Ste''s expression turned cold. "I don''t think there''s anything for us to talk about."


    With that, she stood up and walked toward the door.


    Leonard''s imposing figure blocked her path.


    Ste''s face paled slightly as she looked at him warily.


    "Leonard, what do you want?"


    Thinking of the tenderness she showed Joshuapared to the guarded look and cautious attitude she had toward him, Leonard felt his breath catch in his throat.


    "I''m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk."


    Ste nced toward the door, knowing that Manager Lawrence had been bought off by Leonard and wouldn''t being back.


    Although Leonard was no match for Joshua and had a prosthetic arm, her own skills were no match for a man who lived by violence. It was practically impossible.


    He could probably overpower her with just one hand.


    Ste hated being in the same room with someone like Leonard.


    She took a deep breath. "What do you want to talk about?"


    Leonard''s intense gaze fixed on her face. "Sit down first."


    Since he was asking her to sit, it meant he had no intention of letting her leave anytime soon.


    Ste shot him a look and chose a seat farthest from him.


    Leonard didn''t press her, instead sitting at a reasonable distance.


    He looked at Ste, his voice hoarse. "About what happened before... I was wrong.


    If there''s anypensation you want, you can ask for anything.


    As long as it''s within my power, I''ll do my best to make it up to you."


    For a moment, Ste thought she was hearing things.


    A man like Leonard could apologize?


    No, more urately, Leonard was apologizing to her?


    Ste had known from the beginning that Leonard had never respected her.


    And now, not only was he apologizing, but he was also offering topensate her.


    It was utterly terrifying.


    She even wondered if something was wrong with his head.


    A cruel man was predictable, but when he started ying mind games? That was the real nightmare first, he was chatting with her online, and now he was


    acting all humble.


    When a devil suddenly changes his ways, it''s not because he''s seen the light, but


    because a bigger trap is waiting.


    Ste never believed in free lunches.


    She frowned. "Leonard, what are you really trying to do?"


    He looked at her. "I just want to make it up to you."


    "Why?" Ste asked. "Because you found out I''m Summer, the painter you admire?"


    Leonard was silent for a few seconds. "No."


    "Then why?"


    He fell silent again.


    He knew that if he didn''t give her a usible reason, she would remain on guard.


    But he was never good with words,


    and he certainly couldn''t charm


    women the way


    .n


    could. He".


    couldn''t think of a logical, coherent


    excuse.


    The room descended into silence.


    Leonard didn''t speak, and neither did Ste.


    After what felt like an eternity, Leonard''s deep voice finally broke the quiet.


    "I want to be with you."


    "What?!" Ste eximed.


    Just as she was wondering if she had


    seeunderstood, Leonard make a decision


    stared at her, his gaze unwavering and focused.


    "Ste, I like you. I want to be with you."


    Ste was stunned for a second.


    The next, she shot up from her seat and hurried toward the door.


    She realized Leonard didn''t just have something wrong with his head he was insane.


    She couldn''t stay in the same room with a madman.


    When she had sat down, she''d been clever enough to choose the sofa closer to the


    door, making it easier to escape.