Mansion, and had raised two more in Switzerland.

The two adorable cats snuggled in a cozy cat bed, mewing when they saw Leah return, and then, well, that was it.

Leah suddenly felt distressed, wondering if people and their cats end up having similar temperaments. Hawk Howard was usually quite aloof, and having taken care of her cats for two months, they now shared his disposition.

Leah took out the cat food she brought and coaxed the two kittens, playing with them for quite a while until they became familiar and affectionate.

"Go wash your hands and drink the soup, all you do is obsess over your cats." Hawk Howard snorted in a lecturing tone.

Leah obediently went to wash her hands, feeling puzzled at how, despite knowing each other for only half a year, they seemed like old friends. And Hawk Howard didn’t show the slightest courtesy towards her.

After drying her hands and smelling the rich aroma of bone broth, Leah took a sip, beaming and praising, "Caspian, is there any left? I want to take some back for Richard Shaw to try, your cooking skills are way better than his."

Caspian’s eyes deepened slightly at her mention of Richard Shaw, as he looked at Leah’s uniquely captivating features and brilliant smile, he replied gravely, "No more."

For the past six months, staying next door to the two had been a self-inflicted wound; Richard Shaw would flaunt their love at every sight of him. Caspian also knew the two were now living together, but having decided she was Crystal Landon, he could not leave her unchecked.

Leah knew nothing of the past. She knew nothing, and if she remembered everything, how heartbreaking would it be—he must stay by her side to support her through hard times.

"I saw lots just now; do you dislike Richard Shaw? You two bicker every time you meet." Leah wrinkled her nose and said with an affronted tone.

"He stole the girl I had a crush on, so I’ve hated him to the bone ever since." Hawk Howard replied coolly as he arranged the pickled side dishes sent from home in small plates and pushed them in front of her.

Leah nearly spat her soup as she looked at his charming, gentle visage and chuckled, "That girl was really unlucky; I think you’re way better than Richard Shaw."

Saying this, Leah flattered him with a smile, feeling the need to express appreciation for all the benefits Hawk Howard had provided her.

Hawk Howard’s smile held a trace of reminiscence, recalling her aloof, cool demeanor in high school, yet she was essentially a quirky teenager—otherwise why would she dive in knowing Richard Shaw didn’t like her?

Now that Richard Shaw had discovered her charm and sought to regain her favor, she had lost her memory. Hawk Howard both hoped she might recall everything and simultaneously wished she wouldn’t recollect such painful experiences.

Protecting her had become a habit, a habit to the extent that he no longer sought any payback. As long as he could watch over her, he would continue to do so.

"Indeed very unlucky, later she got blown up by a bomb twice, with no remains left." Hawk Howard laughed self-deprecatingly, his face tinged with sadness.

Leah could no longer smile; it was the first time that Caspian had mentioned this matter in front of her, and she instinctively knew who he was talking about.

"Are you serious, you were in love with Richard Shaw’s ex-wife?" Leah asked softly, with a hint of sympathy in her gaze.

"Yes, I even taught her. I tutored her for a year to get into university after she failed the college entrance exam. But she was naturally clever and would have succeeded without me." Hawk Howard restrained himself from discussing the past too much, smiled slightly, and said, "Leave the two cats with me; I think you’ll find yourself returning home soon."

"Caspian, you’re amazing." Leah exclaimed in surprise, "I’m heading home to see little Delphine, aren’t you coming back with us?"

Caspian lowered his eyes and didn’t respond; he’d naturally return too, as Imperial City might be particularly bustling this year.

"We’ll see then, quickly drink the soup before it gets cold." Hawk Howard said mildly with lowered eyes.

After Leah finished the bone broth and was about to play with the two ragdoll cats, Richard Shaw came over and knocked on the door.

Leah suddenly realized she had spent too long there, said goodbye to Hawk Howard, and followed Richard Shaw home.

Hawk Howard cleared the bowls and utensils on the table, walked to the window, and watched Leah adorably pushing Richard Shaw’s wheelchair as they chatted intimately, making their way through the green grass home.

The man stood at the window for a long time, unable to pull himself out of his reverie, his slender fingertips resting on the windowsill, feeling a bit of biting coldness.

Seeing that the two were out of sight, Hawk Howard then returned to continue cleaning the bowls and utensils, washing them thoroughly, and afterward made a phone call, casually saying, "Leah is back. When do you plan to meet her?"

"I’ve returned home already. When she returns, I’ll take her to the South Seas; it’s been a tough six-plus months for you." A man’s sultry voice came from the phone.

"No need to thank me, I would look after her in Switzerland even if you didn’t contact me." Hawk Howard replied plainly.