The night had grown late. Celine had spent the entire day at the hospital, accompanying her mother through a series of intensive examinations in preparation for the next morning's surgery. Throughout the day, Celine had remained vigilant, ensuring her personal guards kept enough distance so that her mother would not notice their presence.
"Mama, I am going home now. I will be back very early tomorrow morning," Celine whispered softly, kissing her mother's forehead.
"All right, sweetheart. Be careful on the road," her mother replied with a weak smile, stroking her daughter's cheek with deep affection.
The moment Celine stepped out of the room, her heart nearly leaped out of her chest. A tall, imposing figure was standing directly in front of the door. It was Leo. Instinctively, Celine pushed against his chest, forcing him away from the doorway so her mother would not see him.
"Leo! What are you doing here?" Celine asked in a hushed voice, struggling to suppress her panic.
"Calm down. I am not going inside," Leo said quietly, allowing himself to be pushed back a step. A faint smile, one that looked surprisingly genuine, touched his lips. "I only wanted to pick up my wife. Is that a crime?"
Celine froze. The look in Leo's eyes felt different, warmer and softer. However, the memory of the man's cruelty kept her on guard. She knew how quickly his demeanor could shift.
"I am not going straight home. I have to stop and buy some clothes. Just some simple things," Celine said, searching for an excuse to avoid being trapped alone with him at the house immediately.
"Of course, honey. I will accompany you," Leo replied calmly. Without waiting for her consent, he wrapped a possessive arm around her waist and guided her down the hospital corridor under the sharp gaze of their guards.
***
Leo's luxury car pulled conspicuously into the sprawling parking lot of a Walmart. Parked among rows of old sedans and pickup trucks, the vehicle looked like an alien object from another world.
"You really should not come inside. This is not the kind of high-class place you usually visit," Celine said, glancing at Leo. He looked entirely out of place against the view outside the window.
"I said I would accompany you, Celine," Leo replied in a tone that brooked no argument.
Celine snorted, exhaling a sharp breath of annoyance. Ultimately, they both entered the crowded store. Celine headed straight for the clothing department, trying to ignore the bewildered stares of several shoppers who were surprised to see a man in an expensive, custom-made suit standing in the middle of a discount clothing aisle.
As Celine meticulously sorted through items she found comfortable, Leo began to lose his patience. To him, browsing through open racks like this was a waste of time. With a swift movement, Leo snatched the garment Celine was inspecting and tossed it toward Martin.
"Buy every piece of clothing in this store. Have them send everything to the house today," Leo ordered Martin coldly.
"Yes, Sir," Martin replied expressionlessly, immediately moving toward the store manager.
Celine's eyes widened, nearly unable to believe the madness of the man beside her. "Leo! What are you—"
Before Celine could protest, Leo gripped her wrist and pulled her toward the exit with long strides. He refused to waste another second in that place.
"Drive!" Leo commanded firmly once they were back in the car.
Inside the enclosed cabin, Celine struggled, trying to wrench her hand from Leo's iron grip. "Why do you always have to have everything your way, Leo? I only needed a few shirts, not the entire store!"
Leo did not respond with anger. Instead, he pulled Celine's body close until there was no space left between them. "I have run out of patience for enjoying your body, Celine," he whispered low, letting his lips brush the shell of her ear.
Celine shuddered. A strange, hot sensation spread rapidly through her entire body, making her go suddenly rigid in the arms of the man who had just infuriated her.
***
Upon arriving at the mansion, an unexpected sight greeted Celine. Leo had apparently prepared a lavish dinner by the poolside. The dim glow of the garden lights and the shimmering reflection of the water created an almost perfect romantic atmosphere.
"Let's eat first," Leo said softly. He took Celine's hand and led her to a round table neatly set with crystal candles as the primary light source.
Celine stood frozen, her chest tightening. She stared at the array of high-end dishes before her and began to wonder. Was it possible Leo had truly changed? Could his grudge have vanished, replaced by regret?
With the courtesy of a true gentleman, Leo pulled out a chair for her. Celine looked up, trying to find a trace of honesty in his face as he took his position in the opposite chair. Confusion was written clearly across her beautiful features.
Leo leaned back, a soft smile gracing his handsome face under the flickering candlelight. "Eat, Celine."
Celine did not touch her utensils. She looked Leo straight in the eye, find the courage to ask, "What has actually caused you to change like this, Leo?"
Leo chuckled softly. It was a sound that was melodic yet suddenly felt cold. He sliced the steak on his plate with absolute composure before answering.
"I just feel like being kind to my pet once in a while, Celine. Is that wrong?"
After that suffocating dinner ended, Celine hurried to her room to wash up.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mansion, Leo was in his private study. He stood with his back to the door, staring at a row of monitors displaying global stock movements.
"What information do you have, Martin?" Leo asked without turning around.
"Mr. Richard is already aware of your marriage, Sir," Martin reported in a flat tone.
Leo remained silent for a moment. He was not surprised, but his jaw tightened. "That was fast. Since he found out earlier than I expected, we will proceed with Plan B," Leo said in a low, calculating voice. "I will take Celine to face him tomorrow."
Martin appeared to hesitate for a second. "But, Sir... tomorrow is her mother's scheduled surgery."
Leo spun his chair around, pinning Martin with eyes as cold as ice. "Since when do I care about that?"
A crooked smile appeared on his face. "In fact, by pulling her away from the hospital at such a critical moment, my father will see that my intention in marrying her was, indeed, only to torment her."