Chapter 126

She heard Lydia introducing the boy: "Simon, this is my boyfriend, Leopold."

Simon Simpson's face turned pale, clearly taken aback. He trembled for a while before barely managing to say, "Have a seat."

Michael also noticed the outstanding couple. Without noticing Agnes's change in expression, he whispered, "I see someone I know. I'll go say hello."

Before Agnes could say anything, Michael pulled her over to greet Leopold, who was about to sit with Lydia. "Mr. Neville, what a coincidence."

Leopold turned around, showing no reaction upon seeing Michael, but his expression changed slightly when he saw Agnes beside him.

His gaze locked onto Agnes as he responded indifferently, "Mr. Wright, indeed a coincidence."

Lydia was equally surprised to encounter Agnes and Michael here.

As their eyes met, Lydia acted as if she didn't know them at all, intimately holding Leopold's arm and standing obediently by his side, nodding politely to Michael like a proper girlfriend.

Agnes coldly glanced at Lydia holding Leopold's arm, feeling furious that Leopold didn't avoid it!

Although Michael had met Leopold a few times, they had never conversed, leading Michael to mistakenly think Leopold disliked him. At this moment, he realized he had been overthinking.

Unaware of the subtle atmosphere around him, Michael continued, "Mr. Neville, I heard you went to Havenia for a bid. Why are you back now?"

Leopold's participation in the bid was well-known in the business world, involving huge sums of money and competition from multiple companies.

Why was he back now? Leopold glanced at the seemingly furious Agnes. Wasn't it because she said she missed him?

Before Leopold could speak, Agnes tugged at Michael's sleeve, "Seeing how close Mr. Neville and Lydia are, he must have come back just to be with her! Let's go eat; the manager has been waiting for a long time."

Knowing Agnes's quick temper, Michael saw she was anxious and ended the conversation with Leopold, "Mr. Neville, you go ahead. We'll sit over there."

Leopold nodded and said nothing more.

Agnes turned first, heading to the seat arranged by the manager, which happened to be right next to Leopold and Lydia. After ordering, the preoccupied Agnes heard Michael ask, "Where's your husband? Why didn't he come to pick you up from class?"

Agnes's eyes shifted, and she raised her voice, "My husband? Oh, he's out walking the dog!"

Immediately, she clearly heard an exclamation from the next table, "Lydia, are you okay?"

The voice came from Simon, who was with Lydia.

Michael, puzzled by Agnes's words, asked, "Walking the dog? Is that so important? More important than you?"

"Yes, he's walking a female dog. Maybe because she's charming, my husband really likes her!" Agnes's fingers unconsciously traced circles on the table, her words drifting into the ears of those at the next table.

Michael lightly curled his lips, "No matter how much he loves it, it's just a pet. Agnes, do you really think you're less important than a dog?"

Agnes's smile deepened, "You hit the nail on the head. I've been pondering that myself!"

Meanwhile, at the next table, Lydia, startled by Agnes's words, accidentally burned herself. Leopold calmly instructed the waiter to bring some burn ointment but said nothing more.

Witnessing Agnes's increasingly harsh words, Lydia helplessly looked at the silent Leopold beside her, unable to believe he was unaware. Yet Leopold seemed indifferent. After a moment of inner struggle, tears quietly fell from her eyes.

Leopold didn't notice, but Simon across the table did. He immediately stopped talking, "Lydia, why are you crying? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry."

Lydia hastily grabbed a tissue from the table to wipe her tears, "No, I'm fine."

Only then did Leopold realize Lydia was crying. He frowned, handed her a tissue, and coldly ordered Simon, "Don't bother her again!"

Simon, the same age as Lydia, had been intimidated by Leopold's naturally authoritative presence since their first meeting. Now, facing Leopold's cold command, he broke into a sweat and nodded repeatedly, "Understood. I'll leave now. Lydia, sorry for the trouble!"

With that, Simon hurriedly grabbed his backpack and fled the scene.

When only the two of them were left at the table, Lydia said softly, "Leopold, does Agnes have something against me? She seems to really dislike me. Last time, she lashed out at Jake over some cosmetics, and now this... Leopold, I..."

Before she could finish, Lydia's grievances turned into intermittent sobs.

Agnes naturally heard the crying and saw Leopold comforting Lydia by holding her in his arms, saying, "Don't cry, you're not well."

Agnes was stunned. Once, she had been intoxicated by his unique tenderness, mistakenly thinking it was a privilege exclusive to her. It turned out it was all her wishful thinking. Lydia's importance to Leopold was beyond her imagination.

As the dishes were gradually served, the couple at the next table stood aside. Leopold, with his hands in his pockets, said indifferently, "Mr. Wright, enjoy your meal. I've already paid the bill. We have to leave now."

He casually glanced at Agnes, who was engrossed in her food, seemingly unaware of his presence.

Michael stood up and shook hands with Leopold, laughing heartily, "Mr. Neville, you're too kind! Thank you, let's get together again sometime!"

Leopold nodded slightly and was about to leave with Lydia, whose eyes were red.

Lydia hesitated and looked at Agnes, "Agnes, don't misunderstand, tonight is just..."

Agnes put down her knife and fork, interrupting her explanation, "No need to explain to me. I know what kind of person my husband is."

Lydia glanced at her, biting her lip and saying no more.

Leopold also gave Agnes a deep look before turning to leave.

Michael raised his glass and lightly touched Agnes's glass. Agnes reluctantly raised her glass, and they clinked glasses.

"Do you know Mr. Neville's girlfriend?"

Agnes nodded, took a sip of red wine, and looked at the table full of delicacies without any appetite. "Michael, let's be direct! I agreed to dine with you tonight to tell you one last time that I am married, and there is no possibility between us. In the future, unless necessary, let's avoid meeting."

With that, she stood up to leave, but Michael grabbed her.

She turned back, and Michael still had his smile, "Alright, let's just consider ourselves old friends and finish this meal together, okay?"

Agnes grumbled inwardly but remained expressionless on the surface.

Michael noticed her impatience and chuckled, "You still have that quick temper, getting impatient so quickly! Agnes, let's not waste food. After we finish eating, I'll take you home."

Agnes couldn't argue with him and had to sit back down, finishing her meal as if completing a task.

After leaving the restaurant, Michael drove her as promised.

Before Michael's car arrived, a Bentley stopped beside her. Seeing the license plate, Agnes's heart skipped a beat; it was Leopold's car.

Kevin got out and walked briskly towards Agnes, "Mrs. Neville, Mr. Neville instructed me to take you home."

Michael, who had just opened the car door, turned back but couldn't hear Kevin's words. As he was about to approach, he heard Agnes refuse, "No need, Mr. Wright will take me."

Then, Agnes got into the Porsche directly. Michael raised an eyebrow at Kevin, sensing something was off between them.

Michael was secretly pleased and walked over, patting Kevin on the shoulder before getting into the car.

Kevin watched the car drive away and had no choice but to report the situation to Leopold.

In the car, sensing Agnes's bad mood, Michael didn't say much, only asking, "Where do you live now?"

As the Porsche left the parking lot, Agnes replied, "Just find a place to park up ahead."

Soft car music flowed inside, creating a moment of silence.

Michael sighed, "Agnes, you don't really love him, do you?" He couldn't detect any love in the way Agnes looked at Kevin.

Agnes smiled and denied it, "No, on the contrary, I love him very much."

Michael assumed she was putting on a brave face, "Alright, alright, you love him very much." He moved closer, forcing Agnes to meet his sincere gaze, "I don't mind being a backup. If he treats you badly and you're unhappy, you can always come back to me, okay?"

Agnes was confused by the earnestness in his eyes, "Michael, you like me, so why did you choose someone else back then?"

Michael lowered his head in guilt, then looked up and hugged her tightly, "I admit, I regret it. Agnes, it was only after losing you that I realized how important you are to me, truly."