It was better to use this opportunity to think of a way out.


    Slowly, a chilling calm settled over Aurora.


    She nced at Simone, a cold light flickering in her eyes.


    The reporters surged toward the bathroom. Finding it locked, they threw theirbined weight against the door, breaking it open.


    The scene inside stunned them into silence yet again.


    Leonard was indeed in the bathroom, but he was submerged in the bathtub, fully clothed.


    The moment the door flew open, a wave of frigid air washed over them. The room was so cold that a few of the reporters couldn''t help but sneeze.


    "Achoo!"


    Leonard had been soaking in ice-cold water all night. His face was pale to the point of translucence. His eyes had been closed, but at themotion, they slowly


    fluttered open.


    As his gaze fell upon the crowd of reporters huddled in the doorway, a menacing, dark glint appeared in his eyes.


    "Get out."


    His voice was low and hoarse, stripped of its usual authority by extreme weakness. And yet, the reporters flinched as if struck. The air grew heavy, and they found it hard to breathe. None of them dared to raise their cameras to his face.


    They had almost forgotten that even in his weakened state, Leonard Lerman was the head of a powerful family. He was known for his ruthlessness; those who crossed him met terrible ends.


    After a hasty exchange of nces, the reporters scurried out of the room like frightened mice.


    Feeling the effects of the drug finally subside, Leonard rose from the tub. Icy water streamed from his clothes, pooling on the floor. He must have been submerged for too long; his muscles were stiff and numb, and he could barely stand.


    Just then, a hand gently steadied him.


    Simone kept her head down, too guilty to meet his eyes. "Brother..."


    She couldn''t understand why he would rather endure a night in freezing water than touch Aurora.


    Leonard''s dark eyes, fixed on her, were as cold and unforgiving as stone.


    He bit out a single word. "Phone."


    Simone didn''t dare disobey. She meekly handed her phone to him.


    Leonard''s hand was as cold and stiff as a corpse''s; he couldn''t even dial. That''s when his other arm, the prosthetic came into y. He use it to punch in a number.


    The call was answered almost immediately.


    "Deal with those reporters," Leonard


    said, his voice a frigid monotonene


    dont want to hear a single


    rumor about me and Aurora."


    Nearby, Aurora watched as he methodically took control of the situation, aplex expression on her face. Not only had he not touched her, but he was also


    vel


    suppressing the news. He showed no intention of taking responsibility or proposing marriage.


    She should have been relieved.


    But for some reason, the relief she expected never came. Instead, a strange sense of loss settled in its ce.


    After finishing the call, Leonard hung up. He saw Sellers, who had appeared at


    some point, but showed no surprise.


    "Take Aurora home," he said tly.


    Sellers gave him a long, searching look but ultimately said nothing.


    "Aurora, let''s go," he said in a low voice.


    Aurora didn''t argue. "Alright."


    ...


    In a building across the street, Joshua Gardner lowered a pair of binocrs, his


    eyes as deep and dark as a starless night.


    He turned to Harold beside him. "Spread the news about Aurora and Leonard immediately. I want those two tied together for good."