When Leonie said something had happened, she was probably talking about Dad being hospitalized.


    After that, Mom took over both the Langford Group and Grandpa''s Golden Era Enterprises, but she managed them with aid-back attitude. Thepanies stopped expanding, and there were no more aggressive takeovers.


    In my memory, Mom was always gentle.


    Gwh lowered her eyes, feeling a warm sting behind her eyelids.


    "I can''t hide forever, can I?"


    As soon as she said it, Gwh felt as if something inside her had clicked. The words surprised even herself.


    Leonie grinned, "Who said forever? You just have to prove to my uncle that you and I are really friends, and that you mean me no harm. Once he''s satisfied, he won''t give you a hard time, and you''ll be free to go."


    Gwh understood then. Leonie was keeping her here because she was afraid her uncle might cause trouble otherwise.


    "All right," Gwh agreed, deciding it was best to just go along with Leonie for


    now.


    "So, do you have any friends here in Greenvale? Got a job, or just here to have fun?"


    Leonie was clearly in a gossipy mood.


    Looking at Leonie''s open, unguarded face, Gwh suddenly felt the urge to share. "I was working at a design firm, but I just quit. I used to have a boyfriend-"


    Not that he really counted as one, Gwh thought. She needed something to talk about, but didn''t want to share anything real, so she casually brought up her half-hearted, forgettable rtionship with Bill Crawford.


    "Ooh, a boyfriend? What''s his name? What''s his story? Tell me everything!"


    Leonie was instantly interested. Gwh told her about Bill Crawford, even giving his full name.


    "Oh, Bill Crawford? He''s not exactly a catch, you know."


    As a housekeeper brought in a tray of fruit and pastries, Leonie pulled Gwh onto the cozy sofa to chat.


    "You know him?" Gwh was surprised.


    Leonie rolled her eyes. "Of course. Greenvale isn''t huge, you know. Our family- the Everharts—are at the top, and the Crawfords are at the bottom. It''s impossible not to know them. And let me tell you, their son is seriously bad news. You did the right thing breaking it off."


    She leaned closer, grinning mischievously. "So, do you like handsome guys?" Gwh''s heart skipped. She had no idea where this was going.


    “My older brother—he''s twenty-eight and still hasn''t found a girlfriend. He''s always buried in work at hispany. My parents are practically losing their minds. He''s a hundred times better than that Bill Crawford, character-wise. How about I introduce you when he gets home?"


    Leonie''s enthusiasm was infectious. She really seemed to like Gwh-a kind of instant, inexplicable friendship. Turns out, it''s not just fate between men and women; sometimes women just click, too.


    Gwh just smiled, assuming Leonie was joking. After a messy breakup, and with her own problems still unresolved, she had zero interest in starting something


    new.


    "Don''t worry, my brother''s nothing like my uncle. He''s easygoing and friendly. And he''s good-looking and a genuinely nice guy. I haven''t liked any of the girls my parents lined up for him, but you... you seem perfect for him."


    Gwh almostughed. Wasn''t Leonie''s brother getting married for himself? What did her opinion matter?


    Honestly, it wasn''t much of a conversation-Leonie did all the talking.


    Just then, a maid appeared in the doorway. "Miss, Mrs. Everhart asks that you


    bring Miss Langford downstairs. The young master is home for lunch."


    The moment Leonie heard her brother was back, she grabbed Gwh''s hand. "See? You and my brother really are fated! He almost neveres home for lunch. Come on, introduce you. Just take a look-doesn''t hurt, right?"


    Leonie was clearly ying matchmaker, and Gwh let herself be swept along.


    Mrs. Everhart watched from thending as her daughter and Gwh descended the stairs, both of them wearing faint, radiant smiles.


    Leonie was still as lively as ever, while Gwh remained calm andposed. There was a quiet confidence in her every gesture, along with a natural grace that set her apart.


    "Mr. and Mrs. Everhart, thank you for having me," Gwh greeted politely.


    "You helped Leonie; you''re our guest now. No need to stand on ceremony," Mrs. Everhart replied warmly. She was quite pleased with the friend Leonie had brought home-so much better than the usual crowd of shallow hangers-on.


    You can fake a lot, but true poise and elegance can''t be imitated.


    Just then, a cheerful, slightly husky male voice called out before its owner appeared.


    "Hey, do we have a guest?"


    Gwh looked over to see a man in a simple athletic jacket heading toward the dining room. He was tall and striking, his features sharp and expressive. The resemnce to Leonie was obvious, but he was even more handsome.


    Still, he was a little too youngcking the quiet, maic presence of Leonie''s uncle.


    Oh, stop it—


    Gwh caught herself. What was she thinking? She''d only met Leonie''s uncle once, and here she was,paring him to her brother.


    She''d dated Bill Crawford for over six months, and he''d never upied her thoughts for ten uninterrupted minutes; now her mind was wandering all over the ce.


    "Hey, let me introduce you!" Leonie


    chirped. "Gwh''s my new friend-she''s from Starfall City. If it weren''t for her, I''d have tumbled off


    the mountain today. And she''s single. Looks like she just quit her job, too. Are you hiring?"


    Gwh thought Leonie was just making conversation, but she was actually introducing her to her brother—maybe even suggesting she join Layne Everhart''spany.


    Layne studied Gwh for a moment, as if something had just urred to him. He shed a wry smile. "Langford, from Starfall City?"


    Gwh''s heart skipped again. Was he onto something? But after a tense pause, he said nothing more.


    "Mypany''s in design-mostly jewelry. We specialize in emeralds. Interested, Miss Langford?"