?Chapter 773:


    Louis then drove Elena and Kiera back to Hillside Manor.


    Kiera was noticeably quieter than usual during the drive.


    While Kiera was typically reserved, Louis sensed a deeper sadness in her silence.


    Logically, it would have made sense for Louis to drop Kiera off at the Johnson family’s estate first, but instead, he opted to leave Elena at home before proceeding with Kiera.


    After Elena exited the vehicle, Louis turned to Kiera. “Come sit in the front,” he said.


    Kiera hesitated, ying with her fingers, and softly declined by shaking her head.


    With a click of his tongue and a yful tone, Louis said, “I’ll pull you to the front if I have to. Come on, move up here.”


    The sound of his voice made it clear to Kiera that if she refused, he truly woulde over and drag her out himself. She pressed her lips into a thin line, hershes trembling ever so slightly, the tightness in her chest growing worse.


    After a long pause filled with dread, she finally slid into the passenger seat.


    As she settled in, Louis leaned closer, causing her to reflexively look up. Noticing her teary eyes, Louis’s demeanor shifted from yful to concerned, his smile vanishing. “Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice deep with concern.


    Kiera attempted to look away, but Louis gently held her chin, preventing her from turning her head.


    “Are you slipping away to be sad by yourself again? Kiera, what did I say to you?” Louis stared straight into her teary eyes, his gaze steady and unyielding. “I told you not to carry your sadness alone. You’re supposed to tell me what’s bothering you. Did that slip your mind?”


    Kiera knew she shouldn’t iste herself with her feelings, yet she couldn’t pinpoint the source of her sudden sorrow. A tightness enveloped her chest, spreading an unfamiliar pain that left her feeling adrift, longing for the solitude of her room.


    Under Louis’s earnest gaze, she felt even more vulnerable, herplexion draining of color as hershes fluttered uneasily.


    Louis exhaled gently, his voice growing tender as he sought tofort Kiera. “Sorry, I was too harsh earlier. That was my mistake.”


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    He secured her seatbelt, asking softly, “What’s troubling you right now?”


    Kiera found it difficult to articte her feelings and merely shook her head in response.


    Louis, recognizing her hesitation, felt a sense of resignation wash over him. His only option was to continue pampering her, as he had always done.


    Lightly pinching her cheek, he teased, “I’ll forgive you this time, but if you hide your feelings again, I might just nibble on your cheek.”


    Upon returning home, Louis discovered that A Dream Within a Dream had grossed over a hundred million at the box office in just half a day, creating a buzz online.


    The article’sment section overflowed with praise.


    “Absolutely stunning! Everyone needs to see this movie!”


    “This is the finest film of the year. Lena and Louis have outdone themselves!”


    “Louis consistently delivers—another hit!”


    “Louis and Francesca would make a dream couple for fans.”


    “Definitely worth seeing in theaters.”


    “I adore the book and the film adaptation of A Dream Within a Dream. Lena is a genius!”


    Amid the positive feedback, a few detractors voiced their criticism.


    “Nothing but a money-making scheme!”


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