Angus stared at Liesa coldly, his eyes never leaving hers. But he didn't answer her question.
At first, Liesa felt a bit awkward, but soon, she just grew silent. It became clear that understanding him was impossible.
"Miss Valtieri, this outfit suits you very well." Sam's voice broke the silence, pulling Liesa's attention away from Angus.
When Sam had picked the clothes for Liesa, he'd thought about her usual style, but something kept drawing him to the more lively, independent side of her when she was by herself.
He'd decided on this particular dress, hoping it would highlight that side of her. Now, seeing her in it, he smiled to himself.
He rarely saw someone pull off both cuteness and elegance so effortlessly. But Liesa managed it without even trying.
Liesa let out a relieved sigh. She smiled and walked over to Angus, her steps hesitant. After a moment, she asked, "So, Angus, what do you think of my outfit today?"
"Ugly." Angus gave her a quick glance before returning his attention to the book in his hands.
<…That was just rude.>
Liesa paused, stunned. She wasn't sure what to say next. She tried to find a way to shift the conversation, but before she could, a group of people in white coats rushed into the house.
Her eyes widened, and she turned to Angus. "By the way, Mr. Grayson just fell and hurt himself. Did you know?"
Before Angus could respond, Sam raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "Mr. Grayson fell? When did that happen?"
"Just now, when I was coming out," Liesa replied.
Sam frowned, his concern visible. He turned to Angus. "Mr. Romano, Mr. Grayson is injured. Although things were a bit tense earlier, it might be inappropriate not to check on him."
"I'm not going." Angus said flatly, his tone final.
Sam nodded, understanding immediately. "Understood, sir. I'll let Miss Valtieri stay here with you while I go check on Mr. Grayson."
He gave a slight bow before leaving.
Liesa couldn't help but notice how Sam made it sound so effortless, avoiding any attempt to persuade Angus.
As Sam walked away, Liesa's lips twitched in amusement.
Angus, noticing her glance toward the direction Sam had gone, furrowed his brows.
"Come here."
Liesa quickly turned back to him, her smile returning. "Yes, Mr. Romano? What's wrong?"
"Squat down." His voice was still cold.
Liesa blinked, confused but obedient. She had been standing earlier, so it was easier to look at him. But now, she needed to squat, which meant tilting her head up to see his face.
The movement exposed her neck in a vulnerable, almost instinctive gesture.
Angus seemed satisfied with her reluctance. His expression softened, just a little, but it was enough to make Liesa wonder if she had unknowingly earned a small victory.
Without a word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an elegant little box. Liesa's eyes followed his long fingers as he opened the box with a soft click, revealing a delicate brooch inside.
"Wow… it's beautiful," Liesa breathed out, genuinely impressed. It wasn't that she hadn't seen fine jewelry before, but this brooch was something else. The bow-shaped design, with its pink diamond wings and a soft blue gemstone at the center, was youthful and striking. The quality was unmistakably expensive.
Angus scoffed at her surprise but said nothing. With the same unreadable expression, he leaned the brooch toward her, his hand steady.
Liesa immediately understood what he was asking. She quickly leaned back, nearly losing her balance. "Angus, this is too expensive. I can't accept it."
Her mind raced.
Of course, that depended on whether or not Angus would start whining and begging her to accept it.
"Come here."
The sharpness in Angus's voice left no room for argument. Liesa hesitated but then leaned forward, allowing him to pin the brooch on her.
Unfortunately, Angus didn't seem very skilled at this. He hovered the brooch just below her collarbone, his hands awkwardly shifting around, trying to find the right spot. It felt like an eternity before he even attempted to pin it.
His fingers brushed against her chest several times, each touch an unwelcome reminder of how close they were. At first, Liesa flinched every time, but Angus's impatient scolding made her hold still. The awkwardness grew with each passing second.
Finally, Liesa couldn't hold back anymore. "Mr. Romano, lucky for you, I trust your character. Otherwise, I'd really think you're trying to take advantage of me."
Angus's hand froze mid-air. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to meet hers. Their proximity made Liesa feel a little dizzy, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. He stared at her for a moment, and Liesa swore she felt the world tilt.
"You think you deserve it?" His voice dropped lower, carrying an unexpected intensity.
Liesa's heart skipped a beat. She swallowed but forced a smile.
"Please, go ahead," she said, trying to keep her composure.