With a heavy heart, he glanced at his phone, disappointed to find no response to the text he had sent.
Alexis was absent from Albertâs wedding.
Leonel pondered whether Alexis skipped the wedding due to discomfort from fetal movements.
She remained silent.
In the late hours, Leonel found himself unable to resist the urge to reach for a pack of cigarettes in the car, attempting to extract one.
Despite having quit smoking, he felt compelled to indulge in a cigarette at this moment, longing for its rejuvenating effect.
The villaâs gate swung open, revealing the butlerâs arrival.
Leonel tossed the cigarette case back into his car.
The butler, upon seeing Leonel, voiced his surprise.
âMr.
Douglas, youâre out and about quite late.
Why not retire for the night? What brings you here? Mr.
Fowler mentioned a possible intruder, though I find it hard to believe.
Even a thief would find the cold too much.
Yet here I am to check.
Didnât expect to see you though!â
Leonelâs gaze was penetrating.
Unfazed by the butlerâs sarcasm, Leonel inquired softly, âHow is Alexis? Is she alright?â
The butler paused before responding, âMiss Fowler is well.
Was there a reason to think otherwise?â
âWhy did she miss Albertâs wedding?â
The butler chuckled.
âI have no answers for that.
Itâs her choice, after all.
Letâs not dwell on it.
You should focus more on Daniel and Evelyn and move forward.
â
Leonel regarded the butler with a silent, penetrating gaze.
He cast his gaze downward and murmured, âUnderstood.
Thank you.
â With that, Leonel slipped into his car, ignited the engine, and drove off into the night.
Throughout the lengthy night, the butler lingered, shaking his head with a hint of sorrow.
âSuch a shame! They were once so close as children.
â
The butler returned to report, ascending to the second floor and gently pushing open the door of a bedroom.
Inside, Alexis lounged against the sofa, a heater positioned nearby.
Though the temperature at home wasnât particularly chilly, Alexis enjoyed leaning against the heater, a habit she had developed the previous winter.
Her belly had yet to swell, and she appeared slender.
Catching sight of the butler entering, she lifted her gaze and inquired softly, âHas he left?â
With a sigh, the butler confirmed, âYes, heâs gone.
Miss Fowler, itâs late.
You should retire for the night.
â
Alexis nodded, draping a shawl around her shoulders as she made her way into the bedroom.
Pausing momentarily, the butler noticed the phone on the tea table.
He suspected that Leonel had texted Alexis, preventing her from falling asleep and prompting her to request his assistance in asking Leonel to leave.