My Twin Sister's Boyfriend Loves Me

Chatters filled the corridors as a lavish birthday party took place at Lingerfield's most prestigious hotel. The entire staff had put in a lot of effort to make the venue look as enchanting as possible to celebrate the Darving Group's old chairman, Morris Darving.

Celebrities and renowned business owners enthusiastically exchanged greetings outside, but the VIP lounge at the end of the corridor remained still and quiet. It was completely soundproof, so nothing could be heard from outside.

Inside, Tanya Yates scanned her entirety in the mirror and subconsciously grabbed the hem of her dress, which was as white as snow.

Even though the gown suited her well, it belonged to her twin sister, not hers. Tanya was a humble woman who had never worn such stunning dresses and had never attended a celebration of such importance. Thus, her heart kept pounding when she planned to walk outside as if horses were running on her chest.

But then her sister's reassurance replayed on her mind, causing her to stop in her tracks.

She remembered Tina reminding her, "Tanya, only dad knows I have a twin sister, okay? He's pretty drunk, so the driver already took him home. Once you arrive at the venue, talk less and be cautious. If you do that, you'll be fine. I guarantee that no one will realize you're not me."

Tanya was yet to say a word, but Tina spoke again, saying, "Anyway, I have to go now. Remember, don't overexpose yourself to the crowd, especially in front of Leon. I can't rush to your aid if anything happens."

Helpless, Tanya shook her head and composed herself back to reality. She took a deep breath and reached for the doorknob. However, just as she was about to turn it, someone forcefully opened the door from outside, causing her to lose her balance.

Fortunately, the man was able to hold her waist tightly in time.

"Tina, what are you doing here? I've been looking for you," the man muttered with his souleating blue eyes.

"I'm not..." Tanya defensively replied, wanting to deny she wasn't Tina. However, her sister's warning flashed in her mind, stopping her from finishing her sentence.

"Not what?" the man chuckled as he asked. After that, he suddenly pressed Tanya against the door and claimed her lips without saying anything.

Things happened so fast that Tanya's mind went utterly blank. Her cheeks reddened with her ears, surprised by what the man did.

Tanya could smell the wine on his breath, stimulating her hormones for some reason. The man smothered her with passionate kisses for a long time before slowly raising his deep mesmerizing eyes at her and holding her chin lightly.

"How can you be so beautiful?" he uttered.

They had already shared one breathtaking kiss, yet Tanya only got to see the man's face now. As soon as their eyes met, coldness traveled across her body.

She recognized him and was a hundred percent sure she wasn't mistaken.

The man before her was Leon Darving: the third grandson of Morris Darving, the heir of the Darving Group, and her sister's date at the party.

Leon was no ordinary man, so Tanya had already seen his pictures on the news and various social media platforms. She had always found him attractive, but she didn't expect him to be more charming and imposing in person.

Nevertheless, Tanya could tell by Leon's appearance that he was already intoxicated. He had already rolled up his sleeves, and his tie was hanging diagonally across his chest.

Suddenly, Leon winked at Tanya like a dangerous wild leopard. The latter, on the other hand, was like a feeble prey caught in his trap, scared but didn't know where to run.

Breaking all laws of personal space, he caressed her face and suggestively smiled as he said, "I can see that you genuinely want to be my wife, Tina."

"I..." Tanya stammered as she spoke.

Blazing with lust, Leon didn't let her finish her sentence. Instead, he lowered his head and swiftly kissed her again. Then, he pushed her onto the sofa.

The night deepened, and so did Leon's kisses. His hand soon traveled on her body, hungrily marking his territory. Eyes steady on her, he bit her bottom lip and removed her panties with a subtle lift of her hips. Not long after, Leon and Tanya's flesh became one.

The situation calmed down shortly after that, and Leon fell asleep.

Tanya, on the other hand, looked at the swaying curtain for a long time, unable to process what had just happened. She couldn't believe she let a man she had only seen on the news take her innocence instead of screaming for help or running away.

Wanting to verify if everything was real, Tanya pinched her skin, causing her to wince in pain. With that, she snapped back to reality.

Determined to escape, she rose from the couch quietly and quickly changed back into her clothes. Since Tina was wearing her sneakers, Tanya had no choice but to wear high heels. But since the latter had never grown accustomed to wearing it, she tripped before she could even walk far enough, breaking her ankle.

Of course, Tanya couldn't help but scream in pain. However, she immediately covered her mouth when she heard Leon's soft grunt behind her.

'I need to get out of here now!' she thought.

Tanya then limped out of the room in a huff. She didn't even glance back at Leon once, not wanting to get caught.

The latter, on the other hand, woke up at eight o'clock in the morning after sleeping like a baby. However, even if the alcohol had successfully replenished his drive last night, it made his head throb in pain the next day.

When Leon opened his eyes, what flashed next to him was a snowwhite gown with a scarlet mark at the lower part. It went without saying that people who constantly let themselves drown in alcohol usually forget what happened the night before, but Leon was different.

As soon as he saw the stain on the gown, his eyes automatically glimmered in delight, vibrantly remembering everything.

He then searched the room, but aside from the gown in his hand, he didn't find any trace of Tina inside.

Frowning, Leon lit a cigarette like he always did, reached for his phone, and called his assistant, Eddie Jackson.

Not long after, someone knocked on the door.

It was Eddie, of course. He walked in a dignified manner and handed a paper bag with a brand new shirt and suit as ordered.

"Here are your clothes, Sir. You may now change," Eddie said.

The latter was just about Leon's age, and it was pretty evident that he was Leon's most trusted confidant. In fact, he recruited Eddie himself.

"When did Tina leave last night?" Leon asked after puffing on his cigarette.

"Miss Yates? Sorry, I didn't notice," Eddie apologetically said and added, "Do you want me to look at the CCTV?"

Hearing that, Leon waved his hand, implying there was no need to do that. For him, what happened between them last night had already happened, so it no longer mattered when she left.

Nodding, Eddie assisted Leon in wearing his suit. After that, he handed an ebony box to him, saying, "Mr. Morris told me to give this to you, Sir Leon. He said that if you genuinely fancy Miss Yates, you can give this to her as a gift."

Leon nodded at Eddie's words and directly opened the box. As soon as he did that, he saw a golden rose inside. Its details were neatly crafted, and it looked unmistakably expensive.

Because of that, Leon couldn't help but think, 'Seems like grandpa wants Tina to be his granddaughterinlaw.'

Leon, unlike typical children, didn't go through a vibrant childhood. When he was young, his grandfather, Morris, had subjected him to a thorough, rigorous, and demanding education and training. Morris had set high expectations not just for him but also for his cousins. Of course, Leon struggled to get ahead as one of the youngest. It had been challenging for him to outdo everyone and become the heir of Darving Groups, a billiondollar business.

Thus, his goal was to marry a woman with an impressive background and secure his heirship.

That was when Tina came into the picture. The Yates family had ensured that Tina would receive nothing but the most excellent education. Because of that, the latter had been molded into a fine, talented, and outstanding lady since childhood. Tina was even announced as the most promising new designer when she participated in the International Jewelry Design Competition. So, with her unparalleled achievements, Leon chose to pursue her among thousands of famous ladies in the city.

Choosing a woman to marry was usually a decision that had to be thought of several times. Of course, achievements alone shouldn't be enough basis to decide quickly. However, Leon's hesitations instantly dissipated into thin air upon remembering that Tina even gave him her virginity last night. He thought they could work it out.

Decided and determined, Leon turned to Eddie and instructed, "Eddie, search for the Yates family's address. I want to pay them a visit."

Eddie, of course, didn't ask further questions and directly sent the address to Leon's number in no time.

Leon fixed himself in the hotel room, wanting to look decent. After that, he drove straight to the Yates family's villa, which was not far from where the Darving family was. Unsurprisingly, their villas were in the northern part of Lingerfield, where all houses were secluded and elegant.

While Leon was on his way, Nathanael Fuller called and asked, "So, how was it? Did you have a blast with Tina last night? You did, right?"

With that, Leon sneered and replied, "I'm sorry to step on your confidence, but you've misjudged her, Mr. Fuller."

Traces of mockery sounded in Leon's tone, so Nathanael instantly understood what he meant.

"Come on, man! You're hallucinating. Based on my experience, women like Tina, who looks noble, are thirsty and untamed. She's not as innocent as you think, dude. If you don't believe me, be bold and try," Nathanael explained in confidence.

However, Leon only hissed and said, "I've tried, and you're wrong."

"Wait, what?! That's impossible!" Nathanael exclaimed in disbelief.

Leon and Nathanael had been best friends for over a decade. The latter, unlike the former, had long been considered a notorious womanizer of Lingerfield's highclass society, so he had all sorts of experiences with women.

Because of that, Leon didn't bother to argue. He knew Nathanael would only stand firm on his ground. Also, if it weren't for the latter, Leon would have been more gentle with Tina last night. He wouldn't have torn her gown or had sex with her on the couch.

Unable to believe it still, Nathanael frustratedly said, "How is that even possible? Don't tell me she's a virgin?"

"She is, though," Leon directly replied, smiling.

With that, Nathanael fell into silence for a moment. After a while, he exclaimed, "What the hell, dude?! Really?"

"Why? Do you think I can't distinguish a virgin?" Leon asked, raising his brows even though Nathanael couldn't see him.

The latter was still a little doubtful, but he laughed anyway. He said, "Alright, man! I believe you. Well, you've found your girl! Take good care of her, and don't let go. I hope you can get married as soon as possible."

"You're useless!" Leon exclaimed and dropped the call as traces of annoyance flashed on his face. Still, they faded when he remembered his intimate moment with Tina last night.

Leon then kept driving his black Bentley down the boulevard and up the hill ahead until he saw the white carved gate of the Yates family.

On the right side of the same boulevard, Tanya limped unhurriedly.

It was only September morning, so it was still hot. Beads of sweat then formed on Tanya's forehead, causing her to stop in her tracks and catch her breath.

The Yates family's building was on Lot 18, but she told the taxi driver it was on Lot 28. Because of that, she had to pay an extra six bucks in fare and even walk backward. Tanya, however, couldn't blame anyone but herself for making a mistake.

Right at that moment, Leon turned his car on the corner and caught a glimpse of a familiar face.

'Tina?' he called in his mind.

After that, he honked his horn and pulled over.

Tanya, on the other hand, wiped her sweat and prepared to move on. When she was about to take a step, a tall man blocked her way.

'Mr. Darving...' she inwardly called upon seeing Leon's face, her mind a mess.

"Where are you going, Tina?" Leon asked as he tried to get a better view of Tanya's face, who deliberately avoided his gaze.

Unprepared for the sudden encounter, Tanya remained silent in nervousness. She didn't dare say or do anything that might put her and Tina in a problematic situation.

Hearing no response from her, Leon narrowed his eyes and looked closely at Tanya. Then, he confidently concluded, "You're not Tina, are you?"

Tina was wellknown as Lingerfield's most famous fashionista. Exaggeration aside, people would always turn their heads and check her out regardless of where she was. Tina, admiringly, had always spoken and moved like a queen, constantly exuding class and confidence. She had always looked dazzling, even when she wore nothing but jeans and a shirt.

Some twins had distinguishing features that differentiated them, but Tanya and Tina looked immensely identical. The former's lips, eyes, nose, and even body resembled Tina's entirely.

The two, however, had temperaments that were utterly different from one another. That was also why Leon knew the girl in front of him was not Tina, even though she looked an awful lot like her.

Unsure of what to say, Tanya ignored Leon's question and lowered her head. She tried to leave, but the latter stopped him.

"You know Tina, don't you? How are you related to her?" Leon asked in his deep, majestic voice, which was different from how he sounded last night.

"I— I'm her sister," Tanya truthfully replied. When her gaze fell on the silver buttons on Leon's shirt, her body warmed increasingly for no reason.

"Tina has a twin sister? How come she didn't mention anything about you?" Leon asked in disbelief upon hearing about it for the first time.

Not wanting to appear suspicious, Tanya cleared her throat softly and explained, "Tina and I didn't grow up together. I got lost when I was two years old and was later adopted. I only got to meet her last month."

Only after speaking did Tanya realize she didn't owe him any explanation. Perhaps, it was hormones that urged her to open up.

Uninterested in staying any longer, Tanya nodded and said, "I don't mean to be rude, but I have to go, Mr. Darving. It was nice meeting you."

Still, Leon didn't get out of her way. Instead, he knitted his brows suspiciously and asked, "How did you know who I am?"

Tanya panicked inwardly for a second, realizing this was supposed to be their first encounter. However, she immediately composed herself and thought of an excuse.

"You are the successor of the Darving Group, right? You're Leon Darving, and my sister was your date last night," Tanya calmly replied.

"You're quite updated, huh?" Leon said with a smirk.

"Well, my sister mentions you a lot," Tanya said in defense, not wanting to raise suspicion.

Leon had never been fond of smiling and being soft in front of others, but since Tanya was Tina's sister, he spoke moderately.

He said, "She does? Then maybe I'll be your brotherinlaw sooner or later."

Tanya felt uncomfortable hearing Leon's words, so she diverted her gaze elsewhere. It wasn't that she didn't want to hear him talking about her sister, but his mere sight reminded her of the intimate moment they shared last night.

Thinking about what happened, Tanya's cheeks inevitably warmed.

"I'm sorry, but I have something urgent to attend to. I don't have time to chat," Tanya reasoned and hurriedly turned to leave.

Leon didn't plan to stop her, but he saw her limping as she walked. Concerned, he walked after her, grabbed her by the arm, and made her face him again.

Tanya, on the other hand, stood frozen on her spot because of Leon's touch. There were traces of fright and vigilance on her face, which the latter didn't understand.

Leon thought, 'I didn't expect her to be so timid.'

After brushing off that thought, he said, "You seem to have hurt your leg. Let me give you a ride."

"No, I'm fine. You don't have to bother," Tanya readily refused.

However, Leon only said, "Didn't you say you have something urgent to attend to?"

Tanya glanced at the black Bentley parked on their side. After hesitating for a few seconds, she inwardly exhaled a breath of helplessness, thinking, 'Fine. I brought this to myself.'

"Right. Thanks," she said.

Tanya got in the car, and Leon wasted no time. He quickly turned the engine on and drove. The sun rays, on the other hand, seeped through the car's window, highlighting Leon's picturesque face.

Tanya stared in the rearview mirror in awe, clutching the cloth bag in her lap, not daring to make a sound.

Suddenly, their eyes met.

'He's looking at me!' Tanya thought as she averted her gaze in panic.

Leon, on the contrary, only shrugged and continued driving. His eyes remained focused on the road, but he kept thinking how Tina and Tanya could look so alike anywhere he looked. He even thought that he wouldn't be able to recognize who was who if the two had the same temperament.

When Leon was about to give up on looking for a difference, his sharp eyes suddenly caught something.

Looking at the rearview mirror, he saw two purplish red marks on Tanya's neck right below her ear.

Of course, Leon was a man who knew what that was.

With that, only one thought surged in his mind.

'No wonder people have always said not to judge a book by its cover. Tina was liberal and bold, but she was a virgin. Her sister, on the contrary, looks timid, but she seems to have a wild side.'

Unable to endure the silence any longer, Leon faked a cough and asked, "Were you at the party last night? Tina and your father are there, but I don't think I saw you."

With last night's party being brought up, Tanya blushed and coughed.

'Shit!' she inwardly remarked.

Tanya tried her hardest to remain calm and composed. After clearing her mind, she adjusted her sitting position and said, "I had to do something last night, so I didn't go. Sorry."

Hearing Tanya's answer made Leon's smile turn more mischievous. Thinking that she got the kiss mark on her neck last night, he only nodded and said, "No, you don't have to apologize. It's just a party, and you're not obligated to attend. Anyway, what's your name?"

Tanya, however, pretended not to hear his question and shifted her attention to the window. She didn't want to engage in a conversation.

Hearing no response from her, Leon didn't ask further questions. He focused on driving until they arrived in front of the white carved gate of the Yates family.

Seeing the modern Europeanstyle villa with three floors sent an indescribable feeling to Tanya's heart. Needless to say, the Yates family's estate looked nothing close to where she lived. Tanya's thoughts wandered for a second, but she quickly composed herself and turned to Leon.

"It's Tanya," she softly said as she opened the car door and said thanks almost inaudibly.

Leon got confused for a second until he realized she had merely answered his previous question.

Nodding, he thought, 'Tina and Tanya. Their names are almost the same.'

Not long after their arrival, the carved gate slowly opened.

The Yates family's butler, Mark Lewis, came out carrying a suitcase in his hand. Tina soon walked after him.

She was wearing white widelegged highwaisted pants, a red sleeveless silk blouse, trendy sunglasses, and a white sun hat on her head. What made her even more compelling was that her long brown hair tucked underneath her hat moved gracefully in response to the refreshing breeze. Tina, as always, looked like a subject that had just stepped out of a painting.

The latter didn't know Leon was coming, so seeing his black Bentley surprised her. She was about to greet him when her eyes fell on Tanya, who had just gotten off Leon's car.

"Tanya?" Tina called, even deliberately taking off her sunglasses to check. "It's really you! Why are you with Mr. Darving?" she asked, immensely surprised.

When Tanya didn't answer, Leon replied on her behalf, saying, "I happened to come across her on my way here."

Even though Tanya reported almost everything that happened at the party last night to Tina, the latter remained doubtful.

Tanya told her Leon went to the VIP lounge to look for her but soon passed out from intoxication. Then, she claimed she left before Leon woke up, but Tina wondered if it was just a coincidence that they came into the villa together.

Not wanting to waste time, Tanya walked directly toward Tina despite the pain in her ankle.

"Tina," she called as she pulled Tina to the other side of the gate so that Leon would not overhear their conversation.

After keeping their distance, Tanya looked at Tina with a troubled expression as she said, "I came here because of our deal, Tina. You promised to transfer one hundred thousand bucks to me if I attend the party on your behalf. I did everything you asked for, but I haven't received the money yet. You are not answering my calls either."

Tina frowned upon hearing Tanya's purpose of visit. She looked at Leon first before rolling her eyes at her sister, saying, "It's just one hundred thousand dollars, Tanya. What's the hurry?"

Tanya's eyes started to tear up upon hearing Tina's remark. Unable to conceal her emotion, she snapped and said, "Tina, one hundred thousand dollars may not seem like much to you, but it will help me a lot. My mother is having her surgery this afternoon, so how could I not be in a hurry?!"

"Your mother?" Tina asked, raising her brows. She looked at Tanya sharply and added, "Tanya, she's just your adoptive mother! Our real mom died five years ago, and dad is inside."

With that, Tanya fell silent.

She couldn't refute her sister's words because Tina said nothing but the truth. Even so, she didn't give the latter the impression that she was okay with everything she said.

Seeing Tanya behave like that, Tina stood before her grimly, openly pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.

The latter left the hotel in a hurry last night after having a frightening experience. It wasn't that Tina deliberately forgot the money she promised to Tanya, but she had a lot of things on her mind at the moment to still keep track of everything.

Now, Tina could not help but feel angry that her sister, whom she had made such an effort to get in touch with after such a long time apart, cared only about outsiders.

"Dad made a great offer to you, Tanya. He promised to pay for Mrs. Hart's treatment if you return to us and cut off your connections with the Harts. You could've dealt with your adoptive mother's surgery fee without difficulty, but why do you have to be so stubborn?" Tina snapped in frustration.

She didn't even wait for Tanya to respond and successively asked, "Why did you choose to stay beside Mrs. Hart? Why didn't you come back to us? Tanya, are you trying to embarrass dad?"

"Tina, let's talk about that next time, okay? I have no time to deal with such things right now. I just need one hundred thousand dollars, please? Or maybe you can give me at least half. I need it badly," Tanya replied with teary eyes, deeply concerned for her adoptive mother, who had been admitted to the hospital for half a month due to heart complications.

Tanya's adoptive mother, Nancy Hart, had a scheduled surgery this afternoon. But then, hospital protocols were there for a reason. If Tanya failed to raise enough money for the surgery, the doctor wouldn't push the surgery through. However, Nancy's heart condition could no longer tolerate delays.

One hundred thousand dollars was not even that significant to Tina, so seeing Tanya's teary eyes softened her heart eventually.

"I forgot your account number. Sent it to me again," Tina casually said, making Tanya's eyes glimmer in delight.

"Here, wait!" she exclaimed as she rummaged through her bag to look for her bank card.

Leon, on the other hand, silently watched the two from the other side after greeting Mark briefly. He was leaning against the car door, casually puffing on his cigarette.

Now that he could see the two together, he could tell their differences well. Since Tina was wearing high heels, she looked half a head taller than Tanya.

Leon couldn't hear what the two were talking about, but it seemed to him that they were arguing.

Tina looked dead serious while Tanya was panicking.

Leon watched them for a moment before putting out his cigarette and striding toward them.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked.

Tina didn't mean to be rude by declining Leon's kind gesture, but dragging him into her and her sister's mess was the last thing she wanted to happen.

"It's okay, Mr. Darving. My sister and I can handle this matter by ourselves. For now, why don't you go inside with Mr. Lewis and have tea while Tanya and I are talking? I'll join you shortly," Tina graciously said.

Leon didn't want to be impolite, so he shook his head, smiled reassuringly, and suggested, "I'll wait here. Why don't you two go inside instead and take your time?"

But then, Tanya and Tina responded "No" in unison.

"You really are twins," Leon said, smiling in amusement.

Tanya wasn't in the mood to joke around or prolong their conversation. Thus, she quickly handed her bank card to Tina, saying, "Here. I'll forever be grateful for your help, Tina."

Being the good sister that she was, Tina shook her head and replied, "It's not a big deal, Tanya."

Tina's determination to make Tanya return to their family hadn't wavered a bit. The former promised to give the latter the money if she attended the party, so she wanted to get that over with first.

Leon couldn't help but pity Tanya's situation, but he was also a bit confused because of the kiss mark on the back of her ear. He could tell that it was a new mark, judging from the looks of it, so he thought, 'If she's this concerned about her adoptive mother's surgery, how could she still have time to engage in sex?'

But then, Leon knew he didn't have any right to judge anyone.

"Tanya," he suddenly called in his deep, majestic voice, which inevitably sent shivers down Tanya's spine.

"I have some connections with Aide Hospital. If you need anything, just tell me," Leon offered.

Aide Hospital was the premier aristocratic private hospital in Lingerfield. Their entire staff consisted of internationally renowned medical specialists who provided only the finest services and interventions. Since it was on top of the list, the cost of their consultations alone was unimaginable. Because of that, people of lower socioeconomic status would not visit this place, even if they were in desperate need.

Tanya was at a loss for words because of Leon's generosity. She had avoided his gaze since earlier, but something suddenly urged her to look at him.

The sun shone brightly behind him, so it took a few seconds before Tanya's eyes adjusted and gained clearer vision.

'I wonder how a man could look so much like a male protagonist from a book. He's irrefutably charming,' Tanya inwardly remarked.

Leon's charm remained unmistakable even though he only wore a gray and white longsleeved shirt, dark blue vest, and dark blue suit pants of the same style.

When his blue eyes fell on her, she felt as though he would be able to pierce through her thoughts.

Tanya didn't know how long she had been staring at Leon. She got too preoccupied appreciating his looks and only snapped back to her senses when Tina tapped her shoulder. Tina said, "Tanya, Mr. Darving is talking to you. Did you hear what he said?"

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Darving. I appreciate your kindness," Tanya replied, thinking he might indeed become her brotherinlaw soon.

As for what happened between them last night, no one knew about it aside from her anyway.

Leon took a business card from his inner pocket and handed it to Tanya. "You're welcome. You're Tina's sister, so if you need anything, contact me. You're no longer an outsider to me," he said.

With that, Tanya nodded and reached for Leon's business card. After that, she looked at her sister and said, "Thank you for both of your help. I don't want to bother you anymore, so I'll leave first."

Tanya didn't wait for the two to respond and left in a hurry. She walked so fast that she forgot about her badly injured ankle, causing her to trip again.

Fortunately, Leon caught her in time. If he had responded a second late, Tanya would have been kissing the ground right now.

Concerned, Tina walked toward them and asked, "What happened to your ankles?"

"I uh— I accidentally twisted it last night, but it's better now," Tanya replied as she retracted her body from Leon and fixed herself.

The latter only held her briefly, but she could feel her heartbeat accelerating significantly.

Tina was also in a hurry, so she looked at Leon and called, "Mr. Darving."

"Call me Leon," he corrected.

"Okay, Leon. Why did you come here, by the way?" Tina asked out of curiosity.

Forgetting about Tanya's presence, Leon smiled mischievously at Tina and said, "If I tell you that I missed you already, will you believe me?"

Tina, of course, didn't know what to respond, but she blushed.

Who wouldn't, though? The man who told her he missed her wasn't any random man but the unparalleled Leon Darving.

But then, even if the Darving family's heir was standing before her telling her he missed her, Tina had already planned her day.

Apologetic, she smiled embarrassedly at Leon and said, "That's so sweet of you, Leon, but I'm afraid I can't spend time with you today. Unfortunately, you're a few minutes late. An old classmate of mine had just asked me to go to Royal island to catch up. We'll spend a few days there, and our boat will leave at noon. They should be here anytime soon to pick me up."

While speaking, Tina saw Tanya sneakily walking away, so she immediately grabbed her arm, turned to Leon, and said, "But can I ask you for a favor?"

Leon only nodded and waited for Tina's response, so the latter continued, saying, "Could you please give Tanya a ride? It's a bit late, so she needs to get to the hospital soon."

Hearing what her sister said, Tanya broke free from Tina's grip, shook her hands in front of the two, and exclaimed, "No, please! I don't want to bother Mr. Darving. I can take the taxi, sis."

She refused so openly that she sounded somehow wary of Leon. Because of that, the latter, who originally had no plans of giving her a ride, suddenly got curious about her odd reaction.

"Sure. I don't have much on my plate anyway," Leon said before facing Tina and added, "I'll take you to the pier too."

Tanya stood stiffly upon hearing what he said. Tina, on the contrary, smiled after a moment of hesitation.

"Are you sure?" she asked. Seeing Leon nod, Tina smiled and replied, "Alright, I'll take your ride too. I'll just message my classmates later."

After that, Tina gestured something to Mark, and the latter, who had been carrying her luggage for a long time, nodded and put everything in the trunk of Leon's car.

Then, Mark stood at the side and patiently waited to see if Tina still had other instructions.

Leon, on the other hand, wrapped his arm on the latter's shoulders and looked at the Yates family's mansion. "Shouldn't I at least go inside and greet your father?" he asked, thinking it would be rude not to greet Tim even though he was already around.

Tina couldn't help but praise Leon's initiative and politeness inwardly. Even so, she only smiled at him and said, "That's so nice of you, but Dad is still asleep, Leon. I don't think disturbing him will be a good idea."

Mark, who had been listening to their conversation the entire time, mirrored Tina's words and interjected, "Miss Tina's right, Mr. Darving. Mr. Yates drank so much at the party last night that he still hasn't gotten up. But then, thank you for giving Miss Tanya and Tina a ride."

After saying that to Leon, Mark looked at Tanya and said, "Miss Tanya, if you change your mind and suddenly want to return home, you can reach out to me. I'll get everything ready for you."

Other housekeepers wouldn't mind whether Tanya would return to the Yates family or not. However, Mark was not just any other housekeeper. He had worked for the Yates family for nearly thirty years and was now like a family member.

Tina knew her father well, so she walked near Mark and whispered, "Mr. Lewis, please don't let my dad know that Tanya came here to ask for money for her adoptive mother's surgery."

Knowing where Tina's concern was coming from, Mark nodded reassuringly and said, "Don't worry, Miss Tina. I won't let Mr. Yates know."

Tanya, who could hear everything, looked elsewhere and didn't say anything.

After the three got into the car, Leon drove his black Bentley away from the villa. Tina sat in the passenger seat while Tanya sat in the back seat, looking at the window absentmindedly.

The weather was perfect. The sun was shining brightly, causing the River Road's surroundings to appear extra lovely. Even the river itself sparkled as the sun rays glistened on it.

An awkward atmosphere, on the contrary, permeated inside Leon's car. Tanya remained silent throughout the entire ride, not knowing what to say. Nancy's doctor called her earlier, and she became quieter after that.

Leon, on the other hand, was cold, to begin with, so he only concentrated on driving and didn't utter a single word.

And lastly, Tina hadn't been off her phone since they left the mansion. Then, she only closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat when she finished texting.

While waiting for the traffic light to turn green, Leon turned his head and looked at Tina.

"What's the matter, pretty? You're going on a trip, but you don't look so happy," he asked concernedly.

"I'm excited, but I'm still tired from last night. I even thought of canceling this trip, but everything has already been set," Tina replied weakly.

Leon felt a little guilty upon hearing what the latter said. He thought it was Tina's first time getting intimate last night, yet he had been rough with her. Because of that, Leon looked at her apologetically and said, "I'm sorry. I'm not considerate enough. Let me make it up to you next time."

'I'll give you a pleasant yet unforgettable experience next time,' he thought.

Leon also thought of surprising Tina with the golden rose his grandfather prepared when the time was right.

Tina, on the other hand, suddenly felt that something was strange about Leon's words. Even so, she only smiled at him, not wanting to stress herself about it.

"I've heard countless rumors saying you are a cold and heartless man, but I think they're exaggerating," Tina said, chuckling.

"Pretty, I couldn't care any less about other people's opinion of me," Leon said as he reached for Tina's hand. He looked at her warmly, kissed the back of her hand gently, and added, "The only thing that matters is how you view me. They can call me heartless, snob, or anything they want, but I'll keep being sweet to you and you alone."

Leon spoke as bold as a lion. Since he had already decided to marry Tina, he no longer wanted to let even a single day go by without making an effort to build their relationship.

He even thought of having a child with her if things went well since it was what his grandfather wanted the most. Aside from that, his position as the Darving Group's successor would also be stable if he managed to do that.

Tanya, who couldn't help but overhear the two's conversation, bit her lower lip because of Leon's words. She suddenly recalled how his hugeness ripped her core last night.

Coincidentally, Leon suddenly glanced at the rearview mirror, causing their eyes to meet. He caught traces of panic in her expression, so he could not help but knit his brows in suspicion.

Tanya, of course, hurriedly shifted her gaze outside the car as if nothing had happened.

Even though Leon hadn't told her anything directly, she could tell that he was genuinely interested in her sister.

However, Tanya wasn't sure if Tina was on the same page as him.

When they were in the VIP lounge last night, Tina received a call before she left in a hurry. Tanya was sure that it was a man who called, and she even noticed that her sister's tone sounded soft and delicate.

Because of that, Tanya couldn't help but think, 'Has Tina fallen in love with another man? If so, why was she still clinging to Mr. Darving? It even looks like she wants a serious relationship with him.'

The more Tanya thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. Not wanting to stress over something that didn't specifically concern her, Tanya closed her eyes and cleared her mind.

She reminded herself to forget what happened last night and never get involved in such a complicated relationship.

Leon continued driving until they arrived at the hospital shortly after. Tina got out of the car first and opened the door for Tanya like a caring sister.

The latter, however, couldn't stand to hide her worry anymore. She pulled Tina to the side and whispered, "Tina, are you seeing a different man? If so, you know Mr. Darving is not someone you can easily fool, right?"

"I know," Tina briefly replied, surprised by her sister's question.

Tanya remained doubtful, so she asked again, saying, "If you are aware of that, why are you..."

However, Tina immediately cut her off. "Can you please shut up? It's not your business, Tanya," she snapped, deliberately pulling her away so Leon wouldn't hear them.

All sorts of rumors about what kind of person Leon was were all over the business field, so how could Tina not know what situation she was getting herself into?

Leon was famous among the people in the upper class. Some admired him, while others feared his competitiveness after hearing that he showed no mercy toward his brother and cousins to be the Darving Group's successor.

Even Tina's father, who had been in the business field for a long time, almost jumped in delight upon securing a fixed marriage between his daughter and Darving Groups' current president, Leon.

Even so, Tim mentioned more than once not to underestimate Leon no matter how young he was. After all, the latter won his grandfather's approval among his elder cousins, which was not an easy task.

But then, Leon remained every girl's ideal man despite all the nasty rumors about him.

He was impressively tall and charming, with a distinct manliness that resulted from his noble bearing and collected demeanor. And exaggerated as it might sound, his charm was like a raging fire in the darkness that could attract women to jump in his burning light.

Because of that, Tina couldn't deny that Leon's interest in her had given her a great sense of pride and vanity. She also knew that marrying him would significantly benefit the Yates Group.

However, it seemed like fate was playing a game with her. Since she was involved with another man, she did not dare to either accept or reject Leon's interest in her.

Seeing Tina's reaction, Tanya shrugged her shoulders and didn't dare infuriate her more.

"I'm going in. Thank you again for this money. I'll pay you back once I find a job and earn enough," Tanya said and left.

Leon, on the other hand, watched Tanya through the car window as she limped away in panic.

When Tina returned to the car, he smiled faintly at her and asked, "Why does your sister look extra timid?"

Tina wasn't sure why Leon asked, but she answered him anyway.

"A con man abducted Tanya when she was two years old, so she got traumatized. Her adoptive parents rescued her, took her in, and raised her in a small fishing village in the east. So, please understand if she gets nervous in front of an imposing man like you. She has been living away from too many people for so many years, so let her adjust," she said.

"Is that so? You sound like you know her well, but do you really know her?" Leon randomly asked.

Confused, Tina looked at him, saying, "Are you trying to imply something?"

"Nah. I'm just asking," Leon replied and started the engine.

What kind of person Tanya was, what kind of things she was into, which places she visited, or who she decided to meet had nothing to do with him.

He was interested in Tina, not her.

Meanwhile, things were going pretty smoothly with Tanya at the hospital.

The nurses brought her adoptive mother, Nancy, to the operating room at two o'clock in the afternoon and moved her back to her room at eight o'clock in the evening.

The doctor informed Tanya that her mother's operation went well. However, due to Nancy's complicated surgery, the doctor advised Tanya not to expect her to regain consciousness any time soon, as Nancy still needed to regain her strength. In addition, she stated that the surgery could cause side effects, so she would continue to monitor Nancy.

Still, knowing that her mother was fine was enough for Tanya to sigh a breath of relief. Only then did she decide to approach a nurse for her ankle.

"Your ankle has grown swollen, but don't worry. It's just a sprain and nothing serious," the nurse reassured while giving her a foot massage. She also applied some ointment, which soon alleviated Tanya's pain.

...

The night deepened, so Tanya prepared to sleep after extending the folding bed in Nancy's room. However, it had only been three seconds since she closed her eyes when someone suddenly texted her.

Tina: [Tanya, I've already arrived at Royal Island. If Leon asks anything about me, don't say anything dumb and watch your mouth, okay?]

Knowing where her sister's concern was coming from, Tanya hurriedly replied: [You have nothing to worry about, Tina. I won't say anything off about you.]

Still, Tanya couldn't help but wonder why Tina was so worried because she didn't feel like Leon would purposely go looking for her to ask anything. Tanya even thought that the likelihood of meeting Leon accidentally again was thinner than a strand of hair.

However, contrary to her expectations, she unexpectedly ran into Leon again the following night.

They met on almost the same occasion in the same embarrassing situation.

The Night Charm Bar was a famous goto place on the side street of the Lingerfield bridge. Since it was already a few minutes past ten o'clock, it was currently the busiest hour of the night.

A group of men and women dressed in sexy and fashionable attire were swinging to the beat on the dance floor, evidently intoxicated. The DJ played heavy metal rock music to its loudest extent, where even those in the farthest corner found their ears ringing because of it.

Such places had never been Leon's favorites. Even if he dropped by occasionally for work or leisure, he would always head straight to the private room to avoid the deafening noise.

But tonight, Nathanael, the chief director of FND, persuaded him to sit among others, saying he needed to look for wild inspiration tonight.

...

Nathanael rubbed his chin as he sat at the small round table with half a dozen beer bottles and said, "I'm still baffled, Leon! I couldn't believe that I guessed wrong. How could Tina be a virgin?!"

Leon's eyes glimmered at what Nathanael said. Proud, he leisurely lit his cigarette and said, "Well, it's your choice whether you believe me or not, but let me tell you one thing. Tina is Tim Yates' daughter, and you know how strict of a father he is. So, it's not surprising that Tina was a virgin."

"Forget it," Nathanael surrendered with a sneer. "You look ready to give up a forest for one tree, so I won't persuade you anymore."

Leon immediately understood what Nathanael meant, but he didn't bother to refute it. After all, that had been his plan these previous days.

A beautiful girl caught Nathanael's eyes shortly after, so he abandoned Leon without hesitation. The latter, however, knew this would happen, so he only sneered in displeasure.

'I'll leave after finishing this cigarette,' he thought.

A young man, on the other hand, was having a blast on the dance floor with a stunning woman when he inadvertently saw Leon. Because of that, he stopped dancing.

The girl dressed in a mini halter top immediately noticed the man's stiffness, so she followed his gaze.

Then, she asked, "Lambert, is that your cousin?"

Lambert, however, didn't answer.

Hearing no response from him, the woman clutched her hands on Lambert's arm and said, "I heard from the news that he's in love with Tina of the Yates family. If they are going to get married soon, why does he still come to places like this?"

"Their marriage has nothing to do with love. It's all about business," Lambert corrected as he pulled the woman out of the dance floor. "But grandpa happens to admire how independent and successful Tina was, so Leon deliberately slept with her at grandpa's birthday party, fearing someone might steal her," he added.

Lambert was close to the VIP lounge on the night of the party when Leon went inside. He knew Tina was also there, so he stayed to eavesdrop but ended up hearing them making love.

Sensing jealousy in Lambert's tone, the woman rolled her eyes and said, "Lambert, if you want to sabotage your cousin, I'll help you."

After that, she took something from her pocket and whispered in Lambert's ears. The latter's face lit up upon hearing what her girl had to say. He seemed so pleased that he kissed her torridly before walking toward Leon with a mischievous smile plastered on his face.

"Look who we have here! What's up, Leo? I didn't know you were here!" Lambert greeted.

Traces of displeasure immediately filled Leon's face upon seeing Lambert. Uninterested in talking to him, he only nodded forcefully and continued puffing on his cigarette.

Lambert, on the contrary, cleared his throat in embarrassment and pulled her date closer after receiving his cousin's coldest response. Then, he said, "Maya, this is my cousin, Leon Darving. I call him Leo, and you can too if you want. Why don't you say hello to him?"

Lambert's date, Maya, also came from a wealthy family. Because of that, her eyes automatically glimmered in admiration upon seeing the great Leon Darving up close.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Darving," Maya politely addressed, not wanting to sound so rude on their first encounter. "I've heard a lot about you from Lambert. He said you are handsome and capable, and I couldn't agree more," she added.

Then, she casually took a beer for herself and offered a glass of whiskey to Leon. "Care to have a drink with me?" she said, sounding utterly sweet.

Leon had always been aloof with girls, unlike how he behaved whenever he was with Tina. Because of that, he only gave Maya a questioning look and didn't bother to accept the glass of whiskey.

Sensing his cousin's weariness, Lambert rolled his eyes and scolded, "Come on, Leo. I know I am the last person you want to come across here, but don't be rude to a girl. She's offering you a drink, so accept it like a man!"

"It's just one drink, Mr. Darving. I'd be hurt if you'll reject it. Please, don't embarrass me," Maya mirrored supportively.

Left with no choice, Leon frowned, took the glass of whiskey from Maya, and drank half of its content.

With that, Lambert smiled triumphantly. "That's what I'm saying! Alright then. I don't want to disturb you, so we'll leave first. Have a good time!" he said.

After finishing his cigarette, Leon turned his attention to the dance floor, where Nathanael was already grooving passionately with a pretty girl, his hands wrapped around her waist.

Planning to leave, Leon snuffed his cigarette at the ashtray, patted the corner of his coat, and got up. However, he suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of dizziness, followed by a strange feeling of throwing up.

'Fuck you, Lambert! Did he put something in my drink for me to feel this way?' Leon cursed in his mind as his vision gradually went fuzzy.

When Lambert saw Leon almost tumble, he smiled cunningly. Maya, on the other hand, encircled her hands around his neck and glowed with pride at what she did. She even boasted, saying, "See? I told you it'd work! Well, I'll go seduce him later, so take pictures. You can make up stories with that."

Maya explained that if Lambert did that, Tina would be upset with Leon, and Morris would not like it either.

But then, Lambert didn't want to shove Maya into the lion's den. So, he shook his head, smiled, and reminded her, "You're such a sly fox, honey. I'll let you go on with your plan, but if he finds out, you'll be dead. At least know what you are getting yourself into."

Leon tried to endure the indescribable feeling he felt as he walked toward the exit. He was not born yesterday, so he knew he got into this situation because of Lambert.

The latter was Morris' fourth grandson. He had always been supportive of Francis, but the opposite toward Leon. And now, he even went as far as pulling such a dirty trick to set him up.

Just when Leon was only a few steps away from the exit, Maya suddenly blocked his way and asked, "Are you leaving already, Mr. Darving?"

She looked at him seductively, her fingers sneakily traveling through the surface of his arm.

Because of that, Leon had enough and unhesitatingly pushed Maya away in disgust. Then, he glared at Lambert, who almost dropped his phone upon meeting his deadly gaze.

Still, Maya remained persistent. She boldly hugged Leon's arm and invited, "Let's dance, Mr. Darving! It's still too early to leave."

"Get lost!" Leon ordered, which sounded like a threat.

This time, he realized Lambert wanted to create some scandal and ruin his relationship with Tina. Just then, Leon caught a glimpse of a familiar face. Even though the colorful lights made it difficult for him to entirely see the girl's face, he still recognized her.

The girl, without a doubt, was Tanya. Dressed casually in jeans and a white shirt, she scoured the area with her eyes.

'Did she come here to have fun?' Leon inwardly asked, gradually feeling a burning sensation in his body.

Since Tanya and Tina looked precisely the same, a better escape plan suddenly popped into Leon's mind.

Not wanting to waste time, he pushed Maya away, strode toward Tanya, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

The latter didn't have time to react as she found herself being pulled over by a man.

When she raised her eyes to see who it was, her heart began beating faster than the beat of rock music.

"Mr. Darving?" she called in both surprise and confusion.

"Just follow me," Leon replied.

Leon walked so fast that Tanya couldn't keep up with his pace. Since her sprained ankle hadn't fully recovered, she came awfully close to being dragged into the private room.

The guests who were originally inside happened to have become bored, so they stepped outside, leaving the two alone.

Confused about what was happening, Tanya looked at Leon and asked, "What's going on, Mr. Darving? Why did you drag me here?"

Knowing how timid of a woman Tanya was, Leon gently pushed her against the wall and held her shoulders. Then, he leaned closer to her and calmly said, "Don't be afraid."

Tanya, however, felt otherwise. Leon trapped her in the corner, so as much as she wanted to escape, she had nowhere to run to or hide.

Unsure of what she must do, Tanya closed her eyes in fright. Her mind, however, remained alert. Her body started trembling when she felt Leon slowly closing the space between them.

Leon, of course, did not kiss her. He stopped getting close to her, an inch away from her lips, before whispering, "Relax, Tanya. You are Tina's sister. I won't hurt you."

Even though the situation didn't escalate further, what happened on the night of the party flashed before Tanya's eyes after Leon's warm breath brushed against her neck. That, alone, was enough to make her anxious.

Wanting to conceal her nervousness, Tanya cleared her throat and asked, "So, what do you want me to do?"

"I need you to do me a favor," Leon directly replied, cutting to the chase.

"What kind of favor?" Tanya asked, casually tilting her head to the side and raising her gaze.

When she did that, their lips almost touched.

Surprised, Tanya froze on her spot.

Leon, on the other hand, felt a bolt of electricity traveling across his body after what happened. Tanya's fragrant scent made him feel more uncomfortable as well.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so close," Leon stated.

Tanya didn't know when the temperature inside started increasing, but Leon's hoarse voice sent a disturbing sensation to her body.

She couldn't even think straight at the moment.

When Leon saw Lambert and Maya following them through his peripheral view, he immediately grabbed Tanya by the waist, dragged her along with him, and kicked open the bathroom door of the private room.

Tanya, unaware of what was happening, cast another perplexed glance in Leon's direction and asked, "What are we doing here, Mr. Darving?"

Leon, however, didn't answer her question. Instead, he looked at her calmly and said, "Don't ask. Just cooperate."

"Cooperate? What do you mean, Mr. Darving? Kindly enlighten me about what is happening because I—"

Tanya was yet to finish her sentence, but Leon immediately cut her off.

"Scream, Tanya," he ordered, dead serious. "I want you to scream as loud as you can."

Tanya was still puzzled about their situation, but she decided to trust Leon. Just as she was about to scream as he asked, the latter realized that she had misunderstood his request.

Because of that, Leon immediately covered Tanya's mouth with his hand.

"No, not scream for help," he stated in embarrassment. Then, he leaned closer to Tanya's ear and whispered, "Moan, Tanya."

Hearing that, Tanya repeatedly shook her head, causing her soft lips to brush against Leon's palm.

Frowning, the latter removed his hand from her mouth and said, "Don't take it the wrong way, Tanya. Do it for Tina and me."

"For Tina?" Tanya repeated.

She was about to ask Leon more questions when they heard a sound outside the bathroom that sounded like someone was coming.

Pressed with the situation, Leon looked at Tanya seriously and firmly said, "It's just an act, Tanya. We don't have much time."

Tanya, being the shy girl she had always been, didn't want to do it, but Leon's blue eyes seemed to have magic that drew her in and put her under a spell. In the end, she tried to do as he asked, but no sound escaped her mouth.

She was too embarrassed to moan since people could hear her from outside, and Leon was with her.

Leon knew Tanya would feel that way, but he also knew that it was too late to change plans. So, he quickly held her hands, put them on her back, swiftly turned her body around, and promptly made her bend over to face the wall.

Caught off guard, Tanya moaned subconsciously.

Leon, on the other hand, beamed in satisfaction as he said, "That's right! Go on and moan louder."

But then, even though he appeared to be laughing outside, he was cussing on the inside. Leon, after all, was a man. How could he possibly feel at ease when a woman was moaning in front of him?

'Fuck you, Lambert! I'll make you beg for mercy for putting me in this situation!' Leon inwardly remarked.

Since the latter told Tanya that this was for her sister, she gathered all the remaining ounce of courage she had and moaned way louder.

Satisfied, Leon smiled and urged, "Yes! Keep moaning like that."

Then, with his eyes glued on Tanya's slender back, he added, "You have such a nice voice."