Free Web NovelChapter 1304: Chapter 1301: The Cold and Reserved Man Turned Into a Blaze
"Leah, actually, I’m fine staying in the hospital by myself. I think Major General Shaw really doesn’t want to be apart from you." Aurora Coldwell said thoughtfully. Just seeing them couldn’t wait to kiss each other made her blush.
She never expected such a cold and silent man would turn into a blazing fire upon meeting Leah.
Aurora felt both envious and embarrassed. She had only accidentally kissed Griffith Squire once, which wasn’t even a real kiss, just a touch.
Leah coughed lightly, her ears turning slightly red, and said nonchalantly while looking around distractingly, "Don’t mind him. Let’s have some midnight snacks."
Indeed, Richard Shaw had bought a lot of food, including all kinds of spicy snacks, stewed flavors, milk tea, and even pure water, and medicine for stomachaches and diarrhea to prevent the girls from feeling uncomfortable from eating too much spicy food, completely forgetting they were in a hospital.
"Major General Shaw is really considerate," Aurora said, her eyes sparkling. "Leah, you’re amazing in every way, including finding such a good man."
Leah felt embarrassed by Aurora’s doe-eyed admiration, smiling, "He’s okay. Actually, he’s just a blockhead, never quite sharp before. In emotional intelligence, he can’t compare to Ignatius Leclair."
Ignatius Leclair from South Nanyang increasingly became famous for obsessively pampering his wife, like a changed person. Not only that, but he also loved showing off their love, especially last time Leah got into trouble, Ignatius saw Delphine getting involved, he acted swiftly and decisively, establishing his image as a devoted husband, winning over many fans in the entertainment sector.
Aurora had also met Ignatius Leclair, finding him handsome, aloof, dignified, and elegant, clearly a distinguished family scion, adept in social graces and understanding people, while Major General Shaw seemed more of the steady and reserved type, they were not the same.
However, she still thought Griffith Squire was the best.
The two turned on the TV, excitedly sharing the midnight snacks, chatting late into the night. Aurora talked more than she had an entire year, full of envy watching Leah’s fiery and carefree demeanor.
That night, she dreamed of her past when she was cheerful and outgoing, a socialite praised by everyone in Brocade City. She knew many instruments, could paint, read extensively, was talented and skilled, and gracious in interactions. But over time, everything changed.
Her life descended from its peak into a valley, and there she met Griffith Squire, the man whose brilliance illuminated her dark life.
Aurora settled in Imperial City, unaware of the new turmoil erupting in Brocade City.
Overnight, rumors about the Coldwell Family spread all over Brocade City, and the next morning, the police received an anonymous call, prompting them to go through the motions by visiting Ian Coldwell’s hospital and the mansion where he lived before, gathering evidence.
Zoe Kingston and her daughter sat at home, as trouble seemingly fell from the sky. Originally, they were delighted after Ian Coldwell drove Aurora away, thinking even if they didn’t lift a finger, the inheritance probably wouldn’t go to her due to Ian’s distaste for her.
But just overnight, the Coldwell family got entangled in a corporate scandal, the Coldwell couple turned on each other violently, stock prices plummeted at the opening due to hostile actions? Ian Coldwell is critically ill, with little time left? One piece of news after another emerged, leaving Coldwell’s shareholders restless.
Over five days, the situation fermented as Coldwell’s assets shrank by nearly half, small investors fled while shareholders sold off stocks. Meanwhile, Brocade City blew up with several minor scandals, almost one a day. As soon as one high-profile scandal ended, another would start, and by the end of the week, the entire elite circle knew it was intentional retaliation, starting with the Coldwell family — this was revenge!
It was an utter annihilation for the Coldwell family while a warning for others. In five days, Coldwell’s assets shrank by half; it’s said Coldwell is now heavily in debt, and several major projects got stalled due to funding gaps, burning through money every day doing nothing.
This terrifying speed shocked everyone, speculating who exactly the Coldwell family had offended. Guess after guess, no one thought of Griffith Squire, although some young ones suspected Griffith, given his known connection with the Coldwell family and his capability for ruthless tactics. Yet, this speculation was scoffed at and dismissed.
Griffith Squire, said to be on the brink of death in Imperial City, whether he could survive was uncertain, how could he suppress the Coldwell family to frighten others?
Don’t be ridiculous.
The supposedly dying Griffith Squire was in the hospital enjoying food and drink, fully invigorated a week after admission and ready to be discharged anytime.
Cornelius Turner gave daily reports on Brocade City’s situation as amusement, secretly observing.
Griffith didn’t take it to heart. Suppressing the Coldwell Clan was only the first step; waiting until the stock prices dropped to the lowest level, and then buying it back with public opinions was the second step. The third? Of course, returning to Brocade City with his beloved to teach those ignoramuses a lesson.
However, Griffith was troubled by something else. These past few days, he keenly noticed Aurora’s attitude towards him was quite distant, as she only followed Leah around and depended on her more than ever, hardly ever spending time alone with him.
The single, middle-aged man Mr. Griffith Squire finally realized a problem: his sister’s charm transcends gender preferences and outshines even him.
So the bandit leader was unhappy and threw a tantrum.
"Aurora, I want to go out and sunbathe, help me out."
"Aurora, help get the phone number of that little nurse we just saw."
"Aurora, I’d like some soup you personally made."
Griffith spent the whole day seemingly at odds with Aurora. Leah was left bewildered, and seeing Aurora nearly wanting to hide behind her, she wished she could pry open her brother’s head to see if it was stuffed with straw.
Richard Shaw brought some soup from Shaw Mansion in the evening, and saw Aurora, like a wide-eyed rabbit, carrying ginseng soup into the ward, turning back to look at Leah every few steps. The man couldn’t help but squint, saying blandly, "Why is the little Coldwell girl avoiding Griffith Squire so much?"
"Griffith’s being weird. Not just Aurora, even I want to avoid him. Acting all grand, can’t serve him enough." Leah rolled her eyes and said.
Richard was slightly surprised, pondering deeply and then asking, "Leah, have you been speaking ill about Griffith Squire in front of Aurora?"
"I haven’t! Would I undermine my own brother?" Leah recalled having mentioned Griffith’s unrequited crush on Delphine and felt a bit guilty.
Only after Leah spoke did Richard softly laugh, holding her hand and saying deeply, "Leah, not all girls are straightforward and passionate as you are."
Aurora is introverted and conservative by nature. Knowing Griffith has a secret crush would only make her maintain distance. Poor single Mr. Griffith, completely oblivious that he was set up by his own sister, thought Aurora suddenly didn’t want to be close to him anymore, hence his anxious antics towards his little bunny.
Yet, with emotional intelligence like this, it seems hopeless for him to get a partner in this life. Major General Shaw’s dark eyes revealed a glimmer of amusement. Since Griffith Squire seemed to always give him attitude, well, he might as well sit back and enjoy the show, since it wasn’t him who couldn’t hold onto a spouse anyway.
