Chapter 54: The Kiss on the Hand

"Where are your parents?" Irene continued to ask. Leonardo coldly replied, "That's none of your business." He picked up the money on the table, ready to leave. Irene knew these two kids most likely had no parents and probably slept on the streets before. Irene pressed down on the money, causing Leonardo's expression to change. Irene looked at him, smiling, "Are you interested in changing bosses?" Leonardo was taken aback. "You can't get enough to eat or stay warm following them. How about following me?" Irene propped her chin up with her hand, smiling. "I'll pay you a monthly salary for doing some tasks for me. Of course, they are legal tasks." Leonardo was intrigued. He thought for a moment and asked, "How much?" Irene showed him a number. "How about it? Room and board included." Leonardo nodded, "Alright! But we need to sign a contract." Irene nodded, "Naturally." Then she looked at the child hiding behind Leonardo. "Since that's settled, let's print out a contract, sign it, and I'll find a place to settle you two." Irene then took the kids to a print shop. Afterward, she asked Stefan to have his assistant book a double room at a hotel. At the hotel front desk, Irene specifically said, "This is the deposit. I'll pay the rest when we check out tomorrow morning." Leonardo's expression changed slightly. Irene lowered her head, patting his head. "What's wrong?" Leonardo forced a smile, "Haha, nothing. Thank you, boss." "Just call me sister," Irene said, straightening up. In the hotel, they signed the contract. Since Leonardo was still very wary, Irene didn't offer too many benefits, fearing he might run away. "Come to this address tomorrow morning," Irene said before leaving. Leonardo moved closer to look at the address on the paper. The boy beside him, clutching his arm, whispered, "Brother, is this the house of that old lady who gave us bread before?" Leonardo remembered suddenly, patting his brother's head. "Yes, our little Bart is so smart! Brother is not as good as you." Bart gave a shy smile. Leonardo hugged him, and they lay down on the bed. They had eaten too much, so Leonardo couldn't sleep. He started thinking back to the day they met that old lady. At that time, he saw a job posting and was very tempted. He decided to take his brother and try crossing the west side. But they hadn't eaten for two days. Leonardo could endure it, but little Bart couldn't and fainted on his back. Leonardo was frantic, placing Bart by the roadside and asking passersby for help. Several cars passed by, and about a dozen people walked by, but no one stopped, as if they had seen something unlucky. Leonardo was despairing when he saw the old lady. She had a plastic bag in hand, just returned from the supermarket, leaning on a cane. The old lady looked at them with a sympathetic expression. Leonardo watched as she took a bottle of water from the plastic bag, gave it to Bart, and then took out several pieces of bread, jam, and milk for them to eat. She even gave them all her groceries. And some money. At that moment, Leonardo was extremely happy, thinking the future was bright. First, they met a kind person who gave them food and water. Then they were heading to a job interview that could potentially secure a better life for them. But instead, they fell into a trap. Leonardo snapped out of his memories. Bart was already asleep. The hotel's curtains fluttered in the night breeze, soft fabric brushing Leonardo's face. He squinted and fell asleep too. After leaving the hotel, Irene and Stefan found a quiet bar. Stefan was not alone. Though it seemed no one was with him, bodyguards were discreetly following. Stefan ordered a drink, smiling, "Miss Irene is very kind and excellent at fighting." Irene casually said, "I can't stand seeing two kids suffer." Stefan studied her expression, smiling as he asked, "Do you know the little boy we saw earlier?" Seeing Irene's puzzled look, he added, "The smaller one." Irene nodded, her eyes distant as she recalled, "Yes, he looked familiar. I think he's Emma's neighbor." Stefan's gaze deepened, but he said nothing more. It was clear Irene didn't want to continue discussing this topic. She lifted the drink brought by the waiter, holding it gently with her left hand, and took a sip. Stefan hesitated for a moment. Irene was right-handed. Why use her left hand suddenly? Looking at her right hand, he saw a wound on her wrist that had stopped bleeding. Stefan suddenly grabbed her forearm, his tone tinged with displeasure, "What happened?" "Got scraped during the fight," Irene said casually. She was lost in thought about other matters, taking a few seconds to realize what was happening. I'm the one injured, why does Stefan look more upset? Irene was no typical high school girl. She immediately understood the situation. Before she could smile, Stefan's unexpected action left her stunned. Stefan held her fingertips, his cool, soft lips pressing gently against her wrist. Extraordinarily tender. The coolness of Stefan's lips soothed the heat of Irene's wound. Though she often admired handsome men and liked teasing people, she had never been this close to anyone. Irene's hand trembled, trying to pull away. But Stefan firmly yet gently held her forearm, his deep blue eyes intently watching her. In the dim light, Irene couldn't clearly see Stefan's face. In the darkness, other senses became magnified. Irene felt the warmth of Stefan's fingers, the pleasant scent of forest mist from his cologne, and his low, seductive voice, rendering her motionless for a moment. "I might have to go abroad for a while." Irene, feeling a tingling sensation on her wrist, instinctively replied, "I'll adjust your schedule. You can have your bodyguards teach you afterward." She said this while pulling her hand back. Stefan chuckled softly, not pulling her hand back. Irene glanced at him, her ears turning red. She muttered quietly, "If it were anyone else, I'd have beaten them so badly their mother wouldn't recognize them." Stefan had long noticed Irene's weakness for good-looking people. He leaned in closer, smiling, "The road ahead has no surveillance. I'll have Harper escort you home."