Chapter 363
Bang.
The door swung open.
Bang.
And it shut again.
The room must have just been cleaned, airing out with the window cracked open, because every sound inside drifted straight out.
A girl’s sugary, clingy voice floated over. “Sisi, I’m exhausted p>
“I’ll massage you p>
“Okay p>
A moment later, her voice popped up again, sharper this time. “Hey—where are your hands going p>
“Didn’t you say you were tired p>
“It’s a full?body massage. Nothing gets skipped p>
Victor’s long, pale fingers slowly lifted, his fingertip brushing across his lower lip. For a second, that death?still gaze of his looked like someone had tossed in two stones, tiny ripples breaking the surface.
“Mr. Victor p>
Someone called from a distance. “The butler asked me to come help you with some paperwork p>
Victor didn’t answer.
He smothered that flicker of emotion in an instant.
By the time the servant approached, cautious and respectful, ready to lead the way, he had already slipped back into that cold, silent shell of his.
Tobias Hastings volunteered himself, acting all confident as he offered Lisette Cavendish a massage.
But, well… a guy’s gonna be a guy. His hands started out behaving, and the next second he was already sneaking under the covers like it was his natural habitat.
Lisette leaned lazily against his chest, so tired she couldn’t even swat his wandering hands away.
“Quit it… I’m sleepy p>
Tobias kept his slow, steady rhythm, voice low and calm as he worked on her shoulders.
“Relaxing your muscles. You’ve been tense p>
“No need p>
Lisette yawned so wide her eyes teared up.
“Don’t overdo it. You still have to go to the company tomorrow, remember p>
These days he’d been stuck with her at the Palace Residences. When he wasn’t “teaching” her, he was juggling royal matters and Hastings Group documents. He’d lost weight from the grind, while she, on the other hand, had been stuffed by every friend and elder they visited—she’d actually gained three pounds.
Three full pounds.
Grandma Eleanor was thrilled, praising her every day, saying she looked adorable with a little roundness.
Lisette honestly felt like everyone had collectively inflated her like a balloon.
Round.
Completely round.
Frustrated, she poked Tobias’s chest.
“All the weight you lost somehow ran over to me p>
“That’s a vivid description p>
Tobias suddenly chuckled, rolled over, and pinned her beneath him, eyes glinting with mischief.
“If you don’t mind, my weight can stay on you forever. See? It doesn’t even want to go back p>
“Ugh—Tobias Hastings! You’re being a perv again p>
“I’m simply living up to the nickname you gave me p>
And then, just like that, he stopped holding back and charged straight toward his target.
Lisette felt her entire world flip upside down.
Back in Aurelian, Tobias Hastings dove straight into work, finally starting to clean out the leeches hiding inside the Hastings Group.
The whole company felt like it was buried under a storm cloud.
But Lisette Cavendish had absolute faith in her husband. With his skills, it was only a matter of time before everything cleared up and the sun came back out.
While Tobias was running around fixing things, Lisette wasn’t slacking either.
One of her major tasks on this trip home was signing Victoria Cooper.
After dropping Tobias off at the office, she took her two assistants, Hannah Jameson and Amber West, and with Victor tagging along, headed straight for Victoria’s place.
The car stopped at an old alley.
The path inside was too narrow for cars, so Lisette got out and led everyone in on foot.
Hutong culture was one of old Aurelian’s most iconic traits.
The moment they stepped into the alley, the weathered bricks and peeling walls gave off this heavy sense of time—like every corner was carrying decades of stories.
Ginkgo trees lined the narrow street, and since it was late May, the leaves were still tiny and tender.
Sunlight spilled across the gray brick road, warm and gentle.
A light rain had fallen last night, and a bunch of jujube blossoms had been knocked down.
When Lisette and the others stepped into Victoria Cooper’s courtyard, Laura Cooper was in the middle of sweeping.
Mud?stained petals were piled on the ground, and she was almost done cleaning.
Hearing movement, she paused and looked up, surprised. “Um… may I ask who you’re looking for p>
Laura looked a lot like Victoria—soft features, warm vibe, the kind of gentle smile that made people instantly relax.
Lisette flashed a bright grin. “Auntie, is Victoria home p>
“Vicky went out.” Laura asked softly, “Are you her friends p>
“Yes! We met on the Battle Hymn crew in Fenworth. Since I happened to be back in Aurelian, I wanted to stop by and visit her p>
“Oh, I see p>
Laura Cooper finally confirmed who Lisette Cavendish was. She gave her a warm smile and said, “Victoria should be back any minute. If you don’t mind, dear, come inside and sit for a bit p>
She set the broom down and wiped her hands on her apron, clearly ready to welcome Lisette in.
“I’m free today, no rush,” Lisette said as she casually picked up the broom Laura had just put aside. “Let me help you clean the yard p>
Amber West’s eyelid twitched hard. Miss Lisette, who grew up never touching anything more troublesome than a teacup… If His Majesty and Tobias Hastings saw her wielding that giant broom, they’d probably fire her on the spot p>
Amber lunged forward and snatched the broom. “I’ll do it, I’ll do it p>
Lisette didn’t argue. She just stuffed the broom into Amber’s arms and ordered, “Make sure it’s actually clean p>
Amber stared at her. p>
Okay, fine, she hadn’t expected Lisette to actually fight her for the chore, but couldn’t she at least *pretend* to be polite?
Lisette nudged her. “What are you spacing out for? Get moving p>
Then she shot Amber a quick, dramatic once-over. “And seriously, what have you been eating lately? Your face is getting round. Start cutting back p>
Amber pouted. “The food at the Palace Residences is amazing… I’m not the only one getting round p>
Lisette narrowed her eyes. “What was that p>
“I’m sweeping! Sweeping right now p>
Accepting her fate, Amber hoisted the broom and started cleaning.
She might have come from the Lu family’s household staff, but her grandfather was the head butler and spoiled her rotten. She was basically half a young lady herself—never touched this kind of heavy work. Even the way she held the broom looked wrong, and every stroke seemed like a battle.
Laura Cooper watched for two seconds and instantly knew Amber wasn’t used to chores. Even the girl’s *assistant* had delicate hands—there was no need to guess Lisette’s status.
She rushed over to stop her. “Dear, really, let me do it. You’re a guest, how could I ask you to handle this p>
Amber hugged the broom and darted a glance at Lisette. “It’s fine, Auntie Laura. I’ve gained weight lately. Perfect chance to work it off p>
“This p>
Suddenly, a loud crash exploded near the gate, followed by a group of teenage boys shouting with wild arrogance.
“Jacob Cooper! Get out here right now p>
Right then, five or six teenagers with loud red, yellow, and blue hair barged in like they owned the place.
They stormed through the gate, each of them gripping a metal rod as if they were filming some street?gang promo.
Laura Cooper was so startled she nearly dropped the broom.
“You… what are you kids doing here p>
“Where’s Jacob Cooper? Tell him to get out here p>
The guy in the lead clenched his jaw, the bruise at the corner of his eye making him look even more pissed. He practically spat out Jacob’s name like it tasted bitter.
Laura answered honestly, voice trembling, “Jacob went out to buy groceries. W?why are you looking for him p>
The boy snorted. “He jumped me last night. So today I brought my boys to return the favor. I’m not leaving until he’s on his knees crying for mercy.” He swung the metal rod in his hand, the threat hanging in the air.
Laura’s lips quivered as she backed toward the house. “You must be mistaken. Jacob would never hit someone for no reason p>
“Yeah, right p>
A guy behind him shouted, “Tiger, she’s totally trying to warn Jacob p>
The leader’s eyes darkened. “Stop her p>
And just then, a sharp scream shot out from inside the house, followed by p>