Keaton had already opened the door with facial recognition.


    "I only stay here asionally, but I keep a lot of good wine. Come on in."


    Winona snapped out of her thoughts and followed him into the vi.


    In the dressing room by the entrance, an entire wall was filled with clear disy cases. But instead of handbags, the cases were filled with pairs of men''s shoes.


    They were all limited-edition designer brands-running shoes, sneakers, casual shoes, and dress shoes...


    Winona asked curiously, "You like collecting shoes?"


    Keaton grunted in agreement. Seeing her staring, he immediately said, "These are all men''s shoes, nothing you''d like, right? Let me be clear, even if you did like a pair, I wouldn''t give them to you. These are my collection!"


    Winona replied, "I like collecting shoes too, but I only collect women''s shoes. And I have way more than you do!"


    Keaton was surprised. "A fellow enthusiast! This is just the tip of the iceberg. I''ll take you to my ce sometime, my whole basement is full of them."


    Keaton owned multiple properties, so Winona didn''t know which one he was talking about, nor did she particrly care. She asked him, "Do you have any women''s slippers here?"


    "Nope."


    Winona was curious. "No girls have ever been here?"


    Keaton said, "This is my secret hideout. I don''t just bring anyone here. You''re the firstdy to visit. Happy now?"


    Winona: "...So what am I supposed to wear?"


    Keaton handed her a pair of his own slippers. "Make do with these. I''ve only worn them once."


    Winona wasn''t fussy. She took off her coat and shoes, slipped on his slippers, and walked into the house.


    The vi was situated right on the coast, decorated mainly in a modern style of ck, white, and gray-clean, simple, and stylish.


    The entire wall facing the sea was made of floor-to-ceiling windows.


    Standing before them, you could see the vast expanse of the ocean and a lighthouse in the distance. The light on the tower was on, shining like a bright star, gurding sailors on their way.


    Part of the reason she had fallen in love with this ce back then was because she could see that lighthouse.


    She couldn''t exin why she liked it; she just saw it in the brochure and wanted to buy it.


    Thinking about it now, Keaton was right. Zane definitely didn''t deserve a house this beautiful! It would have been a waste on someone like him.


    Keaton saw her staring into space and asked with a twinkle in his eye, "You like my ce?"


    Winona didn''t hide it. "A ce this nice? Who wouldn''t like it?"


    Keaton said, "I have a lot of properties and don''t stay here often. If you like it, you can stay here."


    Winona was taken aback. "Give it to me?!"


    Keaton immediately rified, "I can''t *give it to you, but you''re wee to stay here! I''m quite fond of that lighthouse so can''t give the house away. But as friends, you cane here to rx whenever you want."


    He really was generous with his friends, Winona thought.


    Although she loved the ce, she still refused. It was someone else''s home, after


    all. What would it look like if she just moved in? Even between friends, there had to be boundaries.


    "I appreciate the thought."


    Keaton said, "You don''t have to be so formal with me. After all, you''re not my friend anymore, you''re my venerated ancestor!"


    Winona was speechless. "..."


    Keaton grinned and held up the takeout bags. "I''m going to te this stuff. You can look around the house."


    P


    He had already taken off his jacket, and his shirtsleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong, powerful forearms. Like Tarquin Bradford, Keaton had the kind of athletic build that appeared lear under a tailored shirt, but hinted at the raw, powerful muscle beneath the fabric.


    Winona nced around but decided against exploring. She saw him ce the takeout on the marble ind and bend down to get some clean tes, so she walked over to help.


    "It''s already in boxes. Why bother ting it?"