Chapter 413: Chapter 413

Landon was in no rush to go back after leaving the room. Instead, he wandered around aimlessly in the Beckett family’s mansion.

In truth, he was strolling aimlessly, hoping to run into someone special. His heart yearned for that petite lady who always appeared downtrodden, her head hanging low.

He wasn’t exactly a saint, but his heart always had a soft spot for that delicate and seemingly forlorn young lady.

“Mr. Harper? Why are you here?” Rosie asked in astonishment as she unexpectedly ran into him.

“Uh… Uh… I… Landon looked sheepish and couldn’t find the right words to say after stammering for a while. Finally, he gathered his courage and mumbled, “Mrs. Rosie, where’s Lauren?”

Rosie looked at him in bewilderment. She couldn’t associate Landon with Lauren in any possible way.

There was no way that this could be happening.

“What are you trying to do? Mr. Harper, don’t you dare to scare her! She’s still young and doesn’t get t meet people often.”

Landon arched his brow. “Mrs. Rosie, you’ve watched me and Jasper grow up. Don’t you know what I’m like?”

“You’re like this toward Jasper,” said Rosie as she gave him a thumbs-up, then she like this toward women.” She gave him a thumbs-down instead.

Landon clasped his hand to his forehead. “How kind of you to say that!” he thought.

ntinued, “But yo He tried hard to explain he wasn’t a playboy. Finally, Rosie reluctantly agreed to bring him to meet Lauren.

“I’ll be right at the door. If you have anything to say, make it quick. It wouldn’t be appropriate if someone saw us like this,” Rosie warned him sternly as she positioned herself by the door.

Landon was amused. “Mrs. Rosie, it’s not like we’re scheming on something. You don’t have to be that anxious.”

After saying that, Landon stepped into the room and closed the door.

Rosie was momentarily stunned, but as she regained her senses, her eyes widened in anger. “This brat! How dare he?”

Landon was shocked as he stepped into Lauren’s room.

Compared to his sister’s luxurious room, Lauren’s room seemed exceptionally plain. There weren’t any decorations aside from the basic furnishing of the mansion. The room looked very empty.

Landon heard some noise from the bedroom, so he approached the room stealthily, slowing his pace.

The door was slightly ajar, so he entered the room quietly. He saw Lauren sitting in front of the spacious desk di scribbling something.

Landon’s eyes dimmed. He quietly approached her from behind as he craned his neck, trying to steal a glance at what she was scribbling.

Suddenly, Landon’s heart skipped a beat, and his pupils contracted.

With her lips pressed together, Lauren was working earnestly on a portrait. It was a portrait of him.

“Phew… All done.” Lauren set down her brush. She smiled as she picked up the portrait, lost in self-

admiration.

“When do you plan to give it to me?”

Startled, Lauren let out a scream and jumped up from the chair. It was already too late when she tried to cover up the painting.

Landon moved quickly, a sly smirk on his face as he snatched the portrait from her thin, fragile arms.

“Gi-Give it back to me!” With her cheeks flushed, Lauren stood on her tiptoes, trying to snatch it back from Landon.

His exceptionally tall and imposing figure was like a mountain she could never ascend.

In her embarrassment, she tugged on his tie while her other hand snaked around his waist, attempting to reach the portrait.

“Ugh! Let go! You’re going to strangle me to death!”

Landon was running out of breath. He had no choice but to bend down and lift her onto the table to alleviate some of the suffocating/discomfort.

“Give it back to me! That’s my painting!” Lauren was reluctant to give up. Her eyes began to well up with tears.

“The person in the painting is me, though. In fact, you’re infringing on my portrait rights, aren’t you?”

As soon as Landon locked eyes with her, his gaze turned intimate. “As compensation, how about you give Lauren was so embarrassed to the point that her cheeks were bright red. She tightened her grip on his tie as she struggled to get away.

Landon’s eyes widened as he stumbled forward, pressing Lauren beneath him. Their lips were just an inch apart.

The kiss they shared last night crossed Landon’s mind again. He immediately felt a searing heat rushing to his head.

“Uh, it tickles.”

Lauren turned away swiftly. His breath, tinged with a hint of tobacco, made her ticklish.

Her heart was pounding fast.

Landon’s vision blurred for a moment. Her body felt so soft, even softer than his branded mattress, making him reluctant to get up.

In the end, he successfully reined in his wild desires and straightened himself up. His breath was slightly ragged, and his eyes were glistening with emotion. 1 Despite being an adult, Lauren had a petite and fragile appearance, almost as if she had been bor underweight. As she curled up on the table, she appeared delicate and vulnerable.