Meanwhile, at the hotel, a hostess greeted Finn with a polite smile the moment he stepped into the lobby.


    "Mr. Lockridge, Miss Whitmore has already arranged everything. Please, follow me."


    Finn didn''t think much of it and followed the hostess upstairs. The moment she opened the door to their private dining room, he was met with the sight of dozens of roses arranged artfully around the space. In the center of the table sat arge, two- tiered cake, with an elegantly wrapped gift box beside it.


    He paused, raising an eyebrow. "Is this a service your hotel offers?"


    The hostess shook her head. "No, sir. Miss Whitmore came yesterday to set all of this up herself. She mentioned that today is your one-month anniversary and wanted to make it special."


    Finn''s lips curved into a smile. So this was her real n. And to think she''d tried to y coy yesterday. She was really starting to pick up his bad habits.


    After dismissing the hostess, Finn walked over to the table and opened the gift Evangeline had left for him. Inside was a delicate gold chain for his sses.


    An involuntary smile spread across his face. He took off his sses, attached the chain, and put them back on. He usually disliked gold, finding it gaudy, but this chain was so fine and elegant that even he had to admit it suited him perfectly.


    Finn took out his phone, snapped a few pictures from different angles, and carefully selected the best one to send to Evangeline.


    Several minutes passed with no reply. Figuring she was still on her way, he wasn''t worried and put his phone away.


    Sometimeter, the sound of a small crowd drew his attention. He walked to the window and looked down to see a street vendor had set up a stall by the hotel''s back entrance. A group of well-dressed young men and women likely hater guests, had gathered around, intrigued by the novelty.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Finn went downstairs to investigate. He saw that the vendor was selling small, handmade trinkets, along with caged bunnies and hamsters. Their adorable antics were charming the wealthy patrons.


    The vendor was cheerfully taking money with one hand and restocking the cages with the other.


    "Hey, handsome, want to buy one?" the vendor asked with a grin, noticing Finn.


    Finn had a soft spot for small


    animals as a child and often


    pestered Arabe Lockridge to buy


    him hamsters and birds. But life in


    the Lockridge family was


    This pets


    had ever survived their first year.


    Eventually, he forced himself to lose


    interest. After years of


    self-conditioning, he truly felt


    nothing when he saw them now.


    He shook his head and turned to leave. But after a couple of steps, he felt something furry at his feet. Looking down, he saw a tiny kitten clinging to his shoe, its big, round eyes staring up at him.


    The kitten was filthy and skinny, its face smudged with dirt and its fur matted with what looked like old soot. Aside from its eyes and tiny frame, there was nothing cute about it.


    Finn tried to shake it off, but the kitten just tightened its grip and clung on.


    "Hey, buddy, I think this cat really likes you," the vendor said, seeing an opportunity. "How about a fifty percent discount? A hundred dors for you."


    Finn scoffed. "I may be rich, but I''m not an idiot."


    A hundred dors for this pathetic little thing? He didn''t think so. He wasn''t that out of touch with reality.