?Chapter 1696:


    “Not bad.”


    Patrick’s face grew more bewildered. Had he missed some dramatic changes in the vi during his overtime stretch? It all felt so unfamiliar. Aldrich remained unruffled, quietly perusing the day’s newspaper.


    After a moment, Patrick said, “Is there something going on between you two?” Before anyone could respond, Patrick waved off his own question, pping his forehead.


    “I must be delirious from the overtime. There’s nothing going on, right?”


    Patrick slumped onto the sofa, his attention turning back to Rhys in the kitchen.


    “Doesn’t Rhys seem odd today? I mean, Harlee wouldn’t have just forgiven him so quickly, right?”


    Patrick was visibly shaken. Upon learning that Harlee had relegated Rhys to the sofa, Patrick had limited his stay in the vi to less than half an hour at a time. Right now, he was stunned to discover that Harlee and Rhys had reconciled. It seemed he was the one left out of the loop.


    Alina finished her stretches, nced at Patrick, and offered a friendly warning.


    “Better not to gossip about Harlee and Rhys. Otherwise, next time, it won’t just be three all-nighters.”


    Aldrich, absorbed in his newspaper, nodded in agreement.


    Patrick’s eyes widened. Could it be that the notorious yboy Aldrich had a side that was calm andposed? Must be the sleep deprivation messing with his mind.


    Shaking his head, Patrick dragged his weary body toward his room for some much-needed rest.


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    Just then, Harlee descended the stairs in rxed loungewear. As she passed by Patrick, she paused to advise him, “Take one of Serena’s pills before you sleep.”


    She was concerned he might not wake up otherwise.


    “I know,” Patrick murmured, too tired to say more. He trudged back up to the third floor.


    Rhys emerged from the kitchen with a smile.


    “Breakfast’s ready.”


    Tsk. Rhys was using food to charm Harlee once more. Alina, ever perceptive, turned to Aldrich and said, “Let’s grab breakfast out. This ‘breakfast of love’ clearly isn’t meant for us.”


    Aldrich agreed immediately, and they left.


    Harlee watched them go, her eyebrows arching slightly in amusement, before following Rhys into the dining room. She had no intention of sharing the food Rhys had made.


    Seated at her usual spot, Harlee slowly savored a bite of peanut butter toast, her lips curling into a teasing smile.


    “The thrill before officially entering a rtionship is always fascinating,” she said.


    Rhys, coffee in hand, paused, gave her a yful look, and chuckled.


    “Our love is far more interesting,” he said definitively.


    Ignoring hisment, Harlee mused aloud, “When do you think Aldrich and Alina will officially be together?”


    “Want to make a bet?” Rhys asked, his voice softening.


    Harlee paused, toast in hand, looked up at him, and smiled coyly.


    “What’s at stake?”


    Rhys leaned in, his eyes intent on hers.


    “If I win, you have to sleep with me for the rest of your life. No more sofa for me.”


    He had been unhappy sleeping alone on the sofa and in the study recently. He missed being next to Harlee at night.


    “If you lose…”


    Harlee wiggled her feet, a smirk ying on her lips. Her tone was yful.


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