Well, this turned out great. I was hoping for a double blessing, but ended up with nothing on both fronts.
Not only did I embarrass myself in front of my daughter,
but I also completely exposed my shallowness in front of Landon Lockwood.
Now I've offended both parties...
His mind was in turmoil, growing more regretful as he thought about it.
Landon Lockwood didn't care what he was thinking.
He calmly put away the Black Brilliance Card.
Then, he turned his head to look at Cora Lowell.
"Where is your room?"
Cora Lowell was still in shock about his identity.
She never expected that the man who suddenly appeared and saved her life had a background so powerful that even Hayden Croft had to back down.
"My room?"
She repeated softly.
Landon Lockwood raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against her soft cheek.
His palm was warm, with a slightly rough texture.
"I saved you once, so it's not too much to help you treat your wound, is it?"
His hand slowly moved down, grazing the slender scar on her face.
The wound was not deep, with slightly swollen edges.
It had not completely scabbed over, and still glistened with moist blood streaks.
With the slightest touch, the freshly congealed blood beads were squeezed out again.
Yet, the woman's expression remained extremely calm.
No dodging, no trembling, she just looked at him.
Clearly in a passive situation, under the control of a stranger.
Yet she was like a fox willingly offering her neck to the hunter.
Landon Lockwood felt a slight stir in his heart, as if nudged by that gaze.
His hand continued to move downward.
Just then, Cora Lowell suddenly raised her hand, stopping his movement.
She glanced nonchalantly at the somber Tristan Lowell.
"Sir, please have some respect. I'm already engaged to Mr. Croft."
"Dad, what do you think?"
She turned her head, her gaze landing on Tristan Lowell.
Tristan Lowell opened his mouth, at a loss for words.
If there was a choice, Hayden Croft was indeed the most secure choice.
No matter in terms of background, resources, or connections.
He was the most compatible with the Lowell Family, the lowest risk for collaboration.
But the man before them, his identity was unknown, his origins mysterious.
More critically, the nature of his relationship with Cora Lowell was unclear.
If they indeed became something.
If she had thoughts she shouldn't have, manipulating family decisions behind the scenes.
Could the Lowell Family still be stable?
Landon Lockwood's smile slowly faded.
"There's another solution to the Lowell Family's issues: go bankrupt directly."
"Without money, there's no need to worry so much, no need to calculate relations, beg for others' favor, just think about surviving."
He chuckled lightly, a mocking smile at the corners of his mouth.
"Moving my fingers can achieve that, much easier than you painstakingly begging Hayden Croft. How about that?"
Tristan Lowell turned pale.
He gritted his teeth hard.
"I'll have someone take the gentleman to the room right away."
This was the first time Cora Lowell had seen him suffer such a loss.
The father she respected since childhood, always so forceful and domineering before others.
Yet now he was forced to back down by just a few words from Landon Lockwood.
She lowered her head and nuzzled the hand holding hers.
Forget it, treat it as a reward for him.
At least today, Landon Lockwood stood by her side.
Landon Lockwood's fingertips trembled slightly.
He turned and followed the servant into the house.
Cora Lowell followed behind, casually closing the door.
With a click, the lock engaged.
The room instantly fell silent.
Before he could speak, Landon Lockwood's gaze suddenly stopped at the top of the door frame.
His eyes grew cold, slowly scanning towards the corner of the wardrobe top.
There, a surveillance camera with a black casing was embedded silently in the wall.
The red lens blinked on and off, still slowly rotating.
Seeing this, his already foul mood plummeted further.
A hint of hostility surfaced on his brow, his gaze cold enough to freeze.
He reached out and yanked.
Two surveillance components were pulled off violently, making a crisp snapping sound.
"I'm not interested in being spied on in private affairs."
As he finished speaking, he clenched his hand.
The plastic shell shattered instantly, wires snapped, and sparks flickered briefly.
The surveillance was scrapped on the spot, components scattered.
Without a glance, he casually tossed it.
The remnants landed in the trash bin in the corner with a dull thud.
Cora Lowell stood by, watching with great interest.
She even clapped twice, the sound crisp in the air.
"Impressive, full charisma, just like a villain in a movie."
"Where's my thank-you gift?"
Cora Lowell raised an eyebrow, a slight lift to her lips.
Before she could retort, Landon Lockwood took a few steps forward.
His tall frame casting a shadow over her in an instant.
He placed his palm against her shoulder, pinning her firmly to the door.
The force wasn't heavy, yet enough to immobilize her.
He leaned close, the bridge of his nose nearly touching her forehead.
He exhaled softly by her ear.
The wound itched slightly.
Her heartbeat involuntarily quickened, her breath turning shallow.
"Had I not come early, the one entering the room with you would have been Hayden Croft."
Cora Lowell looked up, her expression calm.
As if completely unaware of the intimacy of their posture.
"Let me think."
She spoke slowly, her tone gentle.
Fingers idly resting at her lips, as if pondering, or merely stalling, deliberately keeping him in suspense.
Landon Lockwood squinted, eyes scanning over her face.
This woman, so deep in thought.
Yet daring to play mournful music at the banquet, wreaking havoc till the high societal circles were turned upside down.
Even prompting the family to deploy helicopters just to bring her back.
What exactly did she intend to do?
And now, how would she repay this favor?
In the next moment, a cool hand gently rested on his wrist.
He didn't move, letting her hand linger there.
Cora Lowell instantly caught the glint of amusement in his eyes.
She suppressed the triumph in her heart with a subtle smile.
Then, she pressed his chest with one hand.
With a sudden push.
Landon Lockwood, caught off guard, fell backward heavily onto the soft bedding.
Before he could react, he saw her swiftly kneeling on one knee on the bed.
She quickly straddled his thighs, looking down at him from above.
She hooked his tie with one hand, giving it a sharp tug upward.
A low moan escaped from Landon Lockwood's throat.
His eyes darkened abruptly.
"The latecomer doesn't deserve a thank-you gift."
Her voice was soft and gentle.
Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders like black silk, the ends brushing lightly against his collarbone.
From this angle, her collarbones were sharply defined.
Her eyes held a smoky allure, her red lips slightly upturned.
An irresistible charm emanated from her.
Landon Lockwood gazed deeply at her.
Her face was so close, their noses nearly touching.
He swallowed, suppressing the heat within, and chuckled.
"So, this is a punishment?"
His voice was deep and husky, a gleam of interest in his eyes.
Cora Lowell tugged lightly at the tie in her hand.
She tilted her head slightly, red lips parting, voice gentle and soft.
"You could consider it the first step towards cooperation."
Cooperation?
Landon Lockwood gave a soft snort, a hint of disdain curling his lips.
"Oh?"
He replied softly, drawing out the end note.