Has Leonard lost his mind?


    This was M''s first thought as she tried to process the bizarre situation.


    Who could me her?


    Leonard was the Montgomery family''s trusted right-hand man, raised and trained by the family from a young age to be utterly loyal, answering only to the head of the family. Even the extended branches of the Montgomery n had to show him respect, as he stood just below the family patriarch in power and influence.


    Naturally, his authority extended beyond that of M, the so-called legitimatedy of the Montgomery family.


    For the past seven years, Lysander had treated her with icy indifference. Whenever she displeased him, he would send Leonard to deal with her. Leonard, known for his curt demeanor, had witnessed her at her most vulnerable and humiliated.


    But this? This was new.


    To M, Leonard''s sudden disy of kindness seemed utterly absurd, just another facet of the same hypocrisy that ran through Lysander''s veins.


    A wolf in sheep''s clothing!


    M pressed a hand against Leonard''s chest, her voice cold and firm. "Put me down!"


    Leonard remained unmoved. "Ma''am, your leg is injured. You can''t walk."


    "I don''t need your help!"


    Ignoring her protest, Leonard carefully wrapped his suit jacket around her to avoid direct contact, and with his other hand, he opened the door and carried her out.


    M seethed with frustration.


    This dog of Lysander''s was as stubborn as his master!


    "You power-hungry mutt!"


    She turned her face into his chest, not wanting the onlookers to see her face, and muttered the insult, unable to hold back.


    Leonard paused, his heart skipping a beat. But he quickly regained hisposure.


    His steps were steady, each one causing the light figure in his arms to sway gently, the subtle scent of jasmine enveloping him.


    At M''s insistence, Leonard ced her in the car she had driven, then took the driver''s seat himself, heading towards Crimson Gardens.


    He stopped briefly at a pharmacy to buy some ointment for her bruised leg.


    M watched him coldly, thinking he must be out of his mind. When he used to follow Lysander''s orders to torment her, he had never shown this level of concern.


    Just like his boss, full of pretense!


    ...


    Soon, they arrived at Crimson Gardens.


    This time, M didn''t wait for Leonard to help. She opened the car door and hobbled towards the house.


    Harper, one of the household staff, saw her and was both surprised and pleased. "Ma''am, you''re back!"


    She called out happily, but quickly noticed something was wrong and helped M onto the sofa.


    "Oh my, what happened to you, ma''am? You look hurt!"


    Leonard followed them inside and handed over the ointment. "She hurt her leg. This is for the injury."


    M let out a derisive chuckle.


    "Okay, okay."


    Harper epted the ointment, still trying to make sense of Leonard''s presence and unusual behavior.


    "Mom, you''re back!"


    Adrian, M''s young son, had heard themotion and raced downstairs, expecting to see his father. He was momentarily surprised but quickly delighted to see M and ran to her.


    He hadn''t seen his mother in a while, and being reunited was a joy.


    M, caught off guard by his enthusiastic hug, winced as her back hit the sofa, pain shooting through her.


    "Mom, what''s wrong?"


    Adrian was puzzled, noticing she wasn''t her usual affectionate self.


    "Young master, your mother isn''t feeling well. Be gentle."


    Leonard stepped in, picking Adrian up and gently setting him aside. His usually


    cold demeanor softened slightly in the boy''s presence.


    "Your father''s wish is for you to keep your motherpany today. Don''t cause trouble."


    Since it was his father''s wish, Adrian nodded obediently.


    "Okay, Mr. Leonard."


    After a few more instructions, Leonard left the vi.


    ...


    M refused Harper''s offer to stay by her side and made her way upstairs to her bedroom.