Chapter 132

Elsie remembered the last time she came, there weren’t nearly this many lights around. The early summer breeze was just right—fresh and warm. The soft babble of the stream sounded like a gentle tune, and the scent of flowers lingered in the air. In the crystal-clear pond, rare ornamental fish swam gracefully. Bougainvillea in soft pink and white climbed along the walls, blooming wildly in thick clusters. That was her favorite flower, and clearly, it hadn’t been here before. Someone had replanted them for sure. William was holding her hand, leading her forward through the pavilions, walkways, and bridges tucked inside the garden. This Suzhou-style courtyard, hidden right in the middle of the city’s hustle, had been designed by a renowned landscape artist, personally commissioned by Thomas. It had taken years to finish, and just the land alone cost a fortune. Back then, it caught the attention of the Capemont government—they’d even tried to turn it into a tourist site. But no deal could