The maid came in with respect.

"Good morning, Mr. And Mrs. Howel."

Evan put her back on the bed.

Avery put on her shoes and stood up. But Evan pressed her down.

"Don't move for a second."

Avery was confused.

"Do you ask me about a bonus service?"

The maid got closer. Avery saw a glass of water on the tray.

Evan took the glass, and the maid left.

"Water?" So the service was feeding her water?

What was this? He neither poured the water nor took it. How could it be a bonus service?

"Em. Take a sip."

Avery looked at the glass curiously. Was there anything else in the water?

Avery was baffled. But she took a sip anyway.

It was water.

Evan grabbed her hand and suddenly revered the glass. It surprised Avery. She thought Evan would pour the water at her. But it didn't happen.

There were colorful ribbons in the glass. Avery pulled the ribbon. But it kept getting longer.

Evan rolled the ribbon in his hands and wrapped them back in the glass. Then he reached in and came out with a rose. Evan put the rose beside Avery's hair. The orange rose blossomed on the dark hair. Avery was prettier than the rose.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

"Anything?"

"Yes."

"I don't believe you," Avery couldn't believe her ears.

Evan pinched her face and took something from under the quilt.

It was a fruit candy in colorful wrappers. It was what Avery asked the night before.

Avery opened the wrapper. It was in the heart shape. There were words written over it.

"There are two kinds of men in my world. The first is your man. The second is my woman who likes my candy."

Avery smiled sweetly. Evan was so romantic.

Avery didn't eat it. She rewrapped the candy and looked at the glass. She reached in with curiosity. It was empty.

Looking again, she found the base of the interior and exterior was thick. She guesses something.

What magic relied on was stage property and showmanship.

The door was knocked again.

"Sir, Mr. Howel sent the housekeeper..." Tinder said.

The housekeeper was already in the living room, with quite a lot of help.

Evan and Avery changed quickly. Avery helped to straighten the tie. She knew there would be consequences for barging in the presidential house that day. Even if Logan wouldn't mind, Mr. Howel would.

Avery had no idea what Mr. Howel would do to them. But based on the situation on the first floor, she guessed Mr. Howel went for violence.

Hundreds of bodyguards made the castle look smaller. Each of them wore headsets, guns, and Dr. Martens.

They stood neatly underneath the floors. They stood in two lines and left an aisle in between.

Mr. Howel's housekeeper, Lucien, watched Evan descend from the stairs. He came forward and greeted him.

Evan stood on the last but two staircases. He looked at them condescendingly.

"What do I owe the pleasure?"

"Mr. Howel thought what you did at the presidential house was indecent. So he ordered me to accompany you to apologize to President Arlington. It happens the presidential house will hold a dinner party tonight. Mr. Howel will be there. So I have to trouble you to come with me."

Evan's look slightly turned. He took so many bodyguards. So he had to take Evan away one way or another.

Evan turned around. Avery was behind him. He turned calm again. In order to reassure Avery, he comforted her in a low voice.

"Stay put. I'll be home soon."

Avery nodded. Her heart didn't stop pounding ever since she knew Mr. Howel sent over Lucien.

If I was making an apology, it was okay. But if Mr. Howel had another agenda.

Avery suddenly grabbed Evan by his sleeve. For some unknown reasons, she didn't want him to go at all.

Evan put his hand at her left cheek and stroked her tender skin.

"I'll ask them to find some good movies for you. I'll be back when you finish watching."

Then he let go.

Evan straightened the cufflink and left.

The door of the castle was opened and shut.

Avery still stood on the stairs until Evan's back was out of the door.

***

The low-profile presidential house was a different scene. The magnificent crystal chandeliers gave off warm yellow light.

The guests in groups talked casually over glasses of wines. The dancer in the center of the dancing poll kept moving elegantly as the music went.

The present guests were distinguished politicians and celebrities of B Country. They spoke with fervor and assurance about recent national situations and economic reforms. The socialites gathered too to talk about fashion and gossip. They kept comparing their possessions.

The Howel convoy drove in with a low profile. Although they didn't come from C Country, Mr. Howel had great political influence. The Howel family was a renowned family in B Country, especially in the economy. They directly affected B Country's economic pulse.

So the President was afraid of, defensive, and complimentary of Howel's family.

The PA of the President came to greet and led Mr. Howel and Evan in the ballroom.

Then he said to his headset.

"Mr. Arlington asked us to pay special attention to Howel. They are here."

Mr. Howel wore a handmade black suit. The smooth silk hand embroidered patterns.

He was holding a walking stick with the Howel emblem carved at the head.

Evan walked beside his grandfather. He wore a black suit and a blue shirt. In a place where all sorts of celebrities gathered, he still stood out.

"Keep yourself in control when we meet the President. You don't need me to tell you what you should and shouldn't say," Mr. Howel was in his 60s. His eyes were sparkling and spoke with full spirit. Although he had to use a walking stick, it didn't affect how he walked.

Evan didn't answer.

The PA who led them in heard something in his headset and took them to the study, Evan spent a few days here. So he wasn't unfamiliar with the place.

The PA knocked three times on the door. The sound came from inside. The door was opened. The man bowed to welcome them

Apart from Mr. Arlington, Rebecca was in the study too. She was talking to Logan when they came in.

Rebecca wore a warm yellow shoulder-free dress. She wore a feather hairpin. She looked graceful and pretty.

There are lights in Rebecca's eyes when she sees Evan. Then she walked over to Mr. Howel and bowed.

"Grandpa, you're finally here."