Leo stood calmly by the bedside, a gentle smile resting on his lips. "What's the matter, Miss Ava?" he asked naturally, as if what he was doing was the most ordinary thing in the world.
"As your personal attendant, isn't it only right for me to handle small daily tasks like this?"
He glanced over at her, holding up a fresh pair of black socks. "You fainted last night, so your clothes remained untouched. All you need now is to put on your socks and begin your day."
With those words, Leo gently lifted the socks.
Ava Carter's cheeks reddened slightly with embarrassment. "But… but… this sort of thing… I could just do it myself…"
Before she could finish, Leo interjected with a righteous tone, "Miss, that's not how it should be!"
"You are the future head of Ava's family. From now on, you can leave all these small matters to me—your personal aide!"
"I will take full responsibility for your daily needs, so you can focus entirely on managing the family."
Ava looked down at the socks in Leo's hands, then back up at his serious expression. His eyes radiated nothing but loyalty. For a moment, guilt stirred in her heart.
Leo was so dedicated to her… and yet, she had been planning to dismiss him.
But maybe, just maybe… serving her wasn't just a job for him. It was a duty he took pride in.
Rejecting his help now might wound him deeply. And after all, she couldn't bring herself to discourage someone so loyal.
Yes. That was right.
She convinced herself, "Don't overthink it, Ava. He doesn't have any inappropriate intentions. Just look at how focused he is."
Leo wasn't just her aide—he was her most trusted follower. Everything he did, he did to serve her with complete sincerity.
Resolving herself, Ava gave a light nod, hiding the blush on her cheeks. In a calm tone, she said, "Alright then… just be quick about it."
With that, she gently lifted the covers and extended her pale, delicate feet toward Leo.
Her feet were like sculpted jade, smooth and pristine, with a natural arch and soft pink soles. They looked like they belonged in a painting.
Leo maintained a composed, gentlemanly demeanor. He solemnly knelt and delicately opened the black socks. Carefully, he slipped them over her feet, ensuring the fit was snug but not tight. His fingers moved precisely, wrapping the socks over her ankles with quiet elegance.
Though it felt a little awkward to have a man touch her bare feet, Ava soon relaxed.
Leo didn't cross any lines. His movements were respectful, professional. His focus wasn't on her skin, but on the task at hand.
Ava watched him closely.
His gaze was serious, his expression calm—as if putting on her socks was a sacred ritual.
She'd never had someone be this devoted to her before.
Not in this life, and certainly not in the last.
When the task was done, Leo stood up and smiled. "All finished, Miss."
Then he added with concern, "I suspect you've been fainting lately due to exhaustion or perhaps low blood sugar."
He reached into his pocket and retrieved a small bag. "That's why I made some homemade candies for you. They should help restore your energy."
Placing the candies on the bedside table, Leo then turned and wheeled in a small dining cart with breakfast.
Ava blinked in surprise. Before she could respond, Leo grinned. "I'll leave you to rest now. I'm heading downstairs to greet the guests."
With a click, the door closed behind him.
Ava sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the candies.
She gently placed a hand on her chest, trying to make sense of the warmth blooming inside her.
Why… did this feel so strange?
Leo's eyes had been clear. Honest. There wasn't a hint of deception in them.
Everything he had done… was purely out of loyalty.
But… why?
Why was someone like him so unwaveringly loyal to someone like her?
---
Outside the room, Leo's face lit up as soon as the door clicked shut.
He opened his system panel with glee.
[Loyalty Points Gained: 10]
Perfect.
Of course, he wasn't interested in touching Ava's feet for any inappropriate reason. His only goal was to accumulate Loyalty Points.
He had spent the entire previous night practicing the "Heart Sutra of the Loyal Hound" technique, and it was already producing results.
"Let's see what these points can get me in the future," he murmured, humming a cheerful tune as he pushed the dining cart down the stairs.
---
Meanwhile, in the grand living room downstairs…
Margaret Lin sat nervously on the plush sofa, fidgeting with the expensive gifts she had brought.
She had come to apologize—hoping her daughter-in-law, Ava, would forgive her disappointing son-in-law for the previous night's humiliating behavior.
But Ava hadn't appeared yet.
Had she decided not to forgive them?
What should she do?
Beside her, sat the infamous "Dragon King," Ethan, with a noticeable swelling on his cheek.
He puffed up his chest and said confidently, "Margaret, don't panic. Even if Ava doesn't forgive us, I will still bring the Lin Group to the peak of Riverdale."
"I have connections all over the world. With a single word, I can secure tens of thousands of orders for the Lin Group!"
Margaret Lin stared at him in disbelief.
Then—SLAP!
A crisp sound echoed through the room.
"You useless fool! You still dare talk big after what happened?"
She seethed. "When Ava comes down, shut up and get on your knees to apologize! Do you hear me?"
Ethan covered his cheek, hurt both in body and spirit.
Why didn't his wife ever believe in him?
Just then, a cold voice cut through the room:
"Mrs. Lin, this is the Carter residence. If you want to bicker, please do it outside."
Margaret's head snapped up instantly.
Ava Carter had arrived, flanked by her dignified, handsome attendant—Leo.
Their presence exuded quiet strength.
"Miss Ava, I… I didn't mean to cause a scene," Margaret stammered. "He just started spouting nonsense again."
"I came here with these gifts to express our apology."
Ava glanced briefly at the luxury items and nodded without emotion.
She had no intention of dragging this out.
Better to bury the matter now than start a feud.
Smiling politely, Ava said, "Very well. Let's consider the past behind us."
"Your Lin family and Ava's family will continue to maintain cordial business ties."
Margaret beamed. "Thank you, Miss Ava!"
But her joy was short-lived.
She turned sharply toward Ethan. "You idiot! Get over here and kneel down to thank Miss Ava and apologize!"
Ava's expression froze. "Actually, that's not nece—"
"As the Dragon King, I will not bow to a mere heiress!" Ethan declared, his pride bursting from every word.
"You—!" Margaret's face went pale with fury. She stormed toward him, ready to drag him to his knees.
Suddenly—
"Outrageous!! This is the Carter estate! It's not a place for someone like you to act so brazenly!"
The doors flung open, and in walked Damian Langford, an imposing man with an aura of authority.
Behind him, bodyguards from the Antique City Club carried in crates of treasures.
Ava blinked. Why was Damian here? Could it be…
She turned stiffly to Leo, who smiled innocently.
Before she could speak, Leo stepped forward as if proudly claiming credit.
"That's right!" he shouted. "When did this house become a playground for a worthless son-in-law to cause trouble?"
Leo's face darkened as he turned toward Ethan.
"You're just a son-in-law of the Lin family. How dare you speak so arrogantly?"
"My lady was already prepared to forgive you, thanks to Margaret Lin's sincere efforts."
"All she wanted was for you to kneel and apologize."
He turned to Margaret Lin with cold eyes.
"But the opportunity… was once again let go by your useless son-in-law."
Margaret Lin's face turned ghostly pale.
Ava Carter: (ΩДΩ)!! Wait… I didn't say anything yet!
---