Chapter 8

“Why are you following me?” Livia crossed her arms and shot a glare at the man, she said. The man’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, and he let out a dismissive scoff in response to her.

“Be cautious not to make assumptions, lady! The mall isn’t yours,” the man retorted in response to her.

“Then, explain why you are here! This is no mere coincidence.” With her finger pointed, she told the man. The man nonchalantly lifted his shoulders in a gesture of indifference.

“Can you just leave the elevator if you don’t want to ride with me? I don’t like noise, and your nagging is driving me crazy!” The man’s expression turned serious as he snapped.

When Livia saw that, she wanted to chastise herself for being suspicious and making assumptions.

The man appears to be in a sour mood, and the constant nagging from her is only exacerbating the situation. Just like her, she has the ability to sense when someone is feeling down.

She managed to regain her composure. She mumbled an apology as she stepped into the elevator, making sure to maintain a safe distance from him. She positioned herself in the corner, seeking a sense of security.

All she can hear is the elevator moving and their breathing. She felt a deep sense of embarrassment due to her actions. She noticed the man out of the corner of her eye. His countenance remained devoid of any emotion, yet his appearance exuded an undeniable handsomeness.

Livia found herself unable to resist stealing glances at the man, using the corner of her eyes. The man possesses a considerable amount of charm in his stature. There is no one who cannot look at the man. The profound gaze of its eyes has the power to captivate all who dare to meet it. The nose possesses a striking quality, while the lips exude a captivating charm.

The scent of the man’s perfume is so captivating that her nose cannot resist the urge to discreetly inhale its alluring aroma. George’s hands were beyond comparison, far surpassing the man’s. The man standing next to her epitomizes true masculinity.

Livia wagered that the man’s teeth were flawlessly sculpted. She finds herself unable to resist the urge to depict him within the confines of her own mind.

“Take a picture; it’ll last longer,” the man suggested, rolling his eyes. Livia’s eyes grew wider as she heard it. Her gaze swiftly shifted to meet the man’s intense gaze.

“What the heck did you say?” With a contemptuous expression, she looked down on the man.

The man found himself surprised by her abrupt change of attitude. Some time has passed since she offered her apology, yet it is important to note that this does not grant the man the right to ridicule her simply because she expressed admiration for his physical appearance.

Livia directed her finger towards the man, firmly pressing it against his chest. Despite the firmness of his chest, she paid no attention to it, as she was feeling quite angry.

“I was in a good mood and apologized, but your simple insulting word ruined my mood again,” she yelled angrily at the man.

The man expressed his disdain for her. “It was not intended as an insult, you see. You’re simply overreacting,” he replied casually.

Livia’s eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on the man. In a fit of frustration, she tugged at her hair.

She acknowledges that the man’s statement is not incorrect, but rather, she is merely seeking a pretext to engage in conversation with him. Silence enveloped her. Once again, the man emerged victorious, triumphing with their argument.

Livia finds it hard to believe that she is now in the company of the man she once despised. Grateful as she may be, she couldn’t help but feel the urge to scoff at the man who persistently smirked at her as they entered Mr. Welthe’s grand mansion.

The woman has a keen understanding of the thoughts that are crossing the man’s mind. She felt an inexplicable debt towards him, despite their lack of personal acquaintance. The intensity of her desire to end his life through strangulation was overwhelming.

“D*mn,” she quietly murmured as she watched the man relax in his seat, contrasting sharply with her own anxious state. Unbeknownst to one another, their goals remained a mystery, yet she had already grown quite irritated with the man.

“Stop doing that. I am aware of my debt to you. Please refrain from boasting directly in front of me,” she uttered through clenched teeth.

With a smug expression, the man grinned at her. Without uttering a single word, his grin manages to provoke irritation within her. She couldn’t help but facepalm, her frustration evident. The urge to strike the man was strong, but she quickly reminded herself of his assistance in gaining entry to Mr. Welthe’s house. With a deep breath, she restrained herself from any further foolishness.

Livia waited with patience, indifferent to whether Mr. Welthe would arrive later, as long as she confronted him. As she waited there, her knees trembled with anticipation. Yet her patience was unwavering, allowing her to endure the wait for Mr. Welthe, even if it meant waiting the entire day.

The staff, following the old man’s instructions, did not allow them to wait directly for Mr. Welthe in his office. Livia and the man found themselves in the living room.

“I sincerely hope that you are not simply jesting about your purpose with Mr. Welthe. My name is on the line because of you,” the man abruptly stated.

Her gaze fell upon him, filled with a profound sense of seriousness and sincerity. “The purpose I have with Mr. Welthe are not of concern to you. I express my gratitude for your help in gaining permission to enter Mr. Welthe’s residence.” Livia honestly replied to the man, “I am indebted to you for this favor, and if the opportunity arises where you require my assistance, I will ensure to reciprocate.”

The man simply gazed at her. Unyielding, she refused to retreat, fully aware that this man had scrutinized the veracity of her statements. The man possessed a pair of truly captivating eyes, which had the power to draw Livia’s gaze towards them, as if they were leading her towards a place of great magnificence. Just as she was about to speak, a voice caught her attention, causing her to turn abruptly in its direction.

“Well, what’s my guest’s business with me?” Mr. Welthe descended the stairs, drawing closer to their location.

Livia stood in awe, rendered speechless by the sight of the old man, who appeared to have shed years off his age, radiating newfound energy. The sight of her in her first life was quite different from the last time she laid eyes on him.

‘Although Mr. Welthe is known for his cunning nature, I couldn’t help but notice how drained his countenance appeared, as if he were on the verge of succumbing to death at any given moment.’ She pondered, burdened by the weight of guilt for what had transpired with the elderly gentleman before. Livia was aware that the majority of it was her own mistake.

“So, what brings you here, Orion and the young lady?” When the old man posed the question once more, she sensed that this was her moment to grant Mr. Welthe a chance at a better life, a prospect she had previously overlooked. With unwavering resolve, she gazed upon the elderly gentleman.