Chapter 1442


    Bernard didn’t argue further, simply gesturing for her to continue. Eleanor then said, “I promised before


    that once Garett got back on his feet, I’d give him a grand gift…”


    Worried that Bernard might misunderstand, Eleanor quickly added, “And Robin, for saving my life,


    deserves something too. Then there’s Pearce and George, who’ve been helping take care of Nina…


    so…”


    Before she could finish exining, Bernard interrupted her with a warm voice, “Honey, if you want to


    give them gifts, go ahead. You don’t need my permission.”


    At his words, Eleanor cupped his wlessly handsome face and nted a firm kiss, “Honey, you’re the


    best.” After thepliment, Eleanor said, “I’ll go pick out a few grand gifts now, then have Bryson


    deliver them.” Before she could get up, Bernard said, “Tell me what you want to give, and I’ll arrange it.”


    He didn’t want her to go through any trouble-a sentiment that made Eleanor feel incredibly sweet


    inside. Smiling, she told Bernard what she wanted to gift, and he went to make arrangements.


    Once everything was set, Bernard helped Eleanor back to their room.


    He didn’t want her to shower alone, so he washed her himself.


    Afterwards, he wrapped her in a bathrobe and carried her to bed.


    Only after he had taken care of her did Bernard head to the bathroom to douse his own desires with


    cold water.


    The longing was strong; to abstain for so long and only watch without touching was truly torturous. He


    tilted his chin up, letting the icy water cascade over his face, his expression and slightly parted lips


    betraying his yearning.


    With that yearning still upon him, hey down beside Eleanor.


    With her warmth beside him, Bernard rolled his throat several times but ultimately controlled himself


    and closed his eyes to sleep.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    The next morning, Nina headed off to school, Bryson went to deliver the gifts, and Bernard and Eleanor


    boarded their private jet once again.


    When they arrived in Chiang Rai around noon, the sky was a brilliant blue, the sun shining bright, and


    the temperature was just right. Bernard brought Robin’s gift with him, and when they met, Eleanor held


    it out with both hands..


    “Even though you refuse, I owe you thanks for saving a life, and I must express my gratitude.”


    Robin nced at Eleanor, then at the gift box, his expression less than pleased.


    It seemed as though epting it would draw a line between them, but it was a kind gesture, and it


    would be rude to refuse. With reluctance, Robin epted the gift, and because it was from Eleanor, he


    treasured it a bit more.


    “I didn’t expect you two would actuallye all this way to see Zephyr.”


    Robin put the gift in the passenger seat and gestured for them to get in the car.


    He had been staying close to Katharine and was familiar with the roads of Chiang Rai.


    Hearing that they would visit, he didn’t bring a driver and drove to the airport himself.


    4


    Scott had arranged for a car, but seeing that Robin hade to pick them up, Bernard, along with


    Eleanor, got into his car.


    Expecting the atmosphere in the car to be awkward, they were surprised to run into an old


    acquaintance, Elbert, as they got in.


    Emerging from the airport, he spotted them and waved hisrge arms excitedly.


    “Bernard, Eleanor, what brings you here?!”


    Seeing Elbert’s bright smile and pearly white teeth shining in the sunlight, Bernard found it slightly


    blinding, and with a cool nce, he turned to Robin, “Aren’t we leaving yet?”


    Robin wrestled with the car ignition, his brow creased in frustration. “These foreign cars,” he grumbled,


    “I can’t quite figure them out.”


    As soon as he finished speaking, Elbert opened the passenger door and plopped down, squashing the


    gift box beneath him.


    Robin’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of the ttened box, and then it was rage, “Get up, now!”


    Elbert, who was in the process of retrieving the box, jumped at the roar, stuttering, “I-I didn’t mean to.”


    Robin took the gift box from Elbert’s hands with a cold face and carefully unwrapped it.


    When he saw the metallic sheen of the red apple inside, he involuntarily turned to look at Eleanor.


    Eleanor nodded, her smile seeming to say, “Let this gift serve as a token of my gratitude for that life-


    saving moment.”


    Robin said nothing, just nced at her and nonchntly handed the apple to Elbert.


    “I thought it would be something valuable, but it’s just a toy.”


    His actions and words were a cover for his earlier panic.


    Everyone in the car, except for Bernard, really thought he was being dismissive.


    Especially Elbert, who examined the red apple, saw nothing extraordinary, and tossed it aside….


    Luckily, it onlynded inside the car; otherwise, Robin might have kicked Elbert out right then and


    there.


    Elbert, refusing to leave the car, turned to Bernard, “I heard from my dad that you’re the son of my Aunt


    Tammie Pine, is that true?”


    Bernard, regretting getting into this car, rolled his eyes upward in silence, his demeanor clearly showing


    his impatience.


    But Elbert didn’t catch on and continued enthusiastically, “So it’s true, my dad wasn’t lying. But man,


    you’re my cousin, I can hardly believe it!”


    No wonder Bernard’s p had felt oddly familiar to him, as though it was delivered by a family member.


    As it turned out, it actually was!