Chapter 612: Chapter 612

Landon’s private jet touched down at Solana City International Airport under the cover of night.

Zoe descended the stairs from the aircraft, wrapped in an opulent fur coat, her radiant brown curls cascading around her. She slipped into the waiting car that had come to pick her up.

After the incident with the counterfeit necklace, Landon had grounded Zoe, going so far as to confiscate her phone.

He had wanted to cut off her communication with her terrible friends, who had a bad influence on her.

In protest, Zoe had resorted to starving herself after bouts of crying and frustration. Penelope couldn’t bear to see her daughter suffer. So she had persuaded Landon to release Zoe and send the latter back to Yoarkley for a period of self-reflection instead.

By the time it was winter, Landon had reluctantly permitted Zoe to return to Cyrris. Boredom had consumed her in Yoarkley, and Landon hadn’t visited her once. It had been too much!

Zoe couldn’t contain her frustration. “Where’s Landon? Why isn’t he here to pick me up?” she complained. She unleashed her wrath on Gary Hopkins, one of Landon’s bodyguards, by incessantly kicking the front passenger seat.

Gary, who had watched Zoe grow up and was one of Landon’s trusted employees, had served Zoe for a long time.

He looked at her with warmth and offered a vague response. “Well, Mr. Landon. He’s been quite busy lately.”

Zoe’s tears flowed as she punched the seat relentlessly. “Landon has changed! He’s not as good to me as he used to be! He always picked me up, no matter how busy he was!

“He never called me even once when I was in Yoarkley. He clearly doesn’t care about his sister anymore.”

Her tantrum escalated into a fit of tears. Gary felt a pang of sympathy for her. He mustered his courage and whispered, ‘Ms. Zoe, I’ll tell you something, but please stay calm after you hear it.”

“What’s it?” She sniffled, taking the napkin from Gary.

Gary hesitated before confessing. “Mr. Landon hasn’t been in touch with you because… he’s been involved with Ms. Lauren.” He broached the sensitive topic carefully.

“What did you say?” Zoe exclaimed in disbelief.

“That’s not all,” Gary continued, moving closer to her and deciding to reveal the whole truth.

“He’s been staying with Ms. Lauren for a few days now.”

“That’s impossible!” Zoe raged, her eyes filled with hatred. “How could that idiot marry a Harper?

Besides, my brother has never brought any woman home!”

“No, Mr. Landon didn’t bring her home. They’re staying elsewhere.”

Upon hearing this, Zoe felt a ‘wave of dizziness wash over her. “Where is that place? Take me there right now!”

Landon’s private villa was located in an affluent, hilly neighborhood in Solana City. The white walls and green tiles of the villa were symbols of wealth.

Though not as stately as the Harper Residence, it offered a lush environment, making it an ideal setting for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Landon had dedicated himself to caring for Lauren as she recuperated from her injury, forsaking work and other commitments.

Formerly a nightlife-loving playboy, he now willingly stayed in, fully devoted to Lauren. This change made Angelina feel like she was getting to know him again.

“Landon, I made something for you! Come and see,” Lauren beamed, pulling him toward the backyard.

She was wrapped in a red cloak with white fur trim.

Angelina stared at the youthful face under the red cloak, thinking that Lauren resembled a princess.

Even as a fellow woman, she had developed a fondness for the lovable Lauren. It was no surprise that Landon adored Lauren.

“Slow down! There’s some snow on the ground. Don’t slip,” Landon reminded Lauren tenderly.

These days, he carried her across the villa and hardly allowed her to walk around unless it was absolutely necessary, such as for a bath or a trip to the bathroom.

He pampered and doted on her like never before.

The backyard was a tranquil winter wonderland, with a delicate dusting of snow on the trees and shrubs.

Laure appeared like a blossoming camellia in the snow, enchanting Landon.

“Look, Landon!” she exclaimed, her cold right hand securely held in Landon’s warm grip. She pointed at a Her eyes sparkled as she proudly proclaimed, “I made this snowman for you. Isn’t it lovely?”

Landon was pleased with the snowman, but upon closer inspection, he was left momentarily speechless.

A rather unflattering photo of himself was plastered on the snowman’s face. Not only that, Lauren had picked one of his worst photos, printed in black and white.

*Laurie, I have plenty of good pictures. Why did you choose this one?” Landon grumbled, feeling a bit bewildered.

“Um, I took that picture of you secretly. I wanted it to be a surprise,” she replied, her bright eyes looking up at him.

“But why is it in black and white?”

“The printer ran out of color ink…”

Landon sighed and managed a wry smile as he gently ruffled her hair through her red hood. Well, he appreciated her gift. He shouldn’t have expected more.

Out of nowhere, Landon’s Dobermann, Richie, dashed out. He began barking and charging straight at the snowman.

*Richie, come here!” Landon shouted in worry, but it was too late. Richie had knocked the snowman’s head off.

The dog wagged his tail and barked excitedly, while Lauren blinked and jokingly remarked, “Uh, Landon, your head just rolled off.”

Landon clenched his fists. In a playful mood, Richie started nudging the snowball around. Lauren remarked, “Wow, Richle is playing with your head like a ball!”

Landon gritted his teeth and exclaimed, “Richie McRich, how dare you kick my head around! I’ll have to send you away!”

Richie seemed to understand Landon’s tone and gave Lauren a pleading look, whining softly.

“No! Don’t punish Richie!” Lauren playfully protested, swaying Landon’s arms.

‘I’ll rebuild the snowman. Just wait for me.”

Landon was utterly charmed by Lauren’s antics. He watched her tenderly as he added, “Richle, you’d be in big trouble if your mom hadn’t put in a good word for you.”

He had blurted that out without thinking, and his heart raced with anticipation. Fortunately, Lauren hadn’t.

heard him, as she was engrossed in rebuilding the snowman.

Somehow, he wished she had heard his unintentional confession.