Leo fumbled for a long time in the pockets of the heavily intoxicated Dakota before finally finding the key to his room and unlocking the door.
Dakota, meanwhile, kept rambling on.
“Dr. Bloomer, I’m telling you, the girls here are not bad. If Chloe won’t come around, I’ll find you one. Maybe not as pretty, but definitely more obedient…”
Leo broke into a cold sweat. He kicked open the door and shoved Dakota inside. If Chloe heard this, it would be disastrous.
When Leo came out of Dakota’s room, he saw Chloe sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, wrapped in a coat, gazing at the night sky, lost in thought.
Leo walked over and sat down. “Is Davon asleep?”
Chloe nodded. The blush on her face had faded, leaving her looking cool and distant.
Leo didn’t know what to say, so he followed her gaze to the sky.
The moon hung like a hook in the clear night sky, its light spreading like ink on paper.
As Leo watched, he became entranced by the scene.
Chloe suddenly sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Leo asked.
Chloe looked at him as if she wanted to say something but then lowered her head. “I’m going to rest. You should get some sleep too.”
She stood up and walked to her room.
Leo remained at the stone table, watching Chloe’s retreating figure, shaking his head with a bitter smile.
“Reginald, I say we just grab him and teach him a lesson in the freezer at the docks.”
A middle-aged man in a floral shirt with meticulously groomed hair said to Reginald.
Reginald was holding his nose, his eyes filled with venomous anger.
He and Big Cat had set a trap in the art museum, expecting Leo and Chloe to fall for it. But Leo had punched him in the face, ruining their plan.
What baffled him was how someone could hit without saying a word.
He had envisioned Leo dragging Chloe into the passageway, getting surrounded by Big Cat’s men, and then being beaten up while Chloe succumbed to his intimidation.
Things hadn’t gone according to plan, which infuriated Reginald.
Having ruled Gangnam for so many years, Reginald had never encountered such a situation.
“Do it tomorrow. If there’s a chance, bind him and take him to the docks. Wait for me before you start.” Reginald’s voice was still strange from his injured nose.
Big Cat agreed.
The next morning, Leo’s door was knocked on.
When he opened it, Frederick was standing outside.
“Mr. Frederick, what brings you here?”
Frederick held a bag and smiled. “I brought a Korean beef set. Let’s grill and eat together.”
Before Leo could refuse, Frederick pulled him out.
In the courtyard, a simple barbecue grill was already set up with charcoal burning underneath. It was clear Frederick had come prepared, making it hard for Leo to refuse.
Besides, Leo enjoyed discussing philosophy with Frederick and had gained much from their conversations.
At that time, Chloe, Davon, and Dakota were nowhere to be seen. Only Leo and Frederick were in the courtyard.
They grilled meat and chatted, combining breakfast and lunch into one meal.
Their conversation last long.
The sun rose and set as they talked through the day. The charcoal was replenished several times until it nearly burned out.
They finished all the Korean beef Frederick had brought.
Outside.
“Isn’t it done yet?” Big Cat’s voice came from the car.
“Not yet, boss. He’s still in the courtyard,” a skinny guy whispered into his phone.
He was outside the Ewha Institute’s courtyard wall, listening to their conversation and smelling the barbecue aroma, his stomach growling like boiling water.
If not for their voices covering his own sounds, he would have been discovered by now.
“Talking all day! Is he not planning to come out?” Big Cat’s voice was tinged with frustration.
Having taken on this task confidently in front of Reginald, the first action was not going smoothly.
They couldn’t just storm into Ewha Institute and drag Leo out.
Especially with Frederick inside; even as Cheongdam’s gang leader, Big Cat wouldn’t dare touch Frederick.
“Boss, what do we do? Keep waiting?” The underling asked.
He just wanted to go back and eat some barbecue.
After smelling it all day outside the wall and hearing the sizzling of fat dripping onto the charcoal, he knew it must be top-quality beef tenderloin.
Starving after a day of this torture, he cursed the two men inside while clutching his stomach to ease his hunger.
“Keep waiting! I don’t believe he’ll stay in there all day,” Big Cat said angrily.
Finally, as night fell, Frederick looked at the sky and stood up. “Leo, sorry for taking up your whole day with barbecue.”
“It’s an honor to talk with you,” Leo replied politely.
“Sigh, Leo, are you leaving tomorrow?” Frederick asked. He had heard about their departure and rushed over for one last conversation with Leo.
Opportunities like this to improve one’s skills were rare and invaluable. Missing it would be a lifelong regret for Frederick.
Just like when he found that ancient geomancy book years ago; if he hadn’t given up on his hard-earned status and wealth back then, he wouldn’t be who he was now.
“Yes,” Leo said. The four of them were flying to the United States tomorrow.
If not for that fire accident, they might have stayed longer in Goryeo. But now Leo was eager to leave early.
Frederick exchanged a few more words with Leo before leaving.
Leo was about to go inside and pack up. He had been dragged out by Frederick early in the morning and spent the whole day in his pajamas.
Just then, his phone rang. It was Dakota calling.
“Dr. Bloomer, we’re at a restaurant opposite Gyeongbokgung. Come join us,” Dakota said.
Leo was about to decline but then remembered they were leaving Goryeo tomorrow. This meal was likely a farewell dinner from Ewha Institute, so he decided to go.
“Alright, I’ll be there soon,” Leo replied.