“Erm...” Guilt clenched Francesca's stomach as she reluctantly asked, “W-When did you come?”
“Fifteen minutes ago.”
Danrique dropped his gaze to look at the wine in his glass.
“I...”
Francesca tried to think of an excuse, but couldn't come up with one. She knew she couldn't involve
William, so she lied, “The room was too stuffy. I just wanted to get some fresh air.”
“Next time, if you want to go anywhere or do anything, go through the door and not through the window.
It will be a shame if you fall and become the snow leopards' food.”
Danrique set his glass on the table and got up to leave.
Mixed feelings stirred within Francesca as she watched him leave.
Fifteen minutes ago, she had just gone out through the window. That meant Danrique had been sitting
there for fifteen minutes, silently waiting for her return.
With his character, he should demand her to spill her whereabouts and what she did in that period. Yet
he didn't ask anything. Could it be that he knows where I went? But he didn't say anything. What
exactly is he thinking?
The more he acted out of character, the more uneasiness Francesca felt.
Sounds of door knocking next door pulled her out of her thoughts. She heard the door open and
Robin's respectful greeting. “Mr. Lindberg.”
“Is William asleep?”
Danrique strode right into William's room.
“No, please come in, Mr. Lindberg.”
Panic flood Robin's chest at Danrique's sudden visitation.
The uneasiness grew within Francesca. Has Danrique gone to find fault with William?
I'm not afraid of anything, but I don't want to implicate anyone. Yet, I can't ask them now, or I might as
well be admitting to Danrique that I was there!
Meanwhile, William was sitting on the sofa, sipping on the tonic Norah brought.
When he saw Danrique, he asked with a smile, “L, you're not asleep yet?” “No.”
Danrique's gaze swung to the window and noticed it was shut with the curtains pulled close. It might
seem like there was no trace, but there was a small stain on the pristine white carpet.
Without commenting about the stain, he took a seat on the sofa and asked straightforwardly, “William,
why are you here this time?”
“Roth and Edward had each met with me separately back in M Nation, saying they had something to
discuss. I postponed their meeting and insisted to wait for you, but they persisted and even wanted to
visit me at my place. I didn't want to invite any troubles, so I came to find you.”
William was telling the truth. He was aware Danrique was the decisionmaker in their collaboration, so
he wouldn't simply make any decision without discussing it with Danrique first.
However, Edward and Roth kept wanting to bribe him and use him to take down Danrique.
Not wanting to offend both sides,
William came up with an excuse and came to Erihal to meet with Danrique.
He proved his loyalty and sincerity to Danrique and also avoided trouble at the same time.
“Have you thought things through? Are you sure you want to marry Ms. Cece?”
“Of course, she is the only woman I want to marry.” Danrique was sure and firm. “A true man expands
his empire through his wits and fists, not marriage.” Co?tent оf Draмa?ovеls.cом
“You're right but reality is cruel-”
“William.” Danrique cut William off and insinuated, “You're born a royalty. It's not a surprise that you
have such thoughts.
“However, I'm different from you.
The reason I work so hard to stand on top of the world is so that I can live my life however I want.
“If a powerful man turned his love life into a bargaining chip for power, that's incompetence.”