Chapter 5 Do You Want To Run Away Again

Eventually, Leona woke up, stretching sluggishly as she did.

'Well, that was comfortable. I feel as if I slept for a century. This reminds me of when Grandpa would read me Snow White until I fell asleep as a child.

Wonderful. Cozy.

I recall when I used to accompany Grandpa to the countryside villa in the South Mountain. The sound of the water stream was so pleasant.' Grinning widely, Leona softly whispered, "Grandpa..." As she spoke, she gradually awakened.

‘Grandpa is so sick.

I actually went to Caspar in QT International Group, got down on my knees, and begged him to save Grandpa only for him to reject me.'

Despair filled Leona.

'What?

I'm still here.'

Leona looked around.

The room was large and elegantly designed in only black and white. Save for the bed and sofa, there were no other furniture in the room. Even the door to the closet could barely be noticed.

Frowning slightly, Leona grew frightened.

'Hmm, there's something odd about this room. I feel so uneasy just being inside it. It's strangely familiar too. Just like that night!'

Leona's heart began beating rapidly that her first instinct told her to escape right away.

She had already moved when she thought of this.

"What? Do you want to run away again?"

A familiar voice rang in her ears, his tone laced with irony.

'That voice...

It's Caspar!'

Leona raised her head in surprise only to meet Caspar's dark and cold gaze.

"Is that you?"

she said instinctively.

"And? Who do you think it is?"

Caspar replied coldly.

When he saw that Leona had recognized his voice, a series of emotions flashed across his eyes—first it was joy, then surprise and finally, anger.

"I...I..." 'I didn't think it was anyone else. I was just surprised that you would save me.'

Leona immediately sensed Caspar's anger.

'I hate myself for saying so much! It's okay to talk too much. Why am I so dumb? I should just cut off my tongue!'

In order to appease Caspar's anger, Leona wanted to explain herself.

However, when she realized that Caspar was only wearing a towel, she was startled and rendered speechless.

Shouldn't Leona feel lucky?

If she had ended up saying what was on her mind, who knew what Caspar would have done? For all she knew, he could've strangled her. Caspar's anger dissipated upon seeing Leona so nervous and flustered.

"What?"

Caspar narrowed his eyes as he slowly approached Leona, the aura around him intimidating and powerful.

Leona felt as if her heart was pulsing in her ears. She automatically took a step back as she averted her gaze away from Caspar. His bronze skin and magnetic gaze made it hard for her to take her eyes off him.

A chill ran down Leona's spine. They were only inches away from each other now as they gazed into each other's eyes, everything felt particularly electrified. Leona had stiffened up as she felt her chest tightening in anxiousness.

"Why are you looking me like this?" Caspar opened his mouth, seemingly satisfied with the effect he had on Leona. "You find me attractive?"

Leona focused on the single drop of water that slid down Caspar's bare chest. Taking a big gulp, she instantly flushed a deep hue of red.

"Do you want me to save your grandpa?"

Caspar lowered his head and whispered in Leona's ear, his eyes gleaming as he did.

Leone was taken aback as she raised her head and met Caspar's gaze.

"If you do, put that on."

After hearing Caspar's order, Leona looked in the direction he pointed and noticed something placed at the corner of the bed. It was a set of red-laced lingerie.

Leona bit her lips hard.

"What's wrong?" Caspar took a step back, placing some distance between him and Leona. "You don't want to put it on?"

"No, it's not like that."

Leona was flustered as she quickly waved her hands. Then she smiled mischievously as she eyed Caspar. "Mr. Qiao, you're so charming. I was just surprised!" 'He finally agreed to save Grandpa. I can't miss this opportunity. I'm willing to do anything! Anything!' Leona made her way towards the bed and grabbed the lingerie intending to head to the bathroom.

"Put it on here."

Caspar's cold voice echoed in the room once more.

Leona stopped, feeling something well up in her eyes as she bit her lips. 'He's just trying to humiliate me! He wants to degrade me until I have no pride left. But I don't care. This is for Grandpa. This is nothing to me.'

Perhaps the air condition was turned up too low or perhaps there was a draft but

the moment Leona took off her clothes, she felt the piercing cold hit her body.

Leona carefully put on the lingerie and slowly turned around. Only indifference could be seen in Caspar's eyes.

"How did I ever fall in love with a woman like you back then?" he mocked.

Leona frowned before smiling maliciously.

'Just say it.

I don't care what you say now as long as you donate your bone marrow!'

Leona kept a pleasant smile on her face.

Despite all of this, she still felt a lot of pressure.

'I need to get Caspar to agree.

I can't risk my grandpa's bone marrow donation because I was too shy or hesitant!'

With this in mind, Leona rushed forward and pounced on Caspar who was sitting on the sofa.

To her surprise,

Caspar dodged almost at once.

Needless to say, Leona felt upset. It hurt her self-esteem. 'How could Caspar avoid me when I'm dressed like this? What did I do wrong?'

After gathering herself, Leona stood up from the sofa, turned around, and glanced at Caspar before heading towards the door. "Since you seem to be repulsed by me, why don't you just donate your bone marrow to my grandpa already? Then we can go back to being strangers and we won't ever have to see each other again..."

Leona was quickly able to unlock the door. She then added with a smile, "Just sleep with me, and then donate your bone marrow to my grandpa!"

"Leona..."

Caspar was undoubtedly annoyed as he swiftly made his way towards where Leona was. He casually leaned against the door and said in a hoarse voice, "Who gave you the courage to talk to me like this?"

Grinning, Leona hooked her arms around Caspar's neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. "Well, I've always had guts, you know." She then lowered her head and moved closer to his lips.

"Damn it!"

Caspar cursed in a low voice. He turned his head to avoid Leona's lips as he hastily made his way towards the sofa nearby.

He haphazardly threw Leona to the sofa in his disgust.

"Caspar..." Leona sobbed, feeling extremely humiliated. "Do you hate me that much?"

"Don't say my name. You don't have the right."

"Please save my grandpa. I'll do anything you want me to do."

Tears gushed out of Leona's eyes. 'I told myself I wouldn't cry,' she thought.

"Leona, what do you think of me? A puppet that you can just control? Are you going to throw yourself at another man's arms after you sleep with me?"

Leona was visibly astonished upon hearing this. Outraged, she spat, "Caspar, I've told you a thousand times that I didn't do that! If I did, I would only do it once and that's today! Sherman and I aren't involved!"

"Same old tricks. You really think I'll still believe you? Fuck off! Don't make me repeat myself!"

The sun was still bright outside but only coldness filled Leona's body.

She felt helpless.

'The only person who can help Grandpa is right in front of me, but I couldn't convince him to help grandpa.'

"Grandpa, what should I do?"

Leona sat on the bench by the road as she listlessly watched the bustling crowd, feeling weak. Despair surged in her chest.

Leona's phone suddenly buzzed. She picked it up and upon glancing at the name on the screen, she hastily answered it.

"How's Grandpa?" she asked angrily.