Chapter 7 Caspian to Stay

Caspian followed her down and calmly pressed the doorbell.

Michael had already driven Sophie home, and his car was prominently parked in the garage.

Michael opened the door and warmly welcomed Victoria to stay, leading her along: "Just had someone fix up the third-floor room. Take a look and let me know if you need anything!"

Victoria wasn't quite used to his enthusiasm and kept her distance, following behind him upstairs.

Downstairs, Caspian paused for a moment, then slowly followed.

Michael turned around and saw him, asking curiously: "It's getting late, Caspian, aren't you leaving?"

Caspian: "I'm staying here for the next few days."

Michael was puzzled: "I don't mind you staying... but isn't your villa right next door?"

When they were kids, they used to play together all the time. Even as adults, their relationship was good, though there was some distance between them now. Caspian didn't usually like staying at other people's places.

Caspian glanced at him casually: "It's being renovated, can't stay there."

Michael was speechless: "Didn't you just finish renovating a while ago? Renovating again?"

Besides, Caspian owned so many properties in Emerald City - even if one was being renovated, they couldn't all be under construction, right?

Caspian said carelessly, "Failed inspection, had to redo it."

"Oh, well, help yourself, stay in whichever room you want!" Michael gave up trying to figure it out.

The villa had plenty of rooms anyway, all fully furnished.

Michael focused his attention on Victoria, thoughtfully reminding her, "Watch the steps, I'll take you upstairs to see the room."

There were two rooms on the third floor. One had already been set up with good ventilation and lighting, decorated in warm tones - not too plain, but not too cutesy either.

Michael showed her in, gave her a few more instructions, then thoughtfully left to give her some privacy.

Victoria looked around, then turned and went into the bathroom.

Michael had been thorough - the closet already had several outfits, not particularly expensive, but made of soft, comfortable fabric.

After her shower, Victoria changed into her clothes and went downstairs for some water.

The clothes were a bit loose, hanging empty around her waist, not quite the right fit.

"Too big." Michael was leaning against the fridge, drinking a beverage. Seeing her, he scratched his head sheepishly: "These are Emily's size from before. I thought you two had similar builds, so I bought them based on her clothes. Sorry about that, Victoria. Let's go shopping tomorrow and get you some more clothes."

"No need." Victoria took some warm water. "This is fine."

"No way." Michael's attitude was firm. "My sister can't go around with hardly any clothes!"

"It's not necessary." Victoria sighed, not understanding why they were so obsessed with clothes. Did she look that poorly dressed?

"I already took her shopping." A cool voice came from the doorway.

Caspian had apparently just showered too, his hair still wet, water droplets sliding down the damp strands into his neck.

Maybe from several days of poor sleep, there were faint dark circles under his eyes - not scary, but rather full of masculine appeal.

"You already bought her clothes?" Michael paused for a moment, then stopped insisting.

Before Victoria went upstairs, he called out to her and pulled out a black card: "Victoria, I don't really have anything else to give you. My vacation's ending in a few days, and once I get busy, I probably won't be able to look after you much. Take this card. Whatever you need or want, just buy it yourself!"

Victoria's eyes lingered on the card. She'd had one before - David used to transfer all the money from selling pills into that card.

The black card was the most prestigious kind, only issued for accounts with at least ten million.

This meant Michael was casually giving her ten million.

Victoria raised an eyebrow and refused: "I can't take this."

"You have to!" Michael was half serious, half joking: "If you won't even accept this small gift, my dad will probably kill me when he gets back!"

His gesture left no room for argument.

Victoria lowered her head, gripping the card tightly, her lips moving: "Thank you."

"Don't mention it!" Michael smiled: "We're family, it's what we do. Go get some sleep!"

Victoria went upstairs, but his words kept echoing in her mind.

So this is what family feels like?

The bedding in the villa was soft and comfortable, yet she unexpectedly couldn't sleep, only drifting off in a daze late into the night.

The next day, the sun was bright, shining through the gaps in the curtains.

Victoria opened her eyes and reached for her phone to check the time - 8 AM. She'd never gotten up this late before.

After washing up and coming downstairs, the huge villa was very quiet, with only a faint aroma coming from the kitchen.

Smelling the food, Victoria realized she was already hungry.

Approaching the kitchen, Victoria stopped in her tracks when she saw the figure inside, her expression turning strange.

In the kitchen, a man in a white shirt moved with elegant composure. Just from his form, he didn't look like he was cooking, but rather engaging in some aristocratic sport.

The sunlight streamed through the glass window onto the man's straight nose, turning his thick, curled lashes golden.

Even though Victoria didn't focus on appearances, she couldn't help but think: This man is exceptionally good-looking!

Both his bone structure and features were one in ten thousand.

"You're up?" Caspian noticed her, the sunlight turning his eyes pale gold: "Breakfast is almost ready."

Victoria snapped back to reality, her lips moving: "Thank you, Caspian."

With a hint of just-woken drowsiness, her voice was incredibly soft!

Caspian had made fried eggs, toast, and milk - simple but fragrant.

Two place settings were laid out together. Victoria suddenly realized they seemed like a couple who'd been together for years, warm and in sync.

Just as she was about to sit down for the meal, the doorbell rang.

Victoria got up to open the door and was met with an impatient face: "This is the Emerald City High School campus card. Just take it to school tomorrow."

Sophie was extremely annoyed. Her mom had gone to the spa with a friend, leaving her to deliver Victoria's campus card.

Despite her mother's reminder yesterday, she didn't want to see this face again.

Victoria sensed her hostility and silently took the campus card, saying calmly: "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Sophie looked up, about to leave, when she saw someone inside leisurely drinking milk. Her eyes instantly lit up, and her voice turned syrupy: "Victoria, are you having breakfast? I haven't eaten yet. Can I stay and have breakfast?"

Victoria turned to glance at Caspian, then said flatly: "There are only two servings."

Sophie didn't care what she said and had already entered the living room from beside her, changing her shoes while saying carelessly: "Victoria, just make another one! I came all this way to bring you the card."

She'd already seen the food on the table, and a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes: "You're making Caspian eat this? Isn't that too basic?"

At the table, the man frowned imperceptibly and put down his milk glass: "I made breakfast."

Sophie's legs went weak, her eyes widening in disbelief.

In Lucent, everyone knew Caspian was refined and aloof, untouchable! And he actually cooked breakfast for Victoria himself?