Chapter 438


    Although the Garcias were known for their storied ancestry, perhaps because of Herman’s


    approachable demeanor, Seraphina never felt he was out of her league.


    But after meeting his grandparents today, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a vast chasm


    between Herman and Andrea.


    Herman hailed from old money, his lineage as pristine as it gets, whereas Andrea’s came from a lot


    moreplicated family.


    This divide was intrinsic, not the sort that could be bridged with time or effort.


    So, whether or not something had happened between Herman and Andrea, their paths were likely to


    diverge from here on out.


    That’s why Andrea was so adamant about denying any rtionship with Herman. An entanglement, if it


    ever existed, would only lead to difort and embarrassment. Andrea, being both clear-headed and


    rational, surely knew how to handle such matters.


    With this realization, Seraphina decided not to dwell on their situation any further.


    Hearing her resigned tone, Leandro nced her way and said slowly, “I thought you of all people


    wouldn’t care about family backgrounds.”


    Seraphina sighed faintly, “I may not give a damn about family status, but reality is what it is. For now,


    that reality isn’t changing. Isn’t that right?” “Perhaps,” Leandro conceded, “but who can really predict


    the future?”


    Seraphina frowned at him, “Since when did you be such a romantic?”


    “Is that a bad thing?” he asked.


    Shaking her head, she replied, “Not necessarily. But to run a giant like Reynolds Group, we need the


    ruthless Mr. Reynolds back, don’t we?” Leandro looked at her again, “Do you think I have the patience


    to indulge in such idle chit-chat with just anyone?”


    Seraphina paused, then red at him while pulling Valerio into her arms as a shield, “I never asked for


    your precious time, Mr. Reynolds.” “Hmm,” Leandro uttered, “I invest my time where it’s worthwhile.”


    Seraphina was silent after that.


    Hearing the exchange, Valerio chuckled quietly after a moment’s peace.


    Seraphina suddenly pinched his cheek, “What are youughing at?”


    Valerio, not quite pleased, wriggled out of her hold and into Leandro’s arms, seeking his favor.


    Seraphina watched the little traitor with a cold huff. So the kid thought Leandro was talking about him?


    How utterly… foolish.


    As it turned out, there was some truth to the saying that fools are blissfully ignorant, at least they could


    sleep soundly when tired. But the overly clever ones? Sleep eluded them.


    Seraphina belonged to thetter group.


    In the cool spaciousness of the autumn bathroom, with the heat emanating from the body behind her,


    Seraphina endured a rollercoaster of sensations until she waspletely spent and could finally return


    to bed.


    Despite being utterly exhausted and assuming she’d fall asleep instantly, shey there with closed


    eyes yet didn’t feel sleepy at all.


    Leandro was awake too, hisrge hand absentmindedly tracing patterns on her back. Ultimately unable


    to resist, Seraphina opened her eyes only to meet Leandro’s deep, brooding gaze.


    She jumped, slightly startled, “Staring at someone in the middle of the night without sleeping can scare


    them to death, you know?”


    Leandro didn’t respond, instead he leaned down to kiss her lightly on the lips.


    It was a simple gesture, one of many intimate disys he had a habit of, but Seraphina sensed


    something more, “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”


    Leandro nced at his wristwatch on the nightstand, “In about four and a half hours.”


    Frowning deeply, Seraphina retorted, “If you had to go, why not earlier? Why choose such an early


    hour to stir up trouble!”


    After venting, she turned over and closed her eyes again, intent on sleep.


    Leandro pulled her back into his embrace, his voice deep and steady, “I’ll go my way, you sleep yours.


    How am I troubling you?”


    “If you can leave without waking me up, be my guest,” she said.


    Leandro, upon hearing this, actually fell silent, contenting himself with dropping soft kisses on her


    shoulder and neck.


    Seraphina kept her eyes tightly shut, refusing to move again.


    At five in the morning, Leandro rose punctually to head for the airport.


    Seraphinay quietly next to Valerio, feigning deep sleep.


    But when Leandro emerged from the bathroom, he found Seraphina sitting on the edge of the bed, her


    eyes filled with a intive look, “You woke me up.” Approaching her, Leandro extended his hand,


    “Then, you might as well see me off.”


    About to p his hand away, Seraphina, was caught off-guard when he grasped her hand firmly and


    pulled her up from the bed.


    And so, she was “forced” into a cozy robe, grudgingly following him to the door.


    At the entrance of the charming courtyard, the driver had the car running, and Keen and the


    bodyguards were waiting.


    Leandro gave her a look, then offered, “Wannae to the airport with me?”


    She rolled her eyes, “In your dreams.”


    Keen misinterpreted her distress, and he couldn’t help but say, “Mrs. If you don’t want Mr. Reynolds to


    leave, you know you can always bring Valerio back to Sunburst City. I’ll make all the necessary


    arrangements.”


    “Who said I don’t want him to leave?” Seraphina snapped back, not having forgotten the grudge she


    held for his nderous words. “I’m just having morning grumpiness. You im to understand women,


    can’t you grasp that?”


    Keen visibly shrank back, retreating silently to the side.


    Only then did Seraphina give Leandro another shove, withdrawing her hand, “Get going, will you? I


    need you to leave so I can get some sleep.”


    Leandro nced at the sky, muttered an acknowledgment, and turned to descend the front steps.


    It wasn’t until he reached his car that he looked back, catching Seraphina peering out from behind the


    half-open door.


    The moment their eyes met, she quickly retreated and the door mmed shut with a bang.


    But in no time at all, there was a gentle tap on the door.


    “What now?” Seraphina opened the door, clearly irked.


    Before she could finish her sentence, a pair of warm lips crashed onto hers, sealing her words with a


    kiss that spanned the threshold, intertwining them in a moment that seemed to refuse separation.


    Bystanders in the alley discreetly looked away.


    The kiss felt eternal, yet eventually it broke.


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    “I’lle back as soon as I can,” Leandro whispered.


    “I’m not the one who’s going to miss you, Seraphina retorted.


    “Hmm,” Leandro responded, “It’s me who can’t bear to be away from you and Valerio.”


    Seraphina shot him a swift nce but said nothing more, quickly shutting the door and heading back to


    bed.


    Only then did Leandro finally get into the car and drive off towards the airport.