He gave them a slight smile.


    The young men, however, looked as if they''d seen a ghost. They quickly averted their gaze, not daring to look at him for fear of invoking his protector''s wrath.


    Leonard watched it all unfold, his expression impassive, his eyes dark and heavy. He had lost his power and be a pariah, and Aurora was no longer willing to even be seen with him. Yet Ste had brought a "bodyguard" as her date to a formal g, seemingly unconcerned about how it would degrade her own status.


    To ensure Joshua wouldn''t be bullied again, she had publicly defended him,pletely ignoring the stares and whispers, willing to shoulder a bad reputation for his sake.


    In contrast, when Aurora had seen him approaching her, she had said, "Leonard, wait for me in the back garden. I''lle find you in a bit." While she hadn''t explicitly avoided him, the distance was clear.


    At the time, he hadn''t thought much of it. In fact, he had considered it a sign of special treatment that Aurora, who always admired strength, hadn''t changed her attitude toward him despite his fall. But now, his heart felt heavy with an inexplicable tightness.


    The back garden was serene, with a central fountain casting crystalline droplets into the air, adding a cool touch to the night. He heard the light patter of footsteps behind him, followed by a woman''s clear, gentle voice.


    "Leonard."


    Aurora stood there in a magnificent beige gown that entuated her graceful figure. She tilted her head slightly, and a pair of diamond earrings shimmered, catching the light. Standing under the covered walkway, she was breathtakingly beautiful, like the moon reflected in a tranquil pond—an ethereal image that seemed as if it would shatter at the slightest touch.


    Unaware of the change in Leonard''s demeanor, she asked softly, "Leonard, did you need to see me about something?"


    "Why didn''t you ask me to be your escort to the g tonight?" he asked directly.


    Aurora was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a question. She felt that some things should be


    understood without being said That was, after all, why she had been willing to befriend him out of all her admirers. Though she thought this, she was too clever to say it aloud.


    She smiled. "I assumed you wouldn''t be attending gs for a while, Leonard, so I didn''t ask."


    "I have another g to attend in a few days," he said. "Will you be my date?" Aurora''s eyes flickered. She paused for a few seconds before replying, "I have a project I need to work on soon, so I''m afraid I won''t have the time..."


    Before she could finish, Leonard''s voice cut in, low and firm. "Then when will you have time?"


    "Well... I''m not sure when I''ll be free," she hedged.


    "So you''re saying you won''t be attending any more gs until your project is finished?"


    A heavy silence fell between them. Of course she would still be attending gs.


    Leonard looked at her, a humorless smile ying on his lips. "Aurora, are you ashamed of me too?"


    Aurora knew she could no longer feign ignorance. She sighed softly. "Leonard, thought you understood truly looked down an you,


    me


    Wave spent so much time


    talking with you in the garden back then."


    She met his gaze, her expression


    serious. "Leonard, we are both pursuing the same goals. I know that recent events have affected


    you, but I believe in your ability. You I WithSurely ovee this challenge."


    Leonard understood. Aurora was reminding him of his ce.


    After a long silence, he finally said, "I understand. You should get back to your business."