Chapter 44
On Floral Island, Lia and Coby wandered through a vibrant night market, a long street lined with vendors selling local goods. and specialties. The place brimmed with an authentic, lively atniosphere.
Seafood was affordable here, and the grilled squid and roasted seafood were particularly famous.
Modern travelers often seek a balance of material and spiritual satisfaction, and tourism reflects this.
Unique local traditions and famous cuisine are nothing but advantageous for a tourist destination.
They sampled the local delicacies, many of which weren’t found elsewhere, highlighting the charm of the region.
Coby walked with his arm around Lia, weaving through the crowd as they soaked in the local culture.
“Compared to other places, Floral Island isn’t just rich with flowers and rare birds but also affordable seafood, diverse snacks, and unique customs. It’s perfect for travel,” Lia said with heartfelt admiration.
She had voiced exactly what Coby was thinking. “Discovering its beauty from multiple angles doesn’t just reveal its char it sparks a desire in people to visit.”
“Absolutely.” Lia looked at him in agreement. Coby’s insights were unbiased and honest, always considering long–term development–a quality Issac could never match.
Being guided by the right leader was essential for career success. She felt fortunate to have joined the Ford Group family.
“Tomorrow is the Flower Festival. Let’s check it out,” said Coby.
Floral Island’s annual Flower Festival was especially grand this year, with local authorities hoping to showcase its business and tourism potential to investors.
“Sure, have some potato skewers.” She picked one up and brought it to his lips.
Lia had bought the snacks herself. She had initially wanted to buy them just for him, but he had refused, so she gave up.
“Coby, want some squid?” asked Lia.
“If you feed me, I’ll eat anything,” he said, accepting it all.
Lia laughed softly, lips pressed together.
Coby leaned close to her ear and whispered, “But there’s one thing I won’t eat.”
“What’s that?” she asked curiously.
She thought he’d eaten everything she’d bought so far.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Garlic.”
Lucky for him, she hadn’t bought any.
“If I cat garlic, you won’t kiss me because of the smell,” said Coby.
Lia was speechless.
He really had no filter.
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Chapter 44
Back at the hotel, Coby followed Lia to her room.
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“Coby, go back to your own room. We have to wake up early tomorrow,” Lia said, tugging at his sleeve to remind him.
He ignored her trying to push him away, picked her up, and carried her to the room, gently placing her on the table, his forehead touching hers.
“I still haven’t told you about the thing this morning,” he said.
Lia had almost forgotten about it. “Well, go ahead.”
He nuzzled her soft cheek with his nose, his expression serious. “Lia, I’ve liked you from the first moment I saw you?
“The first time we met? That must’ve been in the classroom at school, with so many people around–how could he have liked me then?‘ Lia wondered.
Coby could tell from her confused expression that she had forgotten.
“Do you remember that night on Blossom Road?”
‘Blossom Road? That’s the road up to the mountain, and the Allen family’s villa is nearby. Lia thought
He kissed her pink lips. “Lia, I’ll go get something. Wait for me.”
“Okay.” Lia, still a bit dazed, watched him leave.
A few minutes later, Coby returned with a silver velvet box in his hand.
“Coby, what’s this?” she asked.
He slowly opened it to reveal a moon–shaped necklace adorned with diamonds.
Lia was stunned. “How did this necklace end up with you?” She suddenly remembered the day she lost it in the rain. “Was the man in sunglasses you?”
“I meant to return it, but I never had the chance.” Coby carefully placed the well–preserved necklace around her neck
“I thought I’d never find it again. Thank you for keeping it safe,” said Lia.
She’d worn this necklace when she was sent to the orphanage. The headmistress had said it was probably the only thing her parents had left behind.
Mrs. Allen once tried to take the necklace, but Lia refused. She had just arrived at the Allen family, and because she didn’t hand it over, she was beaten.
Just then, young Issac appeared and helped her, and eventually, Mrs. Allen gave up.
Lia thought she had found a kind older brother, but as they grew older, everything changed.
Luckily, the necklace had always been with her, until one night after graduating middle school, she lost it.
He gently caressed her cheek, his eyes filled with deep affection.
“I didn’t just want to protect it. I wanted to protect its owner,” he said.
What he really wanted to protect was just her.
“Coby.” Her heart stirred, a rush of strong emotions overwhelming her. Under his affectionate gaze, she couldn’t help but
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Chapter 44
rise onto her tiptoes.
His throat tightened, and he leaned down to kiss her sweet lips. His cool fingers wandered along her waist, making her feel ticklish and electrified all over
After graduating middle school, Lia was accepted into Brighton’s best high school, with all tuition and fees waived, plus a scholarship every year. But Mrs. Allen insisted the accompany Issac to prevent him from being influenced by outside distractions and sent her to the best private school
Lia had no choice but to agree. At that time, Layla was sick and needed money, and Mrs. Allen promised to cover all of her
hedical expenses. When Issac found out, he exploded in anger.
Lia, are you really this shameles? Wherever I go, you follow. You can’t live without me, huh?” he said.
Lía had no idea when it started, but it seemed like Issac grew to resent her more and more. Her presence irritated him.
Lia stood quietly, listening to his curses without speaking
She couldn’t argue or explain, because if the said the wrong thing, Grandma’s medical bills would be gone.
“Are you an idiot?” he said.
Seeing her remain calm only made Issac angrier. He grabbed her by the collar, shaking her. “Stop pretending! You think I’l ever like you? It’ll never happen”
He shoved her away, and Lia lost her balance, falling to the floor. She endured the pain and climbed back up. “I never thought that
She had already accepted that it could never happen. His initial kindness toward her was just because they were both young.
“Get out.” Issac’s fury only intensified as he looked at her.
In the Allen family, no servant had ever been like her.
Obedience and compliance were her trademarks, but everything she did was for her mother, not herself.
Yes Without hesitation, Lia walked out. Zach said that Layla needed care tonight, and she had to hurry to the hospital.
Issac would never understand that when a person is out of money, dignity doesn’t matter.
She survived only to keep those around her alive.
Lia wanted to leave, but not now. She wasn’t ready, and she couldn’t leave yet.
“It’s thundering and storming outside. Shouldn’t we…” Fred couldn’t stand it and said kindly.
Issac wasn’t in the mood to listen to anyone. “Whoever helps her, get out!”
“Yes, yes Fred didn’t dare to say more and quickly retreated.
Lía stood at the door, looking at the heavy rain outside. She reached for an umbrella, but the servant quickly came after her.
“The young master has instructed that you can’t take anything from here.”
She paused, silently withdrew her hand. “Understood.”
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Lia walked alone into the rain. The heavy downpour soaked her hair and drenched her clothes, but she continued on.
It wasn’t evening yet, but the sky was overcast, so dark that she couldn’t see.
The Allen family villa was on a hillside. Very few outsiders came here, and there were rarely any cars passing by.
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Layla was in the hospital, and Lia had to walk four miles to get there. It wasn’t too far, but the bad weather made her journey longer.
Lia had a phone given to her by Mrs. Allen, as she needed to be available for calls from Issac. If she missed one, the consequences were unimaginable.
Buy after graduation, Mrs. Allen took the phone back. Lia didn’t know the reason, nor did it seem necessary to know.
Lia huddled her arms around herself and walked ahead, head down.
Although it was dark, there were streetlights along the way, so she could barely make out the direction.
The rain grew heavier, and the thunder rumbled continuously, with lightning flashing across the sky, creating a terrifyin
scene.
Lia wasn’t afraid. She just wanted to get to the hospital quickly. She quickened her pace, hurrying along, not noticing a car turning the corner.
Screech…
The luxury car screeched to a halt. Lia wasn’t hit, but the scare made her legs buckle, and she fell to her knees on the ground.
“Young master, I think I hit someone.” the driver said in a panic.
The man opened his eyes, casually glancing out the car window. The rain was heavy, and the person was lying in the road.
“Get out and check,” he said.
Lia struggled to get up from the muddy water. Just then, the driver got out, holding an umbrella, and walked up to her
“Miss, are you alright? Did I hit you?” asked the driver.
“No, sorry. I didn’t see the road.” Lia explained honestly.
The driver sighed in relief but noticed her knee was bleeding. “You’re hurt. Let me take you to the hospital.”
Lia was about to go to the hospital, so if the driver could take her, it would save a lot of time.
“Really? That’s also where I’m going,” she asked.
The driver scolded himself silently for speaking too soon without checking with his young master. “Wait here, I’ll ask the young master.”
“Alright, thank you,” Lia said gratefully.
The driver walked to the back seat door. “This lady is injured and wants to go to the hospital. Should I…?”
Coby furrowed his brows and glanced at the drenched woman.
The warm yellow light shone on her pale face, her wet hair tangled, and her fragile body swaying in the rain, offering no beauty at all.
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Chapter 44
Lis seemed to see his gaze and turned her head, catching a glimpse of his fice, but he was wearing swojones, on the
couldn’t make out his features,
Wearing sunglasses in this situation seemed strange.
Lia didn’t think much of it Out of politeness, the gave him a faint smile
In that instant, her pale face regained a little life. Her eyes, sparkling, like tiny stars, wemed to speak volumes, bringing a sense of peace to his troubled mind.
Perhaps it was the loud thunder, the sudden lightning, or maybe her smile was just that convény,
The driver, seeing that his young matter hadn’t said anything, for a while, nervoudly asked, “Should I turn her away?
Coby finally looked away and said slowly, “Let her in”
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