Chapter 144 Your Mouth is Really Sweet
Since Leopold had started boarding at his high school, his time with Quinlan had dwindled to almost nothing. As he grew older, the resemblance to a young Preston became more pronounced, and for Quinlan, who had never quite managed to climb out of the hole that man had dug for her, seeing that face was a constant, painful reminder. It made her deliberately keep her distance.
Leopold never understood why she treated him this way until a heated argument sent the truth spilling from her lips. She had screamed at him, her voice raw with years of buried pain, that he was the spitting image of his father. Looking at him was like staring at the man who had ruined her life and branded her with a reputation she could never escape.
It was after that fight that Leopold decided to live on campus. Their meetings became even more infrequent, and for college, he chose a prestigious university abroad.
During those years overseas, his contact was limited to a perfunctory message on New Year's and her birthday.
Over time, the relationship between mother and son had become strained and cool, an uncomfortable expanse of unspoken history.
Now, the idea of Quinlan living with them felt awkward not just for her, but for Leopold as well.
Living in separate cities had become the most comfortable arrangement for them both.
When Quinlan finally emerged from the walk-in closet, fully dressed and composed, Caroline's eyes lit up. Quinlan wore a long dress, traditional yet undeniably elegant, that seemed to gather all the light in the room onto its surface.
The deep blue fabric, embroidered with intricate gold patterns, shimmered seductively under the lights. The cut of the dress was perfectly tailored, cinching at her waist to accentuate her graceful figure without sacrificing its stately air.
Her long hair was swept up, a style that highlighted her refined and noble features.
As she moved, the golden flowers on her dress seemed to sway with her, a beautiful, fluid dance that complemented her every step.
There was a unique depth in Quinlan's gaze, a look that seemed to see through everything while simultaneously holding a universe of stories within.
"I've seen so many beautiful women," Caroline said, her praise utterly genuine, "but I think you might be the most beautiful of them all."
A smile touched Quinlan's eyes and lips. "You have such a sweet tongue."
"No, I mean it. You're stunning," Caroline insisted, her eyes scanning her mother-in-law's ensemble. "Mom, I can't even imagine how breathtaking you must have been when you were younger."
Quinlan found herself more at ease with Caroline than she ever was with Leopold. "You certainly know how to give a compliment."
"Is this the only suitcase, Mom?" Caroline asked.
"Just this one," Quinlan confirmed.
Leopold walked over in silence and lifted the suitcase.
The car was parked in its designated spot downstairs. He had just placed the luggage in the trunk when he turned to find that both women had already settled into the back seat together.
Leopold fell silent.
He slid into the driver's seat and pulled out his phone, quickly typing a message to Caroline on WhatsApp.
Leopold: [Come sit up front.]
But Caroline had no chance at all to check her phone, as she was deeply engaged in a lively conversation with Quinlan.
How was he supposed to endure the six-hour drive back alone?
He stalled, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel, his eyes flicking to the rearview mirror. He could see Caroline, her face animated as she looked through Quinlan's photo album, listening intently as the older woman recounted the stories behind each picture.
The signal he was sending was completely missed by its intended target, but not, it seemed, by the other passenger.
"What are you dawdling for?" Quinlan's voice cut through his thoughts. "Drive."
"I know," Leopold muttered.
The highway stretched out before them, a monotonous ribbon of asphalt that only magnified his solitude. He had no one to talk to, no one to hand him a snack. In the back, the two women seemed to have an endless supply of topics, their chatter a low, constant murmur. Midway through the journey, Leopold pulled into a rest stop.
As soon as the car stopped, Quinlan was pulling Caroline along with her toward the restrooms.
Left alone, Leopold walked over to the designated smoking area and lit a cigarette. A man next to him, Vance Long, gestured with an unlit cigarette of his own.
"Hey, man. Got a light?"
Leopold handed him his lighter. "Where are you headed?" Vance asked, taking a drag.
"Seaside City," he replied.
"No kidding? We're on the same route. Headed to Seaside City, too." Vance nodded toward a white RV parked not far away. "Taking the whole family on a road trip. My parents have always wanted to see Seaside City. Any good spots you'd recommend?"
Leopold, familiar with the area, began to list off a few places, mentioning Solstice Mountain as a highlight.
"We were actually planning to go there," Vance said. "But the only five-star hotel on the mountain, the Celestial Waters, is completely booked. I checked the app last night, not a single room left."
Leopold's hand, holding the cigarette, paused mid-air. Booked? That couldn't be right.
He raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"
"Don't believe me?" Vance pulled out his phone and opened a booking app. Sure enough, the page for the Celestial Waters Hotel displayed a stark, uninviting message: All rooms were fully booked.
Leopold communicated with Lily, his hotel manager, almost daily. She sent him reports on occupancy and revenue, and just yesterday, the hotel had only been at seventy percent capacity.
Maintaining a neutral expression, he took out his own phone. "I have a friend who works there. Let me ask for you."
Vance's face broke into a wide grin. "That would be amazing! If you can get us a room, I'd owe you big time."
Leopold held his cigarette between his teeth and walked a few paces away, dialing Lily's number. She answered almost immediately.
"Mr. Wipere."
"Are there any vacant rooms at the hotel?" Leopold asked directly.
"Yes, of course," Lily replied without hesitation. "For how many people?"
"Two deluxe rooms. One of them needs a crib."
"I'll arrange it right away," Lily confirmed.
"Check the booking apps," Leopold instructed, his tone hardening slightly. "They're showing we're fully booked."
"What? That can't be," she said, surprised.
"Check every single booking platform we use. Now."
A beat of silence passed before Lily spoke again, realization dawning in her voice. "That explains why our occupancy rates have been dropping lately."
Leopold turned back to Vance. "Hey, man. Two deluxe rooms work? One with a crib for you."
Vance's eyes widened, and he nodded vigorously. "You got them? Seriously? Thank you so much!"
"What day are you checking in? And the name?"
"Tomorrow afternoon, around one. The name's Vance Long."
Leopold relayed the information to Lily. "Put both rooms on my account."
Vance immediately protested. "No way, man. I can't let you do that. We'll pay for it."
Leopold ended the call. "Don't worry about it. You pointing this out just did me a huge favor. If anything, I should be thanking you."
Vance looked at him, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. "Who are you?"
"I'm the manager of the Celestial Waters Hotel," Leopold said, offering a small smile. "Leopold Wipere."
Vance's expression shifted from gratitude to surprise, and he extended his hand. "What a coincidence. Mr. Wipere, it's a pleasure."
"Just Leopold is fine," he said, shaking the man's hand.
"I can't believe it," Vance continued, still smiling. "I just wanted to borrow a lighter and ended up meeting the hotel manager. Seriously, thank you."
It was a major headache for Vance, but for Leopold, it was a simple fix.
"It's my pleasure. When you get to Solstice Mountain, make sure to use the hot springs. They're great for easing arthritis in the elderly. We also have pools for women focused on beauty and wellness, and the kids' water park has a ton of activities. It's perfect for families," Leopold explained. "The Celestial Waters Hotel welcomes you. Stay as long as you like."
Vance wasn't clueless. "Can't stay too long. Two or three days at most before we head to the next stop. I'm a travel blogger, been to over thirty cities across the country. Got a few million followers now. My whole thing started with just documenting trips with my family, and it just blew up."
"I spent the first few years traveling abroad, but this trip across the country has really opened my eyes. Our own country has so much to offer, so much to see. From south to north, you've got oceans, mountains, snow, clouds… anything you could want. And we have something they don't: a rich, living history, ancient architecture that's still standing strong. You could never see it all. Along the way, I've met so many kind and generous people like you. It's making me realize that domestic travel offers so much more value. No matter what's happening in the world, the best views are right here."
Just then, Leopold saw Quinlan and Caroline emerge from the rest stop building.
Vance finished his cigarette. "Will I see you at the hotel?"
Leopold smiled. "You will. Take down my number. If you have any problems, just call me directly."
"Sounds good. We'll grab a drink next time we meet," Vance said, saving the number. "My video account is 'Vance's Family Travels.' Same name on all platforms, easy to remember. You can look me up. I'll be sure to give the Celestial Waters Hotel a great shout-out."
Leopold nodded. "If you're willing, I'd appreciate that. I can, of course, compensate you for any promotion."
Vance frowned. "Don't even talk about money. That's just insulting. I can't take your money for this."
"Then I won't insist," Leopold conceded. "Thank you."
When Leopold got back into the car, Caroline's curiosity was piqued. "Who was that? You two were talking for a while."
Leopold briefly explained what had happened. Caroline, intrigued, immediately searched for the name on her phone. "He has over 9.7 million followers."
Her announcement surprised even Leopold. A following that large could drive a significant amount of traffic to the hotel.
Quinlan stared out the window, her expression unreadable. He could turn any situation into a business deal. Indeed, like father, like son.