Chapter 96
Hearing Justin's shout, Agnes groggily opened her eyes. Did she just see Leopold?
No way, she was in a hotel. Must've been a dream.
Just as she was about to drift off again, there he was, standing by the bed, barking, "Get up!"
It really was Leopold.
Agnes pulled the blanket over her head, "You've got the wrong person."
Her voice was all raspy, and Leopold frowned. Was she sick?
He scooped her up, blanket and all, and marched out.
Justin tried to sneak away but got stopped by the hotel manager. Without Leopold's permission, no one was letting him go.
Seeing Justin peeking at the door, Leopold snapped, "Justin, you’ve got some nerve!" He dared to bring Agnes to a hotel in the middle of the night!
Leopold looked like he'd caught him red-handed. Justin quickly whispered, "It was too cold outside, so I didn't leave. I slept on the couch, didn't I?"
Leopold stepped closer, and Justin begged, "I was wrong! Mr. Neville, please forgive me!"
Just as Leopold was about to move forward, a slender hand grabbed his. Agnes said, "I asked him to stay."
Justin had walked so far with her, and it was freezing outside. How could she let him go back home? Besides, they had shared a bed before!
Though they slept head to toe, each on their own side!
Only they knew that night they almost got into a fight. She complained he was too tall, his feet almost kicking her face. He complained she was too fussy, and they nearly came to blows.
Tonight, Justin didn't dare stay long, fearing Leopold would kill him if he found out. It was Agnes who said Leopold was busy and wouldn't bother them.
Justin had intended to comfort her, but after a few words, both Agnes and Justin fell asleep.
Then, all this happened.
"Don't let it happen again!" Leopold said, carrying Agnes out of the hotel.
Justin waited until they were far away before asking the manager for new bedding and going to sleep peacefully.
They got back to the villa around 3 AM, and Agnes silently went back to her room.
When Leopold followed her in, she pushed him out. Leopold said calmly, "Lydia is next door."
Agnes was so mad she could hardly breathe, but she was too tired to argue and fell asleep immediately.
The next day, when Agnes woke up, Leopold was already gone. She cleared her throat, and her voice was much better.
As Agnes went downstairs, she heard Lydia's light laughter.
She then remembered that Lydia was also at the villa.
Seeing Agnes appear, Lydia greeted her happily, "Mrs. Neville, you're awake. Come have breakfast!"
"Okay," Agnes responded casually.
Leopold pulled out a chair beside him, signaling Agnes to sit.
Agnes didn't want to, but seeing Lydia across from her, she finally chose to sit next to Leopold.
"Mrs. Neville, Mr. Neville and I were just talking about babies. Mr. Neville, do you want a boy or a girl?" Lydia pouted, acting cute towards Leopold.
Agnes took the breakfast Eden handed her and stayed quiet.
Leopold glanced at Agnes, who was about to eat, and said firmly, "A boy." Before anyone could respond, he added, "It must be a boy!"
If it were a girl, he worried she would be like Agnes, which made him both angry and sympathetic and difficult to manage.
To be precise, having one Agnes, whom he couldn't bear to scold and only wanted to cherish, was enough.
If it were a boy, he could discipline him when he was unhappy, which would also distress Agnes, as a mother.
Lydia laughed, "What about you, Mrs. Neville?"
Agnes, still stuck on Leopold's desire for a boy, smiled slightly, "I really like girls. They're sweet and cute, and we can wear matching outfits."
At this point, a warm image of a mother and daughter popped into Leopold's mind. It did seem nice.
"Lydia, let me tell you, men are all insensitive. So, be careful not to be fooled by those jerks in the future," Agnes said.
Listening to this, Leopold felt a bit insulted.
And what did "insensitive" mean?
Across from them, Lydia nodded innocently and then dropped a bombshell, "Mr. Neville is great. I want to find a husband like Mr. Neville in the future!"
Agnes forced herself to stay calm, but her next words dripped with sarcasm, "Then you're gravely mistaken. You can't judge a book by its cover. He's a charmer. He can win over any woman. Trust me, don't set him as your goal."
Lydia looked at Agnes in surprise, even stopping her meal, "No way! Mr. Neville is very good to me, but I don't think he's like that to others!"
Leopold was better to this adopted Lydia than to his wife. How could Agnes not see him as a jerk? Agnes said, "You don't understand. I'm his wife; it's natural for him to be good to me. You're his adopted niece; it's normal for him to be good to you, too. But Leopold has many female companions."
"Agnes!" His deep voice carried a hint of undeniable authority.
Agnes smirked, her lips curving into a subtle, knowing smile, and continued eating with an air of elegant indifference.
Lydia's eyes shifted, and she quickly picked up a sandwich and handed it to Agnes. Her voice was sweet, "Mrs. Neville, try this sandwich. It's my favorite, and Mr. Neville specially asked the chef to make it."
Agnes rolled her eyes internally but kept her face neutral, "Thanks, but give it to Leopold. I don't really like sandwiches."
Agnes wasn't a fan of sandwiches. She didn't hate them, but they weren't her thing.
Lydia's hand paused in mid-air, her face full of grievance, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you didn't like sandwiches."
Agnes didn't respond much, but Leopold took the sandwich and gently placed it on Agnes's plate. "Lydia meant well. Eat it."
Agnes finally couldn't hold back, slamming her fork on the table, "Leopold, you never refuse Lydia's requests. Why did you marry me? You might as well have married Lydia."
"Shut up," Leopold snapped, his face hardening with anger. The atmosphere in the living room instantly chilled.
He suddenly stood up, "Come upstairs with me!"
"No!" Agnes glared at Lydia, whose eyes were slightly red, and turned to walk towards the villa door.
"Stop!" Leopold's command came from behind Agnes, steady and powerful.
Agnes recalled how she had sung until her voice was hoarse, and the grievances in her heart surged like a tide. She turned, looking at Leopold with determined eyes, "I've realized over time that we are not suitable for each other, Leopold. Let's set each other free!"
He was domineering and forceful, and she had a bad temper, too. He could always be gentle and indulgent with Lydia but often got angry with her, even using her vulnerabilities to make her cry. It was truly ironic.
Even in the subtle confrontation just now, he chose to support Lydia. If that was the case, why did he still want Agnes as his wife? Wouldn't Lydia be better?
Agnes pushed open the villa door and left resolutely.
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