Chapter 148 Then You Must Repay Me Well

The August days were scorching, but the nights brought a cool relief.

Alice jolted awake, gasping for breath. She was back in the nightmare of the siege: Alaric's body, riddled with bullets, hung high on the town's wall. Blood was everywhere.

She glanced beside her; Henry was gone.

She got out of bed to look for him, but he was nowhere in the house.

Opening the door, she walked down the empty hallway and suddenly saw Henry turning the corner of the stairs.

Alice hurried after him, observing Henry as he descended the stairs, each step resembling the actions of a sleepwalker

It was best not to wake a sleepwalker. Alice followed him quietly, noticing he walked out of the villa straight towards Swan Lake.

She was worried he might fall into the water, so she kept a close distance.

Henry stopped in front of Swan Lake, standing silently.

After about ten minutes, he turned back to the villa, went upstairs, returned to the room, and lay back in bed as if nothing had happened.

Alice sat beside him, feeling a sense of unease.

In all the time she'd lived with Henry, she'd never seen him sleepwalk before.

She lay down beside him, holding his arm, and gradually closed her eyes.

In the morning, when she woke up again, Henry was propping his head with one hand, looking at her. "Awake?"

Alice blinked and reached out to rub his face.

Henry smiled and grabbed her hand. "Being naughty as soon as you wake up, are you looking to make love?"

He turned over and was about to kiss her.

Alice turned her head away.

Henry clicked his tongue. "I did brush my teeth."

"It's not that." Alice pushed against his chest with both hands, looking up at Henry. "Do you know what you did last night?"

Henry raised an eyebrow. "Did we make love in our sleep last night?"

Alice said seriously, "You were sleepwalking last night. I followed you all the way to Swan Lake, where you lingered for about twenty minutes before returning."

Seeing her serious expression, Henry knew Alice wasn't joking. He sat up. "I've never sleepwalked before."

Alice held his arm. "Do you remember what you dreamed about last night?"

Henry shook his head. "I don't remember."

"Let's keep an eye on it. Maybe it's just out of stress." Alice hugged him. "Are you signing the contract today?"

Henry responded, "After signing the contract, let's visit Grandpa and Grandma."

Alice smiled and agreed. "I'll go freshen up now."

Henry nodded. "Alright."

Alice jumped out of bed and went into the bathroom.

Henry lowered his eyes, thinking,'I indeed hadn't dreamed last night. Why did I sleepwalk?'

After breakfast, Henry and Alice went to the golf course, where the sky was clear and the breeze was pleasant.

Erik saw Alice and Henry approaching from a distance, put down his golf club, and walked over. "Good morning! Mr. Howard, Miss Savoy."

Henry nodded. "Good morning. Let's go over the contract details one more time, and then we'll sign it today."

Erik smiled. "Alright, Mr. Howard, let's discuss it inside." He turned and called over a well-dressed woman. "Opal, come here.I am discussing a contract with Mr. Howard; accompany Miss Savoy for a round of golf."

Opal Reynolds sauntered over. "You go ahead, I'll take care of Miss Savoy."

Henry gave Alice's cheek a playful pinch before heading into the private room with Erik.

Opal, keeping a respectful distance, said, "Miss Savoy, shall we play a round?"

Alice nodded and walked with her.

"Mom!" A girl's clear voice came through.

They turned to see Opal's daughter, Gaia Morgan, and Nicole, walking over.

Opal smiled. "This is my daughter, Gaia. And that's Ms. Allen, my daughter's therapist."

Alice asked, "Did you invite Ms. Allen here?"

Opal replied, "Yes, Ms. Allen is very busy. I had to invite her twice before she came. Thanks to her, who is indeed a renowned therapist, my daughter has improved a lot."

Hearing this, Alice dismissed her doubts. They really did invite Nicole here.

Nicole smiled warmly. "Did you sleep well last night?"

Alice smiled back. "Not bad."

"Numerous individuals would bear psychological trauma after enduring the events of yesterday. But you were very brave yesterday, and your techniques were very professional." Nicole looked at her as if trying to see through her.

Alice said, "I've learned some first aid."

"No wonder." Nicole raised her chin. "Interested in a round?"

Alice smiled. "Sure."

They selected their clubs and stood at the tee.

Nicole noticed that Alice's grip, stance, and swing were all very standard, and she narrowed her eyes.

Alice, a bumpkin turned expert appraiser, even played golf so well. This Alice was indeed extraordinary; no wonder Henry was so smitten with her.

She curled her lips. But Alice wouldn't be smug for long.

Alice won against Nicole without holding back.

Gaia whispered, "This Alice is so competitive! This is really disrespectful to Ms. Allen."

Opal glared at her. "Don't talk nonsense. First, Miss Savoy is skilled; why should she give way to Ms. Allen and let her win? Were that the case, the Olympic spirit would be lost to future generations. Secondly, Miss Savoy is Mr. Howard's girlfriend."

Gaia pouted. "I think Ms. Allen is great and a good match for Mr. Howard. I even heard they were college buddies."

Opal frowned. "Watch your words. If you don't want our family to go bankrupt, don't say that again."

Not far away, Nicole put down her club. "I didn't expect you to be so good at golf."

Alice smiled lightly. "Thank you."

At the clubhouse entrance, Henry strode over, "It's time to eat. I ordered your favorite dishes."

"Henry, you're so sweet." Alice said.

Henry affectionately tapped her nose. "Then you should reward me well."

"One should not expect a reward for doing good deeds."

"Of course." Henry laughed, hugging her as they walked into the clubhouse.

Gaia ran to Nicole's side. "Ms. Allen, that Alice is so annoying!"

Nicole smiled. "The Alice you find annoying is someone else's treasure."

She stroked Gaia's hair. "Make sure to perform well later."

Gaia looked at her with worship. "I will."

In the private room, everyone sat around the table, chatting heartily.

At this moment, Gaia walked in, wearing a red dress, and sat diagonally across from Henry.

Henry's mind flashed back to the woman in the red dress, beckoning him. "Come here! Come on!"

Henry closed his eyes, and the woman's figure disappeared again.