The dose she had gathered was enough to make Leonard sleep through the entire night. By now, Ste had already located where the helicopter was kept.


    Leonard didn''t have a phone or anymunication devices, which meant the helicopter had to be on the ind. He wouldn''t leave himself stranded, waiting for someone to pick him up. If an emergency urred, he''d bepletely cut off. A man as meticulous as Leonard would never overlook such a detail.


    So, Ste had been searching for the helipad. The ind wasrge, equipped with all the necessary facilities for daily life. It had taken her several days just to find the helicopter. She didn''t dare get too close, for fear of being discovered by Leonard. That was why she hade up with the n to use the medicinal tonic as a cover to gather herbs and create a sleeping draught.


    Her n was set: once Leonard was unconscious, she would go to the helipad, overpower the pilot, and force him to fly her away from there. Staring at the steaming broth, Ste''s eyes were dark with purpose.


    After the broth was ready, she poured the herbs she had ground into a fine powder into the pot. Though it was only a sedative and not a poison, this was the first time she had done something like this, and against someone like Leonard, she couldn''t help but feel nervous.


    Just as she was about to put the small paper packet away, a shadow fell over her. Ste''s heart leaped into her throat. She looked up and saw Leonard standing right behind her, having appeared without a sound.


    Panic surged through her, but she kept her expression perfectlyposed. She calmly tossed the now-empty paper packet into the trash. Leonard didn''t know anything about herbs; he might not notice anything.


    "What are you doing here?" she asked.


    "I just felt likeing to see you," Leonard replied, his dark eyes like deep pools.


    Ste discreetly studied his expression, but as always, it was unreadable. Cold sweat slicked her palms. Unsure if he had seen anything, she could only say, "Go upstairs. I''ll bring this up to you when it''s ready."


    Leonard just watched her, his dark eyes deep and inscrutable. "Alright."


    He turned and walked out, surprisinglypliant. Once he was gone, Ste''s brow furrowed. There were no security cameras inside the house a precaution against being hacked. But the timing of Leonard''s arrival couldn''t have been worse. Her decision felt incredibly risky now. If he had noticed something, she might never leave this ce alive. But it was toote to second-guess herself.


    Taking a deep breath, Ste carried the broth upstairs. Leonard was in the study, reading. With no


    electronics ormunication


    devices the house was in


    filled


    with books. He often spent his free


    time reading and didn''t hover around her constantly.


    Ste knocked and entered, cing the bowl in front of him. "I made some


    adjustments to this batch, specifically for your health."


    Leonard nced down at the broth, an unreadable light shing in his deep eyes. "Thank you for your hard work."


    He stared at the steaming bowl. "It''s a bit hot."


    Ste''s eyes flickered. "Then let it cool before you drink it."


    His gaze was profound, his voice devoid of emotion. "But I want to drink it now."


    Ste fell silent for a moment, then began to stir the broth with a spoon to coolit down. About ten minutester Leonard asked, "Is it cool now?" content belongs to.


    "It should be," she replied.


    "Then feed me," he said.


    Ste''s eyes widened slightly, but she kept her face impassive. "If you don''t want to drink it, then don''t."


    Leonard''s dark eyes locked onto hers. "How could I not want to drink something you spent so much effort preparing just for me?"