Chapter 394 Missing

Chapter 394 Missing

After Leopold handed over the keys to the Tudor Mansion in Suncrest City to Maddox, he rushed to finish the Bed and Breakfast design. After communicating online, they tweaked some details and finalized everything.

As for the renovation, Maddox contacted a local construction company to start work immediately. He sent a designer to supervise the project, giving them an extra pair of eyes throughout the construction period.

During this time, Maddox had helped Leopold a lot, so he planned to treat Maddox to dinner. There was another reason too - Caroline was away on a business trip, and eating alone was boring.

During lunch break, Leopold called Maddox and asked, "Are you free tonight?"

Maddox said, "Tell me what it's about first, then I can decide if I have time."

Leopold teased him on purpose, "There's another project."

Maddox had been running himself ragged. Hearing there was more work, he said, "No time."

Leopold said, "Money's no problem."

Maddox said, "You might not be short on money, but I'm short on life. Even a robot can't work like this. Think about it - I've been exhausted these past two months. I'm not kidding, I've worn out a pair of shoes from all the running around."

Leopold laughed, "I know you've been working hard. I'm treating you to dinner tonight."

Maddox: "That's more like it. If you're talking about dinner, I have time."

Leopold smiled, "Order whatever you want."

Maddox said, "If you're talking about going to a restaurant, forget it. I've been eating out so much these past two months, I'm sick of it. How about this - you buy the groceries and let's eat at your place."

Leopold agreed readily, "Sure, what do you want to eat?"

Maddox listed several dishes, and Leopold headed straight to the market after leaving the office.

Speaking of the market, Leopold was quite famous there. Everyone who saw him would greet him as Elysia's son-in-law.

Amid all the compliments, Leopold gradually lost himself and gradually bought more.

In the end, he walked out of the market carrying way more food than they could possibly eat.

After getting home, he started washing and prepping the vegetables, keeping himself very busy.

By the time Maddox finished meeting with a client and left the office, it was almost 7 PM. Walking into Leopold's home and counting the dishes on the table, he exclaimed, "My God, twelve dishes! Impressive. This is the first time you've treated me so lavishly."

"Go wash your hands," Leopold said, heading to the fridge for beer. Maddox stopped him, asking, "I'm a bit worried - we agreed this meal doesn't come with any strings attached, right? You're not adding more work for me?"

Leopold said, "No, hurry up. I'm starving."

Maddox asked, "Why did you make so much food?"

Leopold was too embarrassed to admit he'd lost himself in all the compliments, so he just said, "I saw how hard you've been working and wanted to reward you."

"Friends really know how to take care of each other. Come here for a hug," Maddox pretended to hug Leopold, who pushed him away. "Two guys hugging is gross."

The problem with too much food appeared - Maddox didn't know which dish to eat first.

His fork traced a circle in the air. Leopold was pouring him beer and said, "Why aren't you eating?"

Maddox laughed, "Happiness came so suddenly, I'm a bit overwhelmed."

After a few rounds of drinks, Maddox started talking about all the difficulties Erica was facing in her second trimester. As the baby grew, fetal movements became frequent. Not only did she have to go to the bathroom more often at night, but she also occasionally had stomach pains and swollen calves. Watching her like that, Maddox's eyes were full of concern.

"I have to take Erica for a prenatal checkup tomorrow, so I can't drink anymore." Maddox picked up his glass, "One last drink. Any more and I'm afraid I'll mess things up tomorrow."

Mentioning the hospital reminded Leopold that when Caroline came back, he should take her to see Wyatt too.

Before leaving, Maddox packed up a few dishes Erica liked. They'd mostly just been drinking - the food was barely touched.

After cleaning up, Leopold looked at the clock - it was almost 10 PM.

He opened a video call with Caroline, but it rang for a long time without being accepted.

Leopold turned over, looking at the pillow she'd slept on, pulled it into his arms, and said, "Honey, this home doesn't work without you."

Just as he finished speaking, a video request came through.

Leopold immediately grabbed his phone and accepted. When Caroline appeared on screen, she was wearing pajamas with her hair wrapped in a towel. She said, "I just went to take a shower."

Leopold said, "Honey, when are you coming back?"

Caroline said, "The original plan was tomorrow, but something came up."

"What could be more important than me?" Leopold said.

Caroline explained, "I'm at a conference in Lunaris City. A manager I met there mentioned there's an offshore wind power project nearby. I want to go check it out - it's a rare opportunity."

Leopold sighed and tossed his phone aside. Caroline could only see the ceiling as she heard Leopold say through the video, "I'm a hot-blooded man, left at home by my wife. She's been gone for seven or eight days. Who can stand this? What if I get impulsive and accidentally..."

"Leopold!"

"I'm here." Leopold picked up the phone. "It's settled - the day after tomorrow, you have to come back the day after tomorrow."

Caroline said, "I'll definitely be back the day after tomorrow."

Leopold asked again, "What time?"

Caroline estimated, "Afternoon. By the time I get to Seaside City, it'll be after 4 PM."

Leopold was about to complain it was too late, then remembered he had to meet a client that afternoon. "Fine, 4 PM. It's settled."

Caroline said, "Get some rest."

"Good night, Ms. Tudor."

After the video call, Leopold felt even more restless, truly feeling tortured.

These three days dragged on, and Leopold kept feeling like something was missing, making him irritable.

Erik glanced at Leopold passing by the door and sent a WhatsApp message to Lily.

Erik: [Don't provoke Leopold lately.]

Lily: [What's wrong?]

Erik: [Can't you tell? He's in a highly flammable and explosive state right now.]

Lily: [Why?]

Erik: [Ms. Tudor isn't home.]

Lily: [You even know that?]

Lily was surprised.

Erik: [This week he's asked me to dinner four times already.]

Lily: [What?]

Erik: [If Ms. Tudor were home, he wouldn't have time to go out for dinner.]

Lily: [I see.]

Suddenly, Leopold called out, "Erik!"

Erik's heart jumped to his throat, but he replied calmly, "Coming."

Lily: [Stay safe.]

Erik exhaled and typed: [Got it.]

Sure enough, that evening Erik was dragged into working overtime with Leopold.

Erik delivered the finished document to Leopold's office. Leopold glanced at it, "You finished it so quickly?"

Erik said, "Weren't you in a hurry? You made me work overtime to rush it out."

Leopold said, "So you're done?"

Erik said, "Yes."

Leopold glanced at the clock on his computer - it was only a little past 8 PM. Going home now, it would still be early before bedtime.

His eyes scanned around the desk. Erik said, "Leopold, I just started dating someone. Give me some time, will you? If this girlfriend runs off, I'll probably die alone. You don't want that, right?"

Leopold nodded, "But it's too early now. I don't have anything to do if I go home."

Erik said, "How about you keep Oscar and Liam for overtime tomorrow? They're both single and don't have anything going on."

Leopold fell silent.

That could work.

If Oscar and Liam knew at this moment that Erik had recommended them as the unlucky ones to get the "honor" of overtime company, they would definitely give him a piece of their mind.