She rushed to exin to Gwh, and Gwh quickly understood.
That was the creep from earlier that night who''d tried to assault Leonie.
"Uncle "
Leonie swallowed hard. The man sat in the front passenger seat, staring straight ahead.
"I-I promise I''ll never go out with strangers again."
Leonie confessed before anyone could scold her.
The man stayed silent. Gwh, remembering the guy who''d been dumped into the other car, felt a chill run down her spine.
"Miss Langford, where are you from?"
The man finally spoke, and Gwh''s heart skipped a beat. Now it was her turn.
A stranger in an unfamiliar city, with no one to turn to-she couldn''t exactly call for help and give herself away.
"Starfall City," she answered honestly.
For the first time, a flicker of something other than ice appeared on the man''s face.
"That''s several thousand miles away. Your family trusts you out here alone?"
Gwh tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, covering her nerves with the small gesture-the same way Leonie did.
Of course they didn''t trust her alone, which was why she kept her calls brief, sharing only good news and leaving out the rest.
Leonie clung affectionately to Gwh''s arm. "Uncle, don''t you agree it''s not safe for Gwh to be here by herself? I''ve already decided-she''ll stay at my ce and keep mepany. She loves hiking and camping too—"
Gwh nced at Leonie''s hand on her arm. No wonder a sleazy thug had
almost tricked her-Leonie was too trusting. They''d only known each other for a few hours, and already she was acting like they were lifelong friends.
"Still haven''t learned your lesson?"
The man finally shot Leonie a look in the rearview mirror.
Leonie stuck out her tongue and fell silent.
"My family''s in Starfall
City-middle ss, nothing fancy. Life moves too fast there for me,
sol came to Greenvale. I won''t be here long just clearing my head for a bit before I go home."
and I love the southern climate et
The man was the only person Gwh had ever told the truth to.
Bill Crawford, after half a year of dating, still thought she was just a broke recent graduate.
She''d thought he was decent-turned out he was trash.
Leonie beamed. "See, Uncle? I told you Gwh''s a good person with nothing to hide."
The car left the city center and kept heading toward the canal. Eventually, they pulled into a gatedmunity with sprawling garden estates. It took another twenty minutes before the car finally slowed down.
The buildings were full of old-world charm, evoking the feel of a southern European riverside town Gwh felt like she''d stepped into another era. When the heavy front gates swung open, the weight of centuries seemed to settle around her, making her breathless with awe.
A light rain still fell from the dark sky. Lanterns swayed gently under the covered walkway, their glow softened by the drizzle and breeze. The house staff, spotting Leonie, broke into wide smiles.
"Sir, ma''am, Miss Leonie and Mr. Everhart are back."
In the grand foyer, Gwh spotted a middle-aged couple sitting on the sofa. As soon as they saw Leonie, they jumped up. Leonie rushed into the woman''s arms, clinging to her and acting every bit the pampered child.
"Mom-"
"Leonie, where were you all night? Are you hurt?"
Mrs. Everhart was so relieved she almost cried.
Leonie had never stayed out overnight before. When she hadn''te home the previous evening, the entire Everhart family had been frantic.
"She''s fine. She just went hiking," the man exined.
Mr. Everhart looked at him. "Hawthorne, thank you. I know how busy you are, and
you still helped us look for her."
Hawthorne Everhart replied coolly, "No need, brother. Now that Leonie''s home, I have to get back to the office."
"Uncle,e visit whenever you have time!" Leonie called, secretly d her uncle was leaving.
Gwh wanted to leave too, but Hawthorne spoke first.
"Miss Langford, where are you staying? I''ll give you a ride."